Zambian small-scale farmers lack support
Written by Millennium on June 5, 2019
ALFRED TEMBO writes
@SunZambian
ZAMBIA’s agriculture sector should provide support to small, medium and large-scale farmers to enable them to meet the quality demanded by the domestic market, a political and governance activist has said.
Maxson Nkhoma said he is confident in Zambia’s ability to meet local demand for agricultural produce and products.
Mr Nkhoma said Zambia should introduce a quota system.
“Zambia has the potential and capacity to meet its own demand once the market for agricultural produce and products is guaranteed,” he said.
He urged the government to remain firm in its quest to grow the country’s economy through the promotion of local products.
Mr Nkhoma said the government would in the long run benefit from policies in the sector that encouraged local producers.
“In turn the government will boost its revenue base through the collection of taxes,” he said.
Mr Nkhoma said the increase in buying local products by supermarket chains should cheer local producers and motivate them to produce even more and earn more income.
“Implementation of such initiatives will spur economic growth and create jobs for the local people,” he said.
Mr Nkhoma urged the ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Commerce, Trade and Industry to collaborate in creating opportunities for local producers.
He said the private sector should also intensify efforts to help local producers meet the standards and quality demanded by super market chains.
