TURKEY OFFERS AGRO HELP
TURKEY’S Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Livestock has pledged to offer to Zambia, capacity-building in livestock development, fisheries, agriculture and climate resilience to enable the sectors emerge more robust and contribute effectively to economic development.
This follows the representations that were made by the Zambian mission in Turkey, Charge d’ Affaires Bwalya Nondo, when he conferred with Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock International Relations DirectorGeneral Ali Recep Nazli in that country.
Mr Nondo said the Zambian government and President Edgar Lungu had placed Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock sectors, high on the country’s development agenda, given the inherent potential to stimulate economic growth and overall development of the country.
He underscored the need and importance of value-addition in the agricultural sector as key to the enhancement of the viability of the industry for economic development.
During the meeting, it was also agreed that the Zambian Mission with the facilitation of Turkey’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, would conduct a symposium targeting the farming community, to project Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries sectors in Zambia, and available investment opportunities.
And Turkey' s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock international relations directorgeneral Ali Recep Nazli said his ministry would provide skills in agro-processing, link the private sectors to Turkish partners to ensure technology transfer.
Mr Nazli said apart from tailor-made programmes for officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and that of Livestock and Fisheries, his ministry would also invite private sector players for training in agro-processing as a way of helping Zambia to attain proficiency in the industry.
Mr Nazli also announced the possibility of his ministry undertaking a technical familiarisation tour of Zambia during which the private sector in agro-processing would be engaged to identify their needs for growth and sustainable production.