President Hichilema calls for smart policies to support growth in agric sector

A two days Africa Agriculture Policy Leadership Dialogue has opened in Lusaka with a call to formulate robust and successful implementation of smart policies aimed at stimulating the growth of the agricultural sector.

The meeting organized by the World Bank Group (WBG) is being attended by about 28 Ministers of Agriculture from around the African continent, other key agriculture experts and was officially opened by President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday.

In a speech read on his behalf by Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, President Hichilema said there was need for the transformation of African food systems for improved food security, resilience and job creation.

Hichilema said good policies are key in culminating the high levels of food insecurity which have resulted in up to 140 Million people being malnourished in Africa a situation.

“There is need to facilitate discussions on policy reforms aimed at unlocking the investment and financing opportunities for the transformation of African food systems for improved food security, resilience and job Creation,” he said.

World Bank Vice President Eastern and Southern Africa Victoria Kwakwa said the African continent had continued to encounter challenges that deter the attainment of food security among its people.

“This has resulted in the dependency on food imports despite being a major producer of the raw materials used in food production,” Kwakwa said.

African Union Commission (AUC), Commissioner of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), Josefa Sacko, said Africa needs to implement policies and bold investments decisions coupled with action to address the prevailing acute hunger situations.

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