President Hichilema says agriculture best vehicle to develop Zambia’s economy

President Hakainde Hichilema says agriculture is the best vehicle to use to develop Zambia’s economy to middle income status and beyond. President Hichilema said this when he held a meeting with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) board chairperson Hailemarium Desalegn Boshe at State House today.

Mr Boshe was Ethiopia’s Prime Minister from 2012 to 2018.

President Hichilema congratulated AGRA for opening an office in Zambia.

“I want us to expand this AGRA partnership deeply and broadly. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel,” he said.

The head of State was impressed to hear how AGRA is using genetics seed technology to respond to crop yields, diseases and maturity.

He said it will be ideal for Zambia to closely work with AGRA to increase agricultural productivity.

“I’m happy to hear that you are not talking about GMOs. We have set specific agricultural targets here and we are happy to work with AGRA. Our targets should be achieved and not just set.

“If we want to develop our country to middle income and beyond, agriculture is the best vehicle to use. We need to increase agricultural productivity, even in the face of climate change where we have this heat wave,” he said.

Zambia targets to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize, one million metric tonnes of wheat and another one million metric tonnes of soya beans by 2030.

The President added that there should be food security for Zambia and other countries in the region because: “we have the endowments.”

President Hichilema also said increased agricultural productivity is related to energy availability, no wonder Government is working hard to diversify the energy mix.

“We are working hard to diversify away from hydro-power generation. We still need hydro power but it will be good for us to have other sources of energy.

“We are also bringing on board irrigation agriculture, which also needs energy to properly run,” the President said.

He further said AGRA should help to offer a structured market for Zambia’s agricultural produce.

“Producers need an assured market and you should come in there,” President Hichilema said.

Mr Desalegn said AGRA is working hard to advance climate resilience in Zambia for guaranteed food security.

“We need to use improved seeds that can contain heatwaves,” he said.

Meanwhile, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Collins Nzovu said there is growing momentum between Zambia and Ethiopia on matters of trade, investments and economic cooperation.

The minister added that he looks forward to exploring ways of strengthening partnerships with Ethiopia in agriculture, infrastructure, energy and tourism.