Govt restates Zambia’s determination to reposition Agric as pillar of economic growth, food security

Government has reiterated its determination to reposition agriculture as a diversified, competitive and sustainable pillar of economic growth and national food security. Speaking Thursday at the launch of an Agric expo billed for April in Lusaka, Acting Agriculture Minister, Peter Kapala, said the sector remained central to Zambia’s economy, particularly in sustaining rural livelihoods and creating jobs. Kapala said the theme of the forthcoming expo mirrors government’s agenda of modernising agriculture through increased mechanisation, expanded irrigation and the adoption of climate-smart farming methods, while accelerating the uptake of emerging technologies.

He noted that the event was in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of building a resilient and food-secure Zambia. According to Kapala, the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing key policies and programmes aligned to Vision 2030, including the Second National Agricultural Policy and the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme. The Agric expo is expected to highlight government’s commitment to strengthening crop production, livestock and fisheries as integrated components of food security and economic resilience.

It would also showcase initiatives designed to empower smallholder farmers, cooperatives, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youth and women to actively participate in the agricultural value chain. Kapala added that the platform would foster public-private partnerships and attract investment across the sector, with emphasis on value addition and market-driven production. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.