Maravi

Take up agriculture as a business, urges Chituwo

Take up agriculture as a business, urges Chituwo
Written by Florence Bupe
Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:14:07 AM

AGRICULTURE minister Dr Brian Chituwo has urged small-scale farmers to take up agriculture as a business despite the challenges currently being faced in the sector.

And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hideto Mitamura has pledged that country's continued support to the Zambian agricultural sector for sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation.

Speaking after a tour of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded project, the Participatory Village Development in Isolated Areas (PaViDIA) in Kalimansenga village in Chongwe district, Dr Chituwo said there was need for farmers to engage in farming for commercial purposes as opposed to subsistence farming alone.

“This project is an indication that small-scale farmers can take up farming as a business. It is encouraging to see farmers identify and tackle their needs in the agriculture sector,” he said.

Dr Chituwo observed that Zambia's agriculture sector was faced with various challenges, including climate change, the negative impact of the global economic crisis, as well as high food prices. He said these challenges could only be overcome through increased productivity and diversification. Dr Chituwo said the government was working at improving farmer support through various schemes.

“The ministry will continue to support farmers to diversify and increase productivity. We want to ensure that farmers access enhancement schemes for increased productivity in the next farming season,” said Dr Chituwo.

And Ambassador Mitamura said Japan would continue assisting Zambia in various agricultural projects. He said Zambia's rural agricultural projects could serve as a model for the region as there were a number of successes scored in the implementation of these programmes.

“With the achievements scored, there is no doubt that one day the project could serve as a model for African rural development, thereby laying a solid ground for the continent's economic development,” said Ambassador Mitamura.

Meanwhile, PaViDIA chairperson Jailos Silubanje said the funding from JICA had assisted in the implementation of various income-generating programmes.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, BRIAN CHITUWO, HIDETO MITAMURA, JICA, PaViDIA

posted by MrK @ 11:17 PM