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The Czech Republic has commended Zambia’s drive to boost agricultural productivity and pledged support for sustainable food systems, technology transfer, and capacity building between the two nations.
This was revealed during a high-level engagement between the Czech Deputy Prime Minister, Marian Jurečka and Zambia’s Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock in Lusaka.
In a statement issued Tuesday by Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson, Balewa Zyuulu, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture, livestock, and agri-technology development.
Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Peter Kapala, standing in for his Agriculture counterpart Reuben Mtolo, reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to building strategic international partnerships.
He expressed optimism that Czech expertise and investment in agriculture and livestock would contribute to Zambia’s economic diversification and rural development.
Acting Permanent Secretary for Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Chizumba Shepande, outlined several strategic measures aimed at achieving national food security, including the scaling up of irrigation to enable year-round production and mitigate climate change impacts.
He further noted that Zambia was targeting the production of 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 1 million metric tonnes of wheat, and 1 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually by 2027.
“Reaching these targets will require robust private sector participation, including investment in mechanisation, seed production, irrigation technologies, and agro-processing,” Shepande said.
Both parties committed to developing practical frameworks to translate diplomatic engagements into tangible benefits for farmers and agri-businesses in both countries.
Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema took to his Facebook page on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to express gratitude to the Czech Republic for its continued support, especially in conservation agriculture, irrigation, and livestock development.
He noted that the courtesy call by Czech Deputy Prime Ministers Vlastimil Válek and Marian Jurečka was a reflection of growing bilateral cooperation in healthcare, education, agriculture, and cultural exchange.
“We are especially appreciative of the goodwill missions by Czech medical experts who have supported the training of Zambian healthcare professionals at the National Heart Hospital,” President Hichilema said.
He added that the ongoing collaboration with Czech partners in the health sector marked a significant step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening Zambia’s healthcare infrastructure.
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