Government says value addition in agriculture is key to
promoting sustainable development and job creation in
rural areas.
And Government targets to bring 17,500 hectares of land
under irrigation, construct multipurpose dams and upscale
sustainable utilisation of wetlands.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Given Lubinda said
Government is creating an enabling environment for
industries and enterprises to engage in value addition of
agricultural products.
Mr Lubinda said this during his presentation at Zambia
Institute of Chartered Accountants annual business
conference in Livingstone.
“Industrialisation anchored on agriculture is the fastest way
to achieve poverty reduction, wealth creation and holds the
greatest potential for sustained economic growth,” Mr
Lubinda said.
He said Government is committed to accelerating
implementation of the diversification strategy through crop
diversification, livestock breeding centres and promoting
aquaculture.
He said Government has embarked on irrigation
development to mitigate crop failure, increase resilience of
the agricultural sector to climate change and offer farmers
the opportunity to grow a variety of crops.
Mr Lubinda also said the ministry is committed to
accelerating farm block development for commercialisation
of agriculture.
“Each farming block is designed to have at least one core
large-scale farm [core venture] of 10 000 hectares.
Government has prioritised development of three farm
blocks namely Nansanga, Kalumwange and Luena,”Mr
Lubinda said.
He said the agriculture sector supports the livelihoods of
over 70 percent of the population, mostly rural based
households.
He said the sector contributes about 20 percent to gross
domestic product (GDP) offering the greatest opportunity for
economic growth, poverty reduction, job and wealth
creation.
Commenting on aquaculture, Mr Lubinda said the country is
able to produce up to 260,000 metric tonnes of fish per year. LT
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