Support local farmers

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:43:20 +0000

GOVERNMENT’S decision to impose a ban on the importation of agricultural produce such as tomatoes, onions, carrots, mangoes, potatoes, pineapples, lemons and watermelons is commendable.

We agree with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and many other stakeholders that this move is indeed long overdue particularly that our local farmers have for a long time complained to government on how the importation of these locally produced and readily available agricultural produce has affected their businesses.

It is certain that agriculture is a key sector which when well harnessed would not only significantly contribute to Zambia’s economic growth but also alleviate poverty among many of our local farmers.

And Government’s pronouncements and political will to promote agriculture as a viable sector in diversifying Zambia’s economy away from mining is testament that those who dare to venture into farming will receive maximum government support to succeed.

It is economically retrogressive to allow these foreign-owned and indeed any other chain stores in our country to continue importing farming produce such as tomatoes when we have many of our local farmers produce it in bulky and struggle to find market for it.

Shockingly, it was observed with utter dismay that many South African chain stores continued to import mangoes, presumably from their country of origin, even at a time the fruit was in season and readily available locally.

Why should these chain stores not source the mangoes and tomatoes locally whenever they are readily available?

We find no good reason for deciding to import tomatoes from other countries such as Tanzania and South Africa when the same farming produce goes to waste among our farmer due to lack of ready market.

In this vein, the protest by Shoprite and Food Lovers at Government’s ban of the importation of fruits and vegetables into the country is unfounded and unjustifiable.

Allegations that local farmers cannot maintain steady supply of farming produce such as tomatoes, onions, lemons and watermelons is not only illogical but also an insult to the local farmers who have demonstrated to have capacity to produce enough to satisfy the local market.

Probably, what the chain stores need to do is partner with our local farmers so that they enhance productivity among them.

It is common knowledge that Zambia has not only abundant water in the Southern African region but also has good soils for growing a variety of crops and that there is no way the farmers could fail to produce what other countries are able to when they do not have favourable climatic agricultural conditions to grow crops.

For instance, the North-Western Province is well known to have good soils for growing pineapples and Zambezi is one such area which produces oranges in this country.

Partnership between the chain stores and the local farmers will spur job creation as it shall motivate many unemployed youths and women to venture into farming.

President Lungu’s directive to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to ensure many women have access to land is a positive development that guarantees that the womenfolk will equally get into agriculture.

By virtue of this robust agriculture programme, there is no doubt that all the crops and vegetables that were initially imported will now be