EU cites Zambia’s farming setbacks

INSUFFICIENT access to quality inputs, good advisory services, mechanisation and market hinders high level productivity in the agriculture sector, it has been learnt.

European Union (EU) advisor for agriculture and rural development in Zambia, Marion Michaud has observed said the EU would remain supportive of the agricultural activities in Zambia and had to this effect finalised an 87 million euros package for the development of agriculture in country.

Speaking to the media at the sidelines of the monitoring visit of electronic farmer registration in Kabwe, Ms Michaud said the identified challenges prevented farmers in the country from having high productivity levels which she described as below the required standard.

“There are still a number of challenges that prevent farmers from making a living from agricultural which include, insufficient access to quality inputs, good advisory services, mechanisms and market.

“These prevent them from having high level of production because productivity levels in Zambia are still below the level is should be," said Ms Michaud.

And the EU agricultural advisor for Zambia has described the agriculture policies that government has put in place as good.

She highlighted the National Agriculture Investment Programme and the approved Second National Policy as some of good agriculture policies that government had put in place.

Ms Michaud however pointed out that implementation of these policies was a challenge for government because farmers were scattered around the country.

“The agriculture policies that government has put in place are good but the challenge was implementation because the country is big with a small population and farmers are scattered making it difficult for government to implement these policies," said Ms Michaud.