The Zambian agriculture story is set to record further growth as the country finally signs the long awaited Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) Compact.After postponing the signing on two occasions in 2008 and 2010, the Rupiah Banda led government has appended its signature to an agreement which now compels it to allocate at least 10% of the annual budget toward development of the agriculture sector and work toward a sector growth target of 6%.
Launching the signing ceremony in the Zambian capital Lusaka today, (January, 18, 2011) Republican President Rupiah Banda through his vice Gorge Kunda says the CAADP Compact is in line with the country’s policies.
Mr. Banda says the country has deliberately created the Livestock and Fisheries Development Ministry which supports growth of the sector. “We are increasing the quality and quantity of livestock by products being exported as the current levels are not good enough,” says the Mr. Kunda.
And the Zambian Head of state says despite the country having recorded consecutive bumper harvests, many challenges still need to be addressed. He says poor road network, storage facilities, and lack of adequate funding and research have to be addressed in order for the country to go beyond its current production levels.
Comesa sentiments on CAADPThe Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) has expressed delight with Zambia accenting to the CAADP Compact.
COMESA Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya says Zambia has signed at the right time when it has showed its agriculture potential through consecutive bumper harvests in the agriculture sector. He says this in the midst of the country having recorded a 2.8million metric ton maize bumper harvest in the 2009-2010 farming season an increase from the 2008-2009 farming season which saw Zambia’s staple food hitting a 1.9million metric ton bumper harvest.
“Zambia signing the CAADP Compact brings the number of countries in the COMESA region that have signed to eight which is a good indication,” Mr. Ngwenya reveals.
He says his organization and Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture are working together to solicit for some technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization –FAO-. Meanwhile Agriculture and Corporative Minister Bradford Machila says the CAADP Compact fits in Zambia’s Vision 2030 target of becoming a middle income country.
Mr. Machila says the program will be in line with government National Development Programs –NDPs- such as the current Sixth National Development Plan –SNDP- which runs from 2011 to 2015.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane signed on behalf of Zambia alongside his Agriculture Minister Counterpart Eustakio Kazonga and Zambia Association of Manufacturing –ZAM President Chance Kabaghe singed on behalf of the private sector.
About CAADPCAADP is an initiative that aims at accelerating Africa’s development by using agriculture as the engine to drive such development.
The CAADP was formulated by African government under the African Union/New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU/NEPAD) in 2003. In this regard, an annual agriculture growth target of 6% was set, which would be realized in part by allocating at least 10% of the country’s total annual budget to the sector.
The Zambian government in collaboration with COMESA has been engaged in the process of accelerating the implementation of the agriculture development agenda in line with the Comprehensive Africa Development (CAADP) framework.
CAADP’s four fundamental pillars
1. Extending the area under sustainable land management and reliable water control systems,
2. Improving rural infrastructure and trade related capacities for market access,
3. Increasing food supply and reducing hunger
4. Agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption.
The pillars are deemed critical to sustainably accelerate agricultural production and productivity in countries on the continent.
By Brian Mwale
