Farmers appeal for protection from cadres
THE Local Government ministry should assist farmers to access the markets for their produce without interference from political cadres.
Peasant farmers, small - medium and large scale farmers should be assisted in accessing their off takers (marketeers) and protected from political cadres in the markets, according to the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) president, Chabuka Kawesha.
“We urge and encourage the local authorities and policy makers to keep market trading places and politics party separated.
“Cadres want jobs, then create platforms that will help them entreprise and build their own financial base and growth opportunities,” Dr Kawesha said in an interview.
He emphasised that the farmers should be protected due to the insecurity, unhealthy environment and a gun-culture that breeds out of the markets.
ZACCI, he said, would therefore like to advise local Government authorities to uphold its decision to promote and bring sanity in the market trading places.
“Do not reverse your gains otherwise you will set a bad trend and promote policy inconsistency. We all know how investors both local and foreign react to policy inconsistencies,” he said.
“The higher risk we run of bringing political cadres into markets places is that you block peasant farmers, small - medium and large scale farmers from accessing their offtakers (marketeers) due to the insecurity, unhealthy environment and a gun-culture that breeds out of the markets,” Dr Kawesha said.
He indicated that Government must without delay facilitate the creation of a model for new residential markets were many of the traders including street vendors can enterprise as well as grow in various goods developments and services.
“Other options Government can consider is to send the graduated and graduating youth spotting markets if there is no space for Skills and enterprise development to the Zambia National Services, TEVETA skills platforms and institutions as well as surviving State farms,” he suggested.