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Zambia’s declining agro spending worries NEPAD

Zambia’s declining agro spending worries NEPAD
Written by Florence Bupe in Midrand
Sunday, November 09, 2008 6:32:30 AM

NEW Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) head of Agriculture Professor Richard Mkandawire has bemoaned Zambia’s declining budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector.

Making a presentation at the ongoing NEPAD-CAADP media sensitisation workshop in South Africa, Prof Mkandawire said it was saddening to note that while the African Union through NEPAD was encouraging member countries to increase resources to the agriculture sector, Zambia’s allocation to the agriculture sector had declined.

“I am aware that Zambia’s budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector has declined. This is a sad development because the country’s poverty levels are increasing, especially in the rural areas,” he said.

Prof Mkandawire said it was imperative for the media to be alert to such developments and hold policy makers accountable to ensure that key sectors such as agriculture continued receiving the deserved attention.

He advised that Zambia should not just concentrate on the mining sector growth, but also ensure that the agriculture sector was enhanced to promote national food security, and ultimately contribute to regional food security.

“The mining sector is generating good revenue for Zambia, but is this revenue being invested in the rural communities?” he asked.

Prof Mkandawire urged the Zambian media to play an advocacy role for the development of the agriculture sector, and help get civil society organizations more involved in this area.

And Prof Mkandawire has advised the media in developing countries, including Zambia, to report positively to counter the negative reporting perpetuated by the western world.

“The international media tend to sensationalize reports on Africa. They are more interested in bringing out negative issues such as wars and high poverty levels, without highlighting the positive measures that are being put in place to mitigate these vices,” Prof Mkandawire said.

“They’ll use every opportunity at their disposal to report on the developing world in a negative manner. Not all in Africa is gloom and doom; there are many successes in Africa that are news worthy.”

Prof Mkandawire said this was an opportune time for Africa ’s renaissance.
He further urged African communities to move away from the dependency syndrome and find ways of creating wealth.

“Social protection and relief are important, but these should not be at the expense of wealth creation. Africa should explore market opportunities for its own products. There will be a huge demand for staples over the next 10 years, especially in view of the urbanization trends,” said Prof Mkandawire.

The sensitisation workshop is aimed at getting the media more actively involved in boosting agriculture through reporting.

Labels: NEPAD

posted by MrK @ 6:34 AM