By Josiah Mpofu
Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo has announced that government will this year employ 800 agricultural extension officers.
Mr. Mtolo explained that the officers will assist smallholder farmers with knowledge which will increase their productivity.
He noted that agricultural officers plays an important role in providing services such as the utilization of proper agronomical practices by smallholder farmers in the country.
Mr. Mtolo said government remains committed to employing more extension officers across the country to help balance the ratio of extension officers to farmers which is currently at 1:2000 instead of 1:400.
He said this when he officiated at the consultative meeting for the formulation of the Country Food and Agriculture Delivery Compact Document in Lusaka.
“The compact is expected to outline the gaps in food production in Zambia by highlighting ways of bridging the gaps to double productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries. The document will also find ways of effectively deploying agricultural technologies and ways of developing needed infrastructure, markets and financing frame works that will deliver impacts for smallholder farmers,” explained Mr. Mtolo.
Meanwhile, the Minister has emphasized the need for African countries to work together in developing initiatives that will address challenges facing the agriculture sector.
Mr. MTOLO observed that among the challenges, is the conflict between Ukraine and Russia that has led to a sharp increase in food and fertilizer prices.
He added that climate change has also worsened resulting into increased floods, droughts and pest infestation thereby leading to food insecurity of most African countries.
And Fisheries and Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote said government will always support interventions formulated by agricultural stakeholders that will address challenges hindering the sector to realize its full potential.
Mr. Chikote stated that the crop, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors are currently experiencing various challenges such as disease and pest infestation among others which require private sector participation.
Meanwhile, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa-AGRA- Consultant Thule Lenneiye said the organization is ready to partner with government in addressing challenges being faced by smallholder farmers in Zambia.
And Troika Chairman Mathias Reusing said the organization has deepened collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to help Zambia become a hub for agricultural production.
“This is a step in the right direction to not only galvanize food security of the country but also to turn Zambia into a country that exports food commodities to its neighboring countries and beyond,” said Mr. Reusing.
Mr. Reusing said Troika has started developing interventions that will assist smallholder farmers in Zambia graduate from subsistence farming to commercial production.
“The recipe to support smallholder farmers to escape the poverty trap includes, diversification of production, increasing productivity, promoting integrated approaches, reducing deforestation and promoting value addition,” explained Mr. Reusing. -NAIS
