By Gift Chanda
Musika Development Initiative Zambia Limited
has signed a US $20 million agreement with the
Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (SIDA) aimed at supporting
the growth of Zambia's agriculture sector.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held in
Lusaka today, Wednesday 28th March, Musika
Board Chairperson Mrs Grace Bwanali said the
funds will assist in making Musika's 2018 to
2021 Business Strategy operational.
“The US $20 million agreement will assist in
operationalising Musika's 2018 to 2021
business strategy focusing on four key
investment areas which include; business and
finance, agricultural technology, agricultural
diversification and environment,” Mrs Bwanali
said.
She said Musika will continue supporting
private investment in agricultural markets while
expanding support to investments in the
renewable energy market that benefits rural
producers and consumers of clean energy.
And Swedish Deputy Head of Mission in
Zambia, Karin Sverkén applauded Musika for its
contribution to the development of the
agriculture sector in Zambia, saying the firm
has worked hard at getting private companies
to understand the benefit of engaging with
smallholder farmers.
She pointed out that for development in
agricultural sector to take place, farmers' access
to markets was crucial.
“Sweden has supported Musika since the
beginning of its activities in 2011 to 2012.
Through the years, Musika has managed to
partner with 76 companies, all of them
investing in agriculture and engaging with
smallholder farmers,” she said.
Sverken pointed out that Zambia was scarcely
populated and as a result, few companies were
previously interested in investing in the
agricultural sector except for the commercial
farmers. However, this scenario had changed
due to implementation of various interventions
by Musika.
Meanwhile, Musika Board member Mr Chance
Kabaghe said the financial support from SIDA to
Musika will trigger Zambia's economic growth.
He said this comes at a time that government
has exhibited strong commitment to growing
the sector.
As a result of Musika's interventions with the
private companies, a total of about 420,000
farmers nationwide have benefitted from
improved market access for inputs, agricultural
products, technologies, services and finance
across a wide range of commodity and livestock
sectors since 2012.
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About the Author:
Gift Chanda is a Communications Officer
at Musika Development Initiative Zambia Limited.
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