The Small Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) says the current high demand for agricultural products is an opportunity for Zambia to improve the economic growth of the country.
SAFADA Executive Director Boyd Moobwe, said Zambia has put across good polices and when implemented properly, can have the potential to feed the entire nation and Africa at large.
Mr. Moobwe said the country is lacking people who are serious and innovative enough to venture into Agriculture as a business which can foster development around the country.
“Farmers, agriculture experts and other relevant stakeholders need proper mechanisms and proper moderation to embrace production in the agriculture sector,” he said.
The executive director added that there is need for small scale farmers to be empowered and assisted by government in farming cash crops such as soya beans, millet and sunflower due to high demand on the market.
“The commitment and consistency in policy creation in the agriculture sector is a sign on the benefit it has in the growth of Zambia’s economy,” Mr. Moobwe added.
Meanwhile, an economic expert Kelvin Chisanga, said Agriculture is one of the biggest factors that can help change the economic situation in the country.
“Small scale farmers are being helped by government through the Farmers Input Support Program (FISP) and the issue of production output is not quite commanding,” he said.
Mr. Chisanga said different crops are on demand and this is a potential value to accelerate for both local and regional market.