By Chiluba Kawimbe
“Innovative technologies in a changing climatic environment” was the theme for the 2024 Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust (GART) National Seed, Horticulture and Aquaculture fair in Chisamba district of Central province.
The Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust fair is meant to disseminate technologies that will ensure resilience among farmers in the face of drought.
Speaking at the 2024 Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust (GART) National Seed, Horticulture and Aquaculture fair in Chisamba district, Republican Vice President W.K Mutale Nalumango said agriculture is the bedrock of Zambia’s economy.
The Vice President said that despite its importance, the agriculture sector in Zambia is facing a number of challenges that impede its effective contribution towards economic growth and development.
“The country has experienced one of the most devastating droughts in more than forty years of its history that has, not only affected crop and pasture production, but also resulted in unprecedented reduction in surface water levels which has led to severe reduction in the country’s power generation capacity,” Ms Nalumango said.
She said that the sector is key, as it is a source of livelihoods for a significant proportion of the population in the country.
The Vice-President said that climate change must be taken seriously because it poses serious risks to national food security.
“There is need for concerted efforts. I challenge the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) and other technology developers to generate multiple game-changing innovations that will transform our agricultural systems and ensure that they are climate smart as well as resilient, productive, sustainable and equitable,” she said.
Ms Nalumango also challenged the private sector to develop and market seed varieties that will be drought-tolerant and enhance productivity and resilience of among the farmers.
“You are equally expected to produce quality fertilizers and other inputs that will enhance productivity and resilience among the farmer,” she emphasized.
Ms Nalumango said government has recognised aquaculture as a key pillar in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
She said that the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector contribute about 3.2 percent to the agricultural gross domestic product being the mainstay to over one million people in the country.
The vice president also noted that aquaculture can sustain ecological, social, and economic benefits to fish farmers and provide an important safety-net for food and nutrition security.
“It is, therefore, gratifying to see a number of innovations such as improved production of quality fingerlings and integration of fish farming with other enterprises such as poultry, piggery and vegetable production”, said the vice president.
She said that key to these innovations is the production of sex reversed fingerlings to enhance production and productivity in aquaculture.
And speaking at the same function, Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust Executive Director Martin Muyunda said that this year’s fair presents an opportunity for technology developers within the agrochemical sector, seed, horticultural and aquaculture subsectors to showcase climate smart technologies.
“This fair is very important more especially to technology developers because it presents an opportunity to provide the necessary climate resilience technologies to the farmers,” Dr Muyunda said.
Meanwhile, Greenfield Commodities Limited Field and Commercial Sales Manager Kabwe Lufungulo said that the private sector players are aware of the challenges affecting the agriculture sector in the country.
He said climate change stands out as it cuts across the entire agriculture values chains including horticulture and aquaculture.
“We, therefore, understand the urgent need to develop technologies and services that will not only help farmers adapt to smart climate agriculture, but also ensure that as a country we increase both productivity and production to meet food security needs of the county and the region at large,” Mr Lufungulo said.
Mrs Lufungulo said fairs were an opportunity to share innovative ideas that were meant to address challenges and also come up with technologies that include early maturing and drought tolerant seed varieties and high-quality fertilisers, crop protection products, fish feed and quality fingerlings.
He said that Greenfield Commodities Limited is happy to partner and work with the government to ensure that farmers have access to new technologies at affordable prices at the right time.
“Greenfield commodities Limited is committed to delivering and distribution of quality farming inputs such as fertiliser, seed and chemicals at the doorstep of the farmers. This will help the country to recover from drought the country experienced the previous season,” Mr Lufungulo said.
He said that despite efforts from the private sector to ensure inputs are available to farmers at affordable prices, unscrupulous individuals and entities are robbing farmers by selling fake and counterfeit products on the market.
Mr Lufungulo expressed concern that these counterfeit products being sold on the market results in poor yields, low productivity and also deprives farmers of their income, food, and nutrition security in the country.
It is hoped platforms like this will greatly help farmers access to information and technologies that will enhance productivity and productivity whilst fostering resilience. –NAIS