Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has backed the stance and concern of President Hakainde Hichilema for the country not to continue importing onions.
President Hichilema recently questioned as to why the country should be importing onions when it produces the product locally.
ZNFU president Jervis Zimba says the country has been on a steady trajectory, growing the local fruits and vegetables sub sectors and huge investments being made therein.
In a statement obtained by Q-News Mr. Zimba says losing an incredible 12 million US dollars every year to onion imports when this is money that could be used for value addition to local onions and enhanced production capacity and standards, which in turn would create jobs locally, is unacceptable.
He says the union shares the vision of President Hichilema of driving the country’s economic transformation through underpinning agriculture as the focal point, leveraged by diversification and value addition.
Mr. Zimba says the union shall continue to propagate this agenda through to the point where this country becomes the net exporter of both raw and processed agriculture commodities.
He adds that President Hichilema’s firm stance on local production, procession and value addition should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.