AGRO TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT KEY, SAYS MUMBA
INVESTMENTS in agricultural technology and scientific research are key drivers in economic growth at both macro and micro levels if well managed, University of Zambia (UNZA) vice-chancellor Luke Mumba has said.
Prof. Mumba said investment in agricultural technologies, research and training was in line with the 7th National Development Plan which emphasized on diversification of the national economy through agricultural development.
He said it was for this reason that a seminar, with lectures and experiments conducted by professors and experts from Jilin Agricultural University (JAU) on modern techniques and best practices was organised.
Prof Mumba said this during the closing ceremony of the first ever International Seminar on Modern Agricultural Techniques at the Agricultural Technologies Demonstration Centre, UNZA's Liempe farm.
He said that the seminar attracted about 32 participants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
“The seminar lectures and experiments were conducted by professors and experts from Jilin Agricultural University (JAU) on modern techniques and best practices as well as experiences in agricultural production,” said Prof Mumba.
And visiting JAU president, Prof. Feng Jiang said that his university was committed to the achievement of the objectives and targets of the mutual partnership with UNZA.
Prof. Feng said the cooperation between UNZA and JAU would strive to promote and enhance agricultural production and agribusiness entrepreneurship through development of technologies and scientific research.
He said the construction and operationalisation of the Agricultural Technologies Demonstration Centre at UNZA’s Liempe farm was evidence of the strong commitment and cooperation between JAU and UNZA.
The JAU team was in the country to conduct the seminar on new agricultural techniques.
The team also familiarised itself with the developments of the memorandum of understanding between UNZA and JAU which was signed in May 2016.
The key areas of interest included joint international research laboratory, maize milling and processing plant project, staff exchange programme, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation project and the governance of the agricultural technologies demonstration centre.