Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary-Technical Services, Mr. John Mulongoti has underscored the importance of cooperation between Zambia and Germany in the implementation of reforms in the agriculture sector.
Speaking on the side-lines of the just concluded Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) which was held in Berlin, Germany, Mr. Mulongoti noted that Germany has been supporting Zambia particularly in reforms in the agriculture sector, where the two countries have a blueprint program called Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Program (CATSP), which aims to enhance agricultural productivity.
Mr. Mulongoti said from the engagements with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and other participating countries, it was clear that Zambia was on the right path in its pursuit to promote mechanisation in the agriculture sector and improve productivity.
He said government was reforming some of its interventions like the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP), where benefits are now being seen adding that Zambia was cited as an example for other countries to learn from on how to reform and transform the agriculture sector from a potential economic sector to a real sector which will contribute largely to economic development and job creation.
Mr Mulongoti stressed that a number of reforms which have been undertaken by the government, both policy and legal framework, and the re-purposing of programs like FISP are showing and giving tangible results.
He said the Zambian delegation shared the various opportunities which Zambia offers adding that he was impressed with the number of companies which have expressed interest to invest in the agriculture sector in Zambia.
The Permanent Secretary expressed confidence that his delegation’s engagements at the Forum have left a footprint which will continue giving results as the country embarks on a journey to reform the agriculture sector.
Zambia was represented at the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) by Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary- Technical Services, Mr. John Mulongoti, his Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation counterpart Eng. Romas Kamanga and senior officials from the public and private sectors.