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Kanchibiya Constituency lawmaker, Sunday Chanda, has called on the government to waive taxes on farm inputs and tackle fertilizer smuggling to boost Zambia’s agriculture sector.
In an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, Chanda urged the government to address key challenges, including high input costs and limited market access, while creating efficient distribution systems to curb resource leakages.
“Agriculture is not just a means to feed the nation but a tool to tame inflation, reduce poverty, and stimulate economic growth,” Chanda said.
He cited Côte d’Ivoire’s success in achieving agricultural self-sufficiency through large-scale farming and crop diversification as a model Zambia could emulate.
“As a nation blessed with vast arable land, favorable climatic conditions, and a hardworking populace, Zambia must embrace agriculture as the cornerstone of its economic strategy,” Chanda added.
The lawmaker emphasized the need for bold reforms to modernize agriculture, positioning it as a driver of industrialization, job creation, and food security.
He proposed implementing large-scale irrigation projects to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We must prioritize year-round farming through irrigation, ensuring Zambia’s resilience against climate challenges,” Chanda said.
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He also called for an enabling environment for agribusiness and value chain development, stressing the importance of processing raw produce locally to create jobs and boost exports.
Chanda further advocated for the mechanization of farming, recommending public-private partnerships, subsidies for equipment, and training programs to enhance productivity, particularly among small-scale farmers.
“Like Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia should diversify its agriculture beyond maize, focusing on cassava, millet, sorghum, rice, and high-value cash crops. Diversification will not only improve food security but also unlock export opportunities,” he said.
The Kanchibiya MP reiterated the need for deliberate investments in modern farming techniques and policies to position agriculture as the backbone of Zambia’s economic transformation.
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