Maravi

I abused my office by placing agriculture first, says Levy

I abused my office by placing agriculture first, says Levy
By Brighton Phiri and Joan Chirwa
Thursday May 17, 2007 [04:02]

PRESIDENT Mwanawasa yesterday said that he had abused his office by placing the agriculture sector at the centre stage of development. And President Mwanawasa directed Eastern and Southern African Dairy Association (ESADA) to protect peasant farmers as they promote dairy production on the continent. Speaking during the 3rd African Dairy conference and exhibition at Lusaka's Pamodzi Hotel, President Mwanawasa said agriculture had always been at the back of his mind in his quest to serve the people of Zambia.

"Some several years ago I was asked a question...what portfolio would you like to hold in government? I said minister of agriculture... but I have not been accorded chance to serve that ministry because I was appointed Vice-President. I have abused my office to ensure that I put agriculture at the centre stage," President Mwanawasa told the delegates attending the conference.

He urged ESADA to work hard and ensure that peasant farmers were protected as the continent embarked on increased dairy production.

"I hope your organisation will work hard to ensure that the peasant farmer is protected... it will not do to promote the commercial farmer... to increase the production of milk through the commercial producer and then kill the dairy industry for the small farmer," he said.

"It is important to appreciate the fact that most of our rural people depend on agriculture for a living. Those that are engaged in dairy production should be assisted to adopt better methods of production by applying cheap methods or make it possible for them to access funds. But if you only concentrate on the commercial farmer, I am afraid most governments, most responsible African governments will not support you."

And President Mwanawasa said that Zambia needed to rapidly forge ahead in meeting various challenges in agricultural production.

"Notable among the challenges is the increasing agricultural production to meet the demands of the ever-increasing population as well as to increase agricultural exports," President Mwanawasa said.

He also said that a number of environmental challenges, among them changes in weather patterns such as floods, droughts, as well as outbreaks of livestock diseases, were affecting dairy production in Africa.

President Mwanawasa further said that most African farmers relied heavily on rain-fed pasture and fodder and that traditional practices of raising cattle had led to overgrazing that had resulted into soil erosion.

"It is imperative therefore that we find a long-term solution to these problems in order to make livestock production more sustainable," President Mwanawasa said.

"The dairy sub-sector has an important environmental and economic impact. It is therefore critical that the dairy sector carefully identifies appropriate livestock technologies and prioritise best practices which should be adopted."

President Mwanawasa said that he was happy to learn that ESADA had been working with other partners and governments in the region, and in consultation with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), towards increasing efficiencies through reduction of costs, improving marketing institutions and delivery of farm services.

He further said that the fight against poverty in Africa was hampered by among others poor infrastructure, low levels of innovation, inadequate value addition to primary agricultural commodities and lack of market access.

The ESADA conference has attracted more than 300 delegates from member countries, with the aim of sharing information on economic issues affecting the dairy industry including dairy production, processing and marketing among countries in the region.

Earlier, Parmalat Africa chief executive director Theo Hendrick advised African corporate organisations to stop measuring growth purely on financial performance.

"It is important to look at what each individual company has contributed towards the growth and well-being of the dairy industry in the region," Hendrick said.

He also said that value addition to milk products was crucial for people's health, as raw milk was quite hazardous.
"Consuming raw milk is hazardous to health. All stakeholders should work together in ensuring that milk is processed before it is consumed. For example in Uganda, 90 per cent of milk is consumed in raw form," said Hendrick.

Chairman of ESADA Sandres Nyirenda said that the dairy sector offered the best opportunity in economic development.

"Many countries in the region are pursuing economic reforms and the dairy sector can present good opportunities for enhanced economic growth," Nyirenda said.

"Government and the private sector should work together in developing the dairy sector which mostly comprises of small holder farmers. The partnership will lead to the transformation of the global economy through disease control, management and training in the dairy industry."

Labels: AGRICULTURE, ESADA, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 4:09 AM