Small scale has been a poverty trap for Zambians for a long time despite the amount of money the government has injected into the sector, IAPRI Executive Director Chance Kabaghe said at the recently ended Economics Association of Zambia Summit.
“The first thing we should ensure is that our Zambian farmers treat farming as a business. Once they do that they will start taking advantage of technology. and market infrastructure both within and outside, Mr. Kabaghe said during a panel discussion for agriculture.
“If we let our farmers continue the way they have been operating, there will be no scope for growth giving commercial farmers an upper advantage at the expense of small scale farmers, he said.
He advised that Zambia’s fish farming sector has immense potential given the 87,000 metric tone deficit which it can take advantage of. Aquaculture is supported by a rising population that spells rising demand for fish in Zambia for both domestic and export markets.
“You can not compare the profitability of the fish industry to maize production as there are higher margins in fish farming than maize production, he said.
In 2018, the Africa Development Bank – AfDB extended a $50million facility to the Ministry of Agriculture aimed at boosting aquaculture in Zambia. This in the next 3 years if properly harnessed, will make Zambia a net fish exporter.
