UPL, Advanta Seeds inaugurate drought-tolerant seed varieties projects

UPL and Advanta Seeds have inaugurated a series of successful pilot projects for drought-tolerant seed varieties.

Speaking during the visit of Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) at Mount Makulu in Chilanga where UPL and Advanta Seeds operate, President Hakainde Hichilema said this programme is one of the many measures that are aimed at making Zambia food secure by developing adaptive seed varieties for the staple food.

President Hichilema said this will also increase biofuels thereby reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

President Hichilema said Government is looking forward to the full implementation of this initiative and many other such projects.

Mr Hichilema has since called on UPL and Advanta Seeds to collaborate with each other so as to avoid duplication of efforts as the country develop climate resilient crop varieties.

“We are privileged to visit the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute at Mount Makulu in Chilanga where UPL and Advanta Seeds have formally inaugurated a series of successful pilot projects for drought-tolerant seed varieties, a brain child of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).

This programme is one of the many measures that are aimed at making Zambia food secure by developing adaptive seed varieties for our staple foods and biofuels as we reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

“This has been one of the most challenging periods in history for farmers in Zambia, with floods last year and droughts today, a pure manifestation of climate change,”he said.

Mr Hichilema said government has made a commitment to stand alongside farmers and to give them the tools they need to adapt, grow, and thrive.