.Monde

By CHILA NAMAIKO –

AGRICULTURE and Livestock Deputy Minister Greyford Monde has said Government is developing the tobacco sub-sector to hugely contribute to Zambia’s foreign exchange earnings.
Mr Monde said tobacco was one of the key export crops that should be safeguarded to add value to foreign earnings for national development.
He said in Choma on Thursday that Government would continue to put stringent measures to boost the tobacco sub-sector to promote economic growth.
He was speaking at the 20th graduation ceremony at Popota Tobacco Training College held under the theme ‘Celebrating 50 years of quality and holistic agricultural training in a changing environment’.
Mr Monde said the tobacco sub-sector was important for poverty reduction, employment and wealth creation for many people.
He was happy that the college, established in 1965, had continued to produce quality and well trained human resource despite challenges.
He commended the college for heeding Government’s policy on diversification, saying introduction of a multi-disciplinary two-year certificate course in sustainable agriculture and rural development was vital.
Mr Monde assured management that Government with support from cooperating partners such as Netherlands government would continue upgrading agricultural colleges like Popota.
College principal, Melon Mulamfu said the 58 graduating students would add value through their acquired skills in increasing national food production and sustainable agriculture.
Mr Mulamfu appealed to Government to help upgrade the road networks leading to the institution and increase accommodation for staff members and students.