ZAMBIANS MUST CHANGE MINDSET ON AGRICULTURE – LUSAMBO

By MAILESI BANDA COPPERBELT Minister Bowman Lusambo says there is need for a change of mindset by farmers from treating agriculture production for household consumption to a business that could be a source of an annual income.

The minister said treating agriculture as a business will help in the development of the economy as the farmers will not only contribute to the national food basket but also promote national economic development through exports.

Mr. Lusambo said with the many water resources Zambia has, farmers should embrace the use of irrigation technology to increase production and sell the excess produce for an income.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Lusambo said embracing technology in the agriculture sector was the only way the sector would increase production and meet both the local and export demand.

“Agriculture products are in high demand in neighboroing countries and as a country we have the natural resources to be able to feed the sub Saharan region, if we embrace the use of technology and capitalise on our natural resources,” he said.

He also said increased production will only be attained if farmers looked at agriculture as a business opportunity rather than just producing for consumption.

Mr. Lusambo said Zambian farmers should take a leaf from other countries that have grown their economies through advancement in the agriculture sector.

He added that while the government had taken up the leading role in formulating supporting policies, stakeholders needed to support the government efforts.

“Government has been treating the agriculture sector as key in the economic diversification agenda it is therefore important that stakeholders in the agriculture value chain supports the pronouncements made by the government,” Mr. Lusambo said.

He called for private sector participation in the implementation of development programmes in the agriculture sector, saying active participation from the private sector would help farmers look at agriculture differently.