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Agriculture
THE HONOURABLE EMMANUEL T. CHENDA
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
Dear Readers,
Zambia’s vast expanses of rich undeveloped land with free flowing and easily accessible water provide ex-
tensive potential for agricultural production. This coupled with an ideal climate suitable for the production of
exportable crops presents an opportunity for investment.
Agriculture remains the priority sector in achieving sustainable growth and reducing poverty in Zambia. This
is because the country has immense natural resources such as land, water and fertile soils to support agricul-
tural activities. In addition, over 80 percent of the rural population depends on agriculture-related activities for
their livelihood. The growth of this sector is therefore important for the attainment of the long-term vision for
Zambia to become a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030.
The agricultural sector continues to be a strategic area of focus in promoting growth, reducing poverty and
creating employment. This is being done through enhancing investment for sustainable agricultural produc-
tion and productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries. There is great investment potential in the agriculture
sector and the government is undertaking programmes to facilitate investment in agriculture.
The strategic focus under crop production is the development of irrigation and farm blocks, enhanced re-
search and extension services, provision of farming inputs and promotion of agricultural credit, and promotion
of utilization of improved seed varieties.
To further expand agricultural production, the government has embarked on a programme to open up viable
farm blocks in various parts of the country to be involved in primary production and value addition. Develop-
ment of basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges and electrification is underway through various govern-
ment initiatives.
It is recognized that the agriculture production needs to be commercialized for the sector to meaningfully
grow. As such we are increasing crop production through expanding areas under cultivation and irrigation as
well as increased productivity through the use of improved seed varieties and increased linkages between
research and extension services.
In addition, Zambia has continued to promote the increased use of sustainable farming practices including
conservation farming, agro-forestry, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and control of crop diseases
to ensure that climate change is mitigated and that the agricultural production base is sustained. Appropriate
adaptation measures are also being developed and implemented to minimize the adverse effects of climate
change.
In order to tap into Zambia’s water resource, the government has embarked on irrigation development pro-
grammes for all categories of farmers and it is envisaged that more investment irrigation is required given the
enormous potential.
With regard to the livestock and fisheries sectors, it should be noted that the main thrust of the livestock
sub-sector is to increase livestock production through prevention and control of livestock diseases, improving