Minister of Agriculture Reuben Phiri kicked off the mechanization road show at Mpongwe Farmer Training center in copperbelt yesterday.
Speaking during the kick off Mr. Phiri said the kickoff signified the start of the lined up roadshow promotion by the European Union (EU) in five provinces across the country.
“The EU funded”Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming System in Zambia (SIFAZ)” Project implemented by FAO and CIMMYT, will organise a series of more roadshow in five provinces throughout the country,” Mr. Phiri said.
Speaking at the same occasion EU Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA, Bruno Hanses said the EU will increase investment in green partnerships for sustainable recovery, growth and decent jobs in Zambia.
Mr. Hanses further emphasised that the global challenges demand for domestic solutions, which support diversifications.
“The global challenges demand for domestic solutions, which support diversification of agriculture and food systems, promote value addition and shorten global supply chains,” he said.
He further disclosed that the EU intends to scale up it’s support to SIFAZ with an additional EUR 20 million (ZMW 315 million).
The top-up is to alleviate the negative consequences on Zambia’s smallholders farmers, caused by the shockwaves that were sent by the Russian aggression of war against the Ukraine.
