VICE PRESIDENT MUNTALE NALUMANGO HAPPY WITH THIS YEAR'S AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCIAL SHOW

 

Vice President Mutale Nalumango said she was confident that this year’s Agriculture and Commercial Show will bring about inclusive and economic transformation that is centered on equitable distribution of wealth.

Speaking when she officiated at the Luncheon held ahead of the official opening of the 95^th Lusaka Agriculture and Commercial Show Ms Nalumango said the show will set the tone for industrialization that will be premised on value addition in agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors which have strong linkages for economic development.

She said government has prioritized mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism as key drivers for the country’s economic growth agenda.

Ms Nalumango noted that the agricultural and commercial show is an important day on the calendar as it brings different players of the economy to showcase different products and innovations.

She said the show opens the country to the region and beyond for investments and trade opportunities.

Ms Nalumango stated that the show has also come at the right time when the country is positioning itself for economic recovery.

And interpreting the 95th Agriculture and Commercial show Theme: “Inclusive Economic Transformation”Action Aid Zambia “Action Aid Public social Accountability Alliance project Manager Geoffrey Sinzala urged government to invest in the indigenous seeds as the way of promoting smart agriculture as a way of supporting farmers in rural areas who are practicing smart agriculture.

"More food can be produced if the country can adopt sustainable agriculture practices such as climate smart agriculture" he said.

He said by doing this, more crops can be grown on an area of land, and at the same time, more nutritious produce can be grown, resulting in a greater supply of food.

Mr Sinzala said in Transforming agriculture by making the sector more productive and efficient is key to achieving lasting, inclusive economic growth. Through evidence-based policies, new technologies and improved practices, agricultural transformation helps drive increased total factor productivity and more efficient use of inputs and resources. In turn, this process leads to expanded participation in markets, greater access to and affordability of nutritious food, improved resilience and broader availability of jobs. 

And former governor Dr Fundanga particularly impressed with the efforts to preserve indigenous seeds by women clubs supported by ActionAid through the agro-ecology farming at the 95^th Agriculture and commercial show.

"Its high time we started promoting indigenous seeds as a country and invest in smart agriculture"He said.