Johannesburg, South Africa (ADV) – The Zambian government is supporting the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s proposal to implement Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ) at Luswishi Farm Block in Lufwanyama District in Copperbelt.
The SCPZ concept is aimed at facilitating the development of idle land into commercially viable farm production and processing operations. The AfDB delegation, led by Country Manager, Manneko Monyau, made a presentation about the SCPZ to the Luswishi Farm Block the Zambian authorities recently.
The Zambian National Development Planning Minister, Alexander Chiteme said they are committed to improve the welfare of the people, adding that initiatives like SCPZ were welcome to empower the masses.
AfDB Chief Agriculture Economist, Duncan Mwesige, explained that the SCPZ initiative is aimed at sustainable and balanced agri-industrialisation, promoting investments in the agriculture sector, enhancing rural livelihood opportunities, drive economic growth and reducing rural-urban migration.
“The proposed SCPZ is a timely initiative to create wealth, employment, food security and fits well with the new trends in developing sustainable technologies and innovative products to address the challenges posed due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation and fast depletion of natural resources faced by the sector,” he explained.
Mwesige called for private sector to invest in this initiative, adding that Zambia can develop a globally competitive agro-industry, promote synergies and productive relationships between business enterprises and farmers, through the SCPZ.
He added that the SCPZ would assist in achieving the transformation of the agriculture sector and make Zambia one of the leading players in the global food markets and grow wealth for the farming community.
© Bur-JHB – B.M / N.N – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_en
