EU advises Zambia to venture into irrigation farming

The European Union has acknowledged that investing in irrigation farming is the only way to cushion the impact of low rainfall pattern on agriculture in Zambia.

European Union ambassador to Zambia Alessandro Mariani has expressed concern that the agriculture sector in Zambia is too dependent on maize production and rain fed agriculture.

Mr. Mariani says there is need for the country to diversify its agriculture sector and embrace irrigation farming in view of the prevailing changes in the climatic conditions and reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture.

He has cited the southern part of the country as one of the regions which needs more investment in irrigation farming due to the low rainfall pattern.

Recently President Edgar Lungu during indicated that government is making progress in infrastructure development aimed at fostering national development through promotion of irrigation farming.