Zambia has little choice, but to embrace Agric Value Chain Development -JCTR

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says Zambia has little choice, but to increasingly embrace Agriculture Value Chain Development as a platform for spurring economic growth and addressing the challenge of rural poverty.

Speaking at the stakeholders dialogue meeting on linkages between agriculture and manufacturing/value chain addition and its potential for national development, JCTR Programme Manager Innocent Ndashe says agro industries have the potential to provide employment both for rural and urban population, not only in farming, but also in off farm activities such as handling, packaging, transporting and marketing of food and agriculture products.

Mr Ndashe however, notes with sadness that agro processing technologies that are simple to operate and, manage still remain a challenge in Zambia on account of the fact that agro processing machinery and equipment have not received the adequate support as deserved of such strategic inputs in the agro value chain.

He says there is great need for government to widely invest in research, development and transfer of appropriate agro processing technologies for key players.

And officiating at the meeting, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo has thanked the JCTR for bringing together ministries, civil society organizations research institutions, the media and other stakeholders to reflect on how to enhance linkages between agriculture and manufacturing /value addition for national development.

Mr Zyambo has implored all stakeholders to share their experiences, thoughts and recommendations on how linkages can be enhanced between agriculture, value addition and manufacturing at all levels for national development.