Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
CSPR Executive Director Patrick Nshindano
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has expressed concern over the high levels of poverty in rural areas.
CSPR Executive Director Patrick Nshindano says 54 percent of the Zambian population are living below the poverty line with the most hit being rural areas with over 76 percent.
Mr Nshindano says over the years the gap between the rich and the poor has widened making Zambia one of the most unequal societies in the world.
He says rural poverty can be reduced using key sectors such agriculture to provide food security and empowering rural settlers with agricultural skills.
He adds that there is need to recognise the comparative advantage of each region and be able to analyze how best the potential of each region can be maximised to provide income security.
And Mr Nshindano says the month of October provides a platform for CSPR to reflect and put in place measures on how best poverty in rural areas can be minimised.
He has since called on government to ensure it recognises key sectors in poverty reduction such as agriculture and infrastructure development.
Zambia will join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty which falls on the 17th of October.