It is clear we have not harnessed the full potential we posses to revamp our economy at various levels, leading to value addition and reduced cost of essential commodities such as food.
With fluctuations in mineral prices which have been the backbone of our foreign exchange earnings, we seriously need to accelerate growth in other more sustainable economic sectors, especially in the areas of agriculture and tourism.
And it is also not in dispute that we need to eat everyday regardless of the other economic activities we maybe involved in, hence the need for affordable food.With affordable food also comes other benefits such as increased nutrition for our people and as a result reduced illness and less stress on our medical facilities.
It is also not in dispute that agriculture is one of the largest informal sector employers, especially for our women and youths in rural communities.Nonetheless, the vast potential of Zambian agriculture remains largely untapped.
Actually in one presentation we got, the overall African picture is that, if well supported, the agricultural output could triple–from an estimated USD280 billion today to around USD800 billion by 2030.
Urban food markets are expected to increase four fold and, overall, Africa’s demand for food is projected to triple by 2050, increasing by 178% compared to 89% in India and 31% in China over the same period.
Yet today, African agriculture attracts only an average of 5.8% of total commercial lending, a strong signal that the majority of investors are not yet buying into the potential of the sector.
We need to develop interventions for our farmers and businesses to accessing domestic and regional markets.Food processing and other “value-added” agriculture activities—and the employment, income, and investment opportunities that come with them must be developed locally and dependence on imports reduced.
This is only possible if we fully develop our agriculture technologies and related industries in all corners of our great country.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPNd president
HH is very hardworking. Once he is voted into power the face of agriculture will change. Zambia will become a breadbasket in the region.
LusakaTimes, HH and GBM went for the funerals in Bauleni to mourn and comfort. They also donated mealie meal and other items to the affected families.
Sad but it is true and HH is right “… Actually in one presentation we got, the overall African picture is that, if well supported, the agricultural output could triple–from an estimated USD280 billion today to around USD800 billion by 2030”, said HH.
There is a sigma somehow associated with agriculture but it is the single most economic driver in many places. For instance, Florida is the 4th largest economy in the US and it’s number one GDP contributor is agriculture followed by tourism.
We have enough land and water resources to turn every unemployed Zambian into a farmer, we have a market in SADC alone that is greater than 450 Million reachable within 4 hours of Lusaka by air. This is a huge market by any measure … diversification is key
This is day dreaming only.
HH stop the panda pandering politics. Get to the point.
How you will win 2016 elections with 100% 1 province and 60% 2 provinces.
While ECL has 7 100% provinces with 40% 3 provinces.
Job losses on the mines will not be fortunes for you for your are part of the historical problem of selling the mines for a song and commissions which is source of your riches.
2016 another loss. 5 to 0
Ask yourself how long has he been doing this and for what reason. Probably the man has never even helped his parents to do such a thing!
But mumbi phiri claims HH and GBM were chased at the funeral someone kindly confirm.
Check the pictures on Hakainde Hichilema’s facebook and see if he and GBM are running.
Pretty I agree with your first comment. What we need is a leader who will inspire us to do what we know we should do. I started farming not because Levy taught me to but because I saw him in his field planting (boots & all). That was inspiration.
Our soccer team for example has been doing well of late partly because Jameson inspires them with his presence. Only if he could do that to all citizens.
OK PRETTY I HAVE CHECKED ITS JUST THAT OVERZEALOUS MUMBI CHAP WHO CANT STOMACH THE FACT THE HH IS COMING TO POWER NEXT YEAR.
You are right altho it’s not only Mumbi who can’t stomach that fact. Many people are having sleepless nights. HH is busy on the ground despite dead NBC not showing him on TV. HH is unstoppable.
He has lost the vote on the Constitutional Bill. Forget HH, get another President for UPND. HH is taking UPND nowhere.
WHAT WE NEED IS A GOVERNMENT THAT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. EVEN IN DEVELOPED NATIONS THE GOVERNMENTS ARE LARGE PLAYERS IN THE MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. TAKE THE USA FOR INSTANCE. GOVERNMENT HELPS PROVIDE MARKETS FOR FARMERS BY SECURING TRADE DEALS THAT INCLUDE AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO COUNTRIES THEY TRADE WITH. THE EXISTENCE OF THE IMPORT/EXPORT BANK WHICH WAS CREATED AND FUNDED BY CONGRESS IS DEVOTED MAINLY TO FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL TRADE ESPECIALLY OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. SIMPLY PUT IF SOUTH AFRICA WANTS TO SELL APPLES IN ZAMBIA THEN ZAMBIANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELL MANGOES IN SOUTH AFRICA. IF JAPAN WILL SELL AUTO RACK CARS IN ZAMBIA THEN ZBIA SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPORT MAIZE OR TOBACCO TO JAPAN. ALL WE NEED IS…
PF will not find an opportunity to steal like they do with the over priced roads in a project like that, they are not intrested. They will instead ask the private sector to intervene in creating those marketing bodies.
Agriculture alone can help Zambia come up with more 100 processing companies in each province as the case in south korea and Canada.Each company can employ 1200 wokers .we can be self reliant were food is concerned and yet supply the who central-southern Africa earning the much needed dolar.Agriculture is non waste product it will always be there un like minerals.curently 3/4 of the food we consume apart from maize is imported from south Africa are telling me Zambia is so reach than S Africa so as to afford buying food in shoprite as if we don’t have hands and land.