By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to play a key role in supporting Zambia’s agricultural sector by facilitating linkages between local farmers and structured markets, both domestically and internationally.
Speaking during a meeting with AGRA Board Chairperson and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at State House on Thursday, Hichilema emphasized the need for Zambian producers of various crops to have assured markets, urging AGRA to help the country source structured opportunities.
He acknowledged AGRA’s leadership and commitment to Zambia’s agricultural development, particularly through plans to establish an office in the country to deepen the partnership.
The President said cooperation would focus on fertilizer and soil health, efficient irrigation systems, climate-resilient seeds, and digital climate advisory tools.
He stressed the importance of expanding the partnership broadly to avoid duplicating efforts in the agriculture sector, which he described as the engine of the country’s economy.
President Hichilema expressed support for AGRA’s use of genetic seed technology to improve crop yields, combat diseases, and manage crop maturity, noting that such collaboration could significantly enhance Zambia’s agricultural productivity.
He said the government was committed to meeting specific agricultural targets and highlighted agriculture as a key vehicle for Zambia’s development to middle-income status, even amid climate challenges such as heatwaves.
The President also linked increased agricultural productivity to energy availability, noting government efforts to diversify the energy mix beyond hydropower and support irrigation-based agriculture.
In addition, he highlighted that strengthened infrastructure, better accessibility, and coordinated tourism plans could boost visitor arrivals, create jobs, diversify the economy, and protect biodiversity.
He also commended Trade Mark Africa for improving Zambia’s border infrastructure and customs efficiency to reduce trade costs and unlock regional value chains.
AGRA Chairperson Hailemariam Desalegn said the organization was working to advance climate resilience in Zambia and emphasized the use of improved seeds to withstand heatwaves, citing the role of genetic seed technology in enhancing crop yields, controlling diseases, and ensuring timely crop maturity.
Meanwhile, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Collins Nzovu, noted that momentum was building between Zambia and Ethiopia in trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
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