SELF-SUFFICIENCY is a very important aspect in every society as it guarantees independence and security, among other liberties.
The news from the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) that it will be able to sustain its operations despite the suspension of assistance from the Finnish government is a welcome move.
We applaud the farmers’ body for its resolute and bold stance to be able to stand on its own even after withdrawal of Finnish Government assistance as it not only assures national food security, but also sends a message to the international community of the local body’s autonomy and abilities.
Infact, the farmers’ union’s announcement that it will also host the sixth general assembly of the World Farmers’ Organisation simply cements the appreciation of the local capacity of rising to the challenges of international magnitude and brings a sense of pride to the Zambian society.
ZNFU president Evelyn Nguleka’s announcement that the local body would be equal to the task of hosting such a world indaba and the assured continuation of the local body’s operations should send a message even to other local bodies that are in partnership with international bodies that there is sufficient capacity within which they should always harness and better still keep on boosting.
Notwithstanding the positive contribution made by the Finnish government to the operations of the ZNFU, which contributed to its ability to reach out to small-scale farmers, there has always been that expectation and prior planning by the local farmers’ body to be weaned off international inclination.
It makes us proud that farmers across the country will uphold their operations even in the aftermath of the Finnish aid exit and , furthermore, provide impetus for increased local capacity building and innovation.
Dr Nguleka made the announcement recently of the end of the Finnish government’s support programme and all we are yet to see are operations on the local scene kept afloat.
This, therefore, calls for new strategies that should be employed to fill up the void without creating any discrepancies and lead to revised local agricultural operations.
Zambia at the moment oversees the affairs of the World Farmers Organisation (WFO) and will host the international meeting in Livingstone this week.
It goes without saying that the development has come at the right time for Zambia to strategise and market itself further at a time when the Government has adopted increased resolve to diversify the national economy from copper dependence which has marked our society for several decades.
With this development by the Government, there are greater benefits and more security to stabilise the local economy and ensure resilience in our economy, especially in the midst of currency volatility.
Diversifying the economy is one way of keeping the local currency stable and shield it from frequent shocks arising from international recessive factors.
We, therefore encourage the ZNFU and the Government to remain fully determined to diversify the local economy through many ways, especially increased agricultural production and value addition, including agro processing. Comment