Basic HTML Version
285
www.ebizguides.com
Agriculture
Immense potential prevails in the fishing industry
ble Zambian meat products to meet demand in local
markets as well as satisfy the stringent requirements
of export markets. Through these interventions, it is
hoped that beef will eventually become second only
to copper as the country’s major foreign exchange
earner.
In regards to fisheries development, the key strategy
is to ensure compliance with fisheries regulations
to properly avoid the depletion of fish in Zambia’s
main water arteries and lakes. Aquaculture centres
are being constructed for the breeding of fingerlings
that will be used to replenish fish stocks in vulner-
able areas. Aquaculture development, especially by
women, is being encouraged throughout the country
to provide meaningful employment opportunities.
To support the livestock subsector, government will
continue with the creation of disease-free zones to
facilitate livestock exports. The first zone is expect-
ed to cover the Central Province, Lusaka Province
and parts of the Copperbelt Province. Work has
commenced on the renovation of a number of labo-
ratories, the construction of checkpoints, and the
establishment of breeding centres in the proposed
disease free zone. In 2010, there was an allocation
of K 12.5 billion for disease-free zone programmes,
and such investments are poised to increase as the
number of disease free zones grows as well.
The burden of disease around these zones is also
being addresed through the establishment of exten-
sion service centres in the disease-prone areas of
the Western, Southern, and Eastern provinces. For
this, and other livestock and fisheries activities in the
provinces and districts, a total of K 95.2 billion has
been allocated.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Of all of Zambia’s economic sectors, agriculture is
thought to hold the most promise for growth and
development, as well as the potential to reap sig-
nificant foreign exchange earnings. Production must
be stepped up to meet the growing demand in ex-
panding local, regional and international markets.
This calls for substantial private sector investment to
transform uncultivated arable land, privatized state
land, and traditionally cultivated farmlands, into suc-
cessful agricultural ventures.
Arable Assets
One of Zambia’s most important natural resources
is its arable land. With over half the country’s land
classified as medium to high potential for agricultural
production, and the fact that a substantial percent-
age of the land available for agriculture is situated
near urban areas, makes it easily accessible to/
from cities that are the ultimate destination of much
agricultural production. Rural areas of course also
possess much arable land for cultivation as well as
pastures for livestock grazing and farming.
Another important resource in Zambia is water. Zam-
bia’s mean annual rainfall around 1,400 millimetres
in the northern region and 700 millimetres in the
southern, eastern and western areas. In addition to
an abundance of rivers and lakes, many groundwater
resources also exist. Untapped potential exists in the
irrigation of farmland, and generous tax incentives
exist for producers who invest in such equipment.
Climatic factors, such as rainfall, temperature, sun-
shine and the different types of soils, provide the
country with three major agro-ecological zones suit-
able for a wide range of crops, livestock, fish, and
forestry products. The different zones range from the
vast, temperate plateau region of the north, to the
subtropical valleys around the Zambezi River of the
south.