EXPEDITE CROP DIVERSIFICATION, GOVT URGED

GOVERNMENT

has been urged to consider implementing a well-known crop diversification agenda, as stakeholders call for the patenting of local foods such as Chikanda and Chibwantu which have now been commercialised.

Hivos Health Food Africa Manager, William Chilufya, said his organisation undertook research on the food diversification agenda.

Mr Chilufya said the food diversification agenda had been affected as resources had been prioritised to the health sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This, he explained, called for the implementation of a well-known crop diversification agenda and that maize should not be the only priority.

He was speaking during the annual traditional seed and food festival which is commemorated on World Food day. “As we commemorate World Food week, we are called upon to grow crops or rather produce our foods in a manner that nourish our bodies, in doing all these sustainability is critical.

“So the focus on maize alone doesn’t bring in the nourish aspect we call on the government for this other part nourishment and sustainable part to come in,” Mr Chilufya said.

Ministry of Agriculture acting Permanent Secretary, Moses Mwale, said despite the country having over 3000 indigenous local foods, agriculture production and consumption was concentrated on a minimal range of crops, vegetables and imported goods.

Mr Mwale noted that scaling up sustainable food and farming systems offered an immense opportunity of tackling the cross cutting national development goals in a holistic manner.

Caritas Zambia Executive Director, Eugene Kabilika, called for the patenting of local foods such as Chikanda and Chibwantu which are now being commercialised.