Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Support Editor
Published on 2024-03-14 11:23:52
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has dedicated more than 9 million United States Dollars towards enhancing food security within Zambia. This commitment underscores the agency’s resolve to support agricultural development and economic transformation in the country.
Ann Vaughan, the USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator, highlighted the agency’s collaboration with the African Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership under the USAID Africa Trade and Investment initiative. This partnership aims to bolster agricultural markets in Zambia and drive economic growth by providing support to farmers through various programs.
During a recent field visit to Mpongwe District in the Copperbelt region, Ms. Vaughan interacted with farmers benefiting from the Food Security Programme. She emphasized the importance of improving food security in Zambia and revealed that over 1.5 million Zambians are actively engaged in the program.
As part of the USAID Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative, collaborative efforts are underway with partners to conduct activities like showcasing improved crop varieties through demonstrations on demonstration farms. This approach allows farmers and scientists to witness firsthand the impact of different seed varieties and agricultural practices on productivity.
Ms. Vaughan reiterated USAID’s commitment to enhancing local research and strengthening market systems for staple crops in Zambia. She also highlighted the agency’s efforts to support agro-business partners in providing affordable fertilizer to farmers through initiatives like the last-mile delivery project.
The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) Country Manager, Gene Phiri, emphasized the importance of maintaining a registry of farmers purchasing fertilizer through rebate programs to ensure fairness and transparency. This initiative enables small and medium-sized agro-dealers to offer fertilizer at competitive prices to farmers, ultimately benefiting the agricultural sector.
Through the ongoing project, farmers have seen a reduction in the cost of fertilizer, with prices decreasing from 970 Kwacha to 800 Kwacha per bag. This price reduction has made fertilizers more accessible to farmers, contributing to improved agricultural productivity and sustainability.
One of the beneficiaries of the USAID project, Fostina Chumbo, expressed her satisfaction with the program, noting that the crop demonstrations have equipped her with the knowledge to achieve a successful harvest. She highlighted the resilience of the seedlings used, which proved to be drought-resistant and enabled her to plant early for a better yield.
In conclusion, the USAID’s efforts in enhancing food security and supporting agricultural development in Zambia are commendable. The agency’s partnerships and initiatives are making a tangible impact on farmers’ livelihoods and contributing to the country’s economic growth and sustainability.
Read the original article on Lusaka Times
