By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THE American government has pledged continued support to Zambia’s agriculture sector because it is vital to rural poverty reduction.
United States Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz said on Thursday that sustainable agriculture is the key to food security which is subsequently the answer to development, especially in rural areas.

. Schultz

Mr Schultz said once rural families attain food security, they would have enough time to spend on other productive activities.
He was speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of 53 Peace Corps volunteers at his home.
“We have a constructive relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture which the American government will continue supporting. Agriculture in rural areas is of utmost importance because households that are food secure will find time to take their children to school and visit health centres,” Mr Schultz said.
He said some rural families that were not food secure, spent most of their time looking for food and neglecting activities that would help them reduce poverty.
Mr Schultz said Peace Corps volunteers would help rural families employ better farming techniques, increase their farming produce, add more protein to their food intake and make an income out of farming.
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda said the new Peace Corps volunteers would work with small-scale farmers and families through technical support.
Mr Lubinda said in a speech read for him by his permanent secretary David Shamulenge that Peace Corps agriculture programmes were in line with Government’s agriculture extension programme.
He said Government is grateful for the continued support from the American government and that it anticipates closer collaboration in the future.
Mr  Lubinda urged the volunteers to carry out their work to the best of their abilities.
The volunteers would be deployed to various rural areas across the country and 26 of them have been trained in rural aquaculture which mainly deals with fish farming while 27 have been trained in linking income, food and environment.
The volunteers were also taught local languages and the Zambian culture to enable them carry out their work effectively.
The eleven week training took place in Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo’s area in Chongwe, and in Chief Chamuka’s area in Chipembi.
The two hosting chiefs were present to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
The volunteers would work in Zambia for two years. The country has 270 volunteers under the Peace Corps programme, making it the largest in Africa.