AS Zambia commemorated Farmers Day yesterday, there were many sentiments and as well as reflections on the current status of farming and indeed farmers in the country.
The general consensus in these reflections is that Zambia, like many other countries, faces challenges in the agricultural sector that directly affect its farmers.
Some key issues affecting the plight of farmers in Zambia include limited access to finance as many farmers face difficulties in obtaining affordable credit or loans to invest in equipment, seeds, and fertilisers.
This limits their ability to improve their farming practices and productivity.
Inconsistent weather patterns also affect Zambia’s agriculture due to the heavy reliance on rainfall, making farmers vulnerable to irregular weather patterns such as droughts or floods.
Due climate change, many farming seasons have lead to crop failures and significant losses for farmers.
This is coupled with a lack of modern farming techniques perpetuated by limited access to agricultural training and technology which leaves many farmers using outdated methods.
With insufficient knowledge of modern techniques, farmers face challenges in maximising yields and adopting more sustainable farming practices.
Further, inadequate storage facilities and improper post-harvest handling contribute to significant losses for farmers. Without proper storage, farmers are unable to preserve their crops to sell during times of higher demand, leading to financial losses.
Last but certainly not the least, is the struggle that farmers have to access profitable markets due to poor infrastructure and difficulties in transportation.
Additionally, price fluctuations and middlemen often result in farmers receiving unfair prices for their produce, making it challenging for them to earn a decent income.
In this regard, it is encouraging that President Hakainde Hichilema has assured that the Government will do everything possible to ensure consistent agriculture policies and legal frameworks.
President Hichilema said a lot needed to be done to fix the agriculture sector and that was why the New Dawn Administration was spending sleepless nights to achieve this.
We agree with the President’s observation that our farmers work hard to put food on our tables and it is only appropriate that the State reciprocates by providing an enabling environment for them to prosper.
It is time that Zambia builds on its past experiences and achieves the much-talked about regional breadbasket status.
God has blessed us with all the requisite tools for success such as fertile land, water, and a youthful population. And now we have a government that is prepared to invest in the sector as long as there are people willing to work the land.