2024 budget hinges on poverty reduction – Hamasaka

ZAMBIA has a lot to learn and adopt from the Chinese particularly in the area of agriculture mechanization if the country is to improve productivity per hectare, State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka has said.

Speaking to the Scoop, Mr. Hamasaka said China was the production hub for appropriate technology for both high and low mechanization agriculture equipment suitable for various levels of the farmers.

Mr. Hamasaka called on all patriotic citizens to support the Government’s 2024 National Budget as it was tailored to improve their welfare by significantly reducing poverty levels in the country.

“It is abundantly clear that the 2024 National Budget speaks to the Zambian people’s aspirations by targeting poverty reduction in the country. Allocations for social sectors such as education and health have been increased.

“The agriculture sector in Zambia remains a strategic area of focus in promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, creating employment and wealth for the Zambian people. Therefore, President Hakainde Hichilema’s Government is offering incentives to the Zambian farmers and has challenged them to increase food production in the country as a response to the global food crisis on realization that it was the duty of our citizens to address problems than relying on outsiders,” Mr. Hamasaka said.

He said the Government shall continue to provide an enabling infrastructure and conducive business environment that supported production and value addition.

“The UPND Government took office at an unfortunate period when the world order is faced with security instability coupled with challenging climatic conditions that have affected prices of commodities such as fuel and food. However, with the growing response from our own Zambian-owned private sector players, President Hichilema is positive of achieving our national production target of one million metric tonnes of wheat by the year 2028.

“We therefore believe that Zambia can turn the global food crisis into a challenge for increased production of winter crops, such as wheat, maize and many others for local and international markets which will help stabilize our food security and create jobs,” he said.

He further urged the private sector to consider incentives for local communities such as the out-grower schemes and extension services among others so that they could equally increase the output.