‘Higher production, higher security’

INCREASING agricultural diversification is vital for improving food security, nutrition and diets, a non-governmental organisation has said.

Hivos says diversification has also important socio-economic and climate-resilience benefits.

This is according to the report of ‘Beyond Maize’ study released by Hivos.

The report says Zambia’s policy framework has a strong focus on diversifying the agriculture sector, but has not translated it into significant diversification on the farm or on the plate.

And Hivos senior programmes manager sustainable diets Frank Mechielsen says Zambia had the potential to grow lots of food beyond maize, which would make it easy to feed the nation.

Mr Mechielsen said the ‘Sustainable Foods for All’ programme was aimed at advocating policy change for governments to effectively embrace food diversification.

Hivos believed Zambia’s crop production diversification would mitigate foot shortages. The report indicates that to successfully support agricultural diversification, a coherent and coordinated policy framework and market environment for entrepreneurial and sustainable small-scale agriculture should be put in place.

And Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo says with climate change effects becoming severe on food production, there is an urgent need for crop diversification to avert and mitigate the negative impact and increase income for households.

He commended CSOs and cooperating partners who were working with Government on diversification efforts.