President Edgar Lungu has called on Zambian farmers to venture into production of high value agro produce to take advantage of the regional demand.
President Lungu has cited fish and livestock production as among high value agro produce.
Officiating at the 113 Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Annual Congress in Lusaka, President Lungu revealed that neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo had already requested Zambia for maize.
President Lungu has further called for enhanced consultations between the Ministry of Agriculture and ZNFU on challenges facing farmers.
And President Lungu has called on the private sector and financing institutions to come on board and finance the purchase of agro produce.
Meanwhile, ZNFU President Jarvis Zimba has lamented increased costs of agro production.
Mr Zimba has since called for consultations by government with concerned stakeholders.
The ZNFU President has also noted that the imposition of export bans on maize, maize seed and mealie meal is affecting the industry’s development.
But, Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo says his Ministry stands ready to work with ZNFU in developing the agriculture sector.
Mr Katambo says his Ministry has not issued a Statutory Instrument banning the export of maize and mealie meal but had just taken an administrative measure to maintain food security in Zambia.
