By Balewa Zyuulu
The National Association for Small Holder Farmers says government must put in place measures that will enable Zambians to benefit from the agreement between Zambia and Kenya which will allow Kenyan commercial farmers to grow maize in Zambia for export to that country.
Zambia and Kenya have provisionally agreed on a deal under which authorities will provide Kenyan commercial farmers with land to grow maize and according to Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, the deal between the two countries could see the cost of maize in that country drop.
Commenting on this development, Association Deputy Executive Director Noel Simukonde says it will also be important for the Zambian government to take advantage of such agreements to actualize the farming block concept which has the potential to facilitate agricultural land and rural development and encourage private sector investment.
Mr. Simukonde says the agricultural sector in Zambia is the backbone of the rural economy and forms an integral part of the country’s poverty reduction strategies for rural households, and as such requires urgent attention.
CREDIT: PHOENIX NEWS
