‘Agriculture research in SADC is a disaster’

‘Agriculture research in SADC is a disaster’
Written by Florence Bupe
Saturday, April 11, 2009 5:39:16 AM

GREEN Valley Agriculture Research Trust (GART) director Dr Stephen Muliokela has observed that agriculture research in the SADC region is a disaster.

In his presentation to the Regional Conservation Agriculture Tour delegates in Chisamba on Tuesday, Dr Muliokela said governments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including Zambia, needed to invest more in agricultural research to mitigate future food crises.

“We need to appreciate that research may not benefit us now, but it will profit us in the long term,” he said.

Dr Muliokela said the government should adopt technology incubation for the promotion of conservation agriculture.

“Government needs to come up with technology incubation fund for agriculture support programmes, just like we have the FSP [fertiliser support programme] in place,” he said.

Dr Muliokela said there was need for the country to move away from donor dependence for food security.

He said Zambia and other countries in the region should come up with conducive policies that would encourage conservation farming as a sustainable way of enhancing food security both at household and national levels.

“We can’t keep relying on donor aid. We have to make progress and ensure that we have sustainable harvests at national level,” he said.

He further called for increased commitment towards agriculture-related infrastructure and small-scale farmer support.

“Government should focus on oxen and hand-hoe farmers because they’re in the majority and are vital for poverty reduction. These farmers use less resources but have a great impact on household food security,” said Dr Muliokela.