Diversification of economy key - Kapita
NORTH WESTERN Province Minister Richard Kapita has commended government’s continued efforts to diversify the economy by promoting the agriculture sector to avoid over dependence on mining.
Speaking at the Trident Foundation in Kalumbila, Mr Kapita said North-Western Province was blessed with steady rainfall, a season that gave every farmer an opportunity to prepare their fields and grow not only maize but a variety of agriculture produce.
He said government had identified the agricultural sector as a driver of economic diversification and job creation.
He said the intentions by government to diversify the economy are enshrined in the National Agriculture Policy and were commendable.
‘’The goal is for Zambia to be a net exporter of food and become the food basket of the Common Market for East and Southern Africa,’’ he said.
He said the decision to help over 600 farmers in the 2016/2017 farming season by providing subsidised inputs by the Trident Foundation was recommendable.
He appealed to the farmers through the foundation that signed up for the 2017/2018 farming season to take advantage of the project and make agriculture sustainable.
He further commended the foundation for the market linkages programme that had empowered local farmers to grow and sell vegetables.
He said the move had resulted in 200 farmers regularly supply vegetables worth K782,790 to the mining town by the end of the year 2017.