Agriculture not for the retired or less intelligent, says President Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema says agriculture is neither for the retired nor the less intelligent and young people should venture into it.

He has also dedicated his agribusiness doctorate degree to Zambian farmers.

President Hichilema was speaking during a special convocation ceremony where Mulungushi University awarded him an honorary doctorate of agribusiness today.

The event was held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Mulungushi University vice-chancellor Royson Mukwena said the President has been honoured for his life-long dedication to agribusiness.

President Hichilema said agriculture is at the heart of Zambia’s national transformation, and that agro-production should be amplified with processing.

“Let us not tell our young people that agriculture is for the less intelligent. No! ‘Agriculture is for the retired.’ No! Agriculture is a business that empowers your soul.

“Let us see agriculture from a different angle; it alleviates poverty. Agriculture is the basis of industrialisation. Agriculture is not what people say; agriculture is not the last thing we should think of,” the President said.

He added that young people should not see agriculture as a backwards occupation.

The President also encouraged all universities and colleges in Zambia to continue focusing on research and development, including in agriculture.

President Hichilema also told young people that one’s background does not determine their destiny.

“Your circumstances such as where you were born, where you started life from, do not determine where you will end. You can be anything you want to be, but you have to work hard. 

“You can’t be a wishful thinker. You have to match your ambitions with your efforts to realise that,” he said.

The President further said he is deeply humbled to receive the honorary doctorate in agribusiness from Mulungushi University.

“Thank you very much, Mulungushi University. I dedicate this honour to Zambia’s hardworking farmers. As farmers, we are privileged to feed our people. Farmers are cultured to work hard and they are on duty 24/7.

“I want to appreciate the Zambian farmers – micro, small, medium and large farmers, whether crop or livestock. Even a widow who runs a chicken run of 50 chickens or 100 chickens, is so important. We should appreciate even seed producers, fertiliser manufacturers, stockfeed manufacturers, breeders, and others,” said President Hichilema.

In a citation, Professor Mukwena said President Hichilema, who was born on June 4, 1962 in Monze district, is an exemplary leader whose life-long dedication to agribusiness, education and national development merits the highest academic recognition.

“Since assuming the republican presidency in August 2021, President Hichilema has elevated agribusiness to a central pillar of national development.

“Under his leadership, public investment in agriculture has risen to over K11 billion (about US$500 million) – the highest in over a decade. Nearly half of this is allocated to irrigation, mechanisation and livestock development,” he said.

Prof Mukwena added that President Hichilema’s accomplishments in agribusiness reflect a lifetime of dedication to enterprise, innovation and a transformation of the agriculture sector.

“His professional success, coupled with his strong advocacy for education and human capital development, makes him an eminently deserving recipient of this honour.

“His journey demonstrates the power of vision, discipline and resilience in building enterprises that contribute meaningfully to national development,” said Prof Mukwena.

President Hichilema graduated from the University of Zambia (UNZA) with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration in 1986.

He then pursued a master’s degree in finance and business strategy from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom (UK). He graduated in December 1992.

After the citation, a documentary that highlights President Hichilema’s remarkable journey in agribusiness was beamed for viewing by the audience.

Honorary doctorates are among the most prestigious recognitions conferred by universities. They are awarded to individuals whose achievements and contributions to society stand out as exemplary.

Such awards recognise outstanding leadership, innovation, service and impact that extend far beyond conventional academic pursuits.