SAFADA ADVISES GOVT TO SURRENDER AGRI-BUSINESS TO FARMERS

THE Government must withdraw from its active participation in agribusiness but rather empower indigenous Zambian farmers to run their own affairs, an agency representing farmers has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Small Scale Farmers Development Agency Executive Director, Boyd Moobwe, said that the country was likely to lose active farming practice and crop production because farmers were not fully supported.

Mr. Moobwe stated that there were higher levels of resource mismanagement at all levels of society, especially in the farming sector.

He called on the Government to be transparent and engage farmer-based organizations established to contribute towards addressing the social and economic challenges facing the small scale farmers and the agriculture sector.

He disclosed that agriculture stakeholders had introduced so many projects and programs but were not really benefiting the targeted beneficiaries.

He explained that such acts were caused by poor leadership and governors in developmental programs or projects because of selfish ambitions and motives.

“The serious issue that requires urgent attention is to review our culture, values, and norms, failure to which it will cost the country,” Mr. Moobwe warned.

He said that it was imperative that the Government called upon the agriculture Indaba, inviting all agriculture stakeholders and interested parties, to confer on issues affecting farmers.

He further appealed to the Government to engage SAFADA and approve its plans such as the Agriculture Centre of Excellence, which will supplement its efforts in assisting small scale farmers.

He explained that the Agriculture Centre of Excellence was vital and could change the face of agriculture in Zambia because the small scale farmers would transform the agriculture sector.