BY CLEOPATRA NANKONDE
Agriculture Climate Foundation Executive Director Dr. Oliver Kandela Bulaya has called for a comprehensive approach to industrialise Zambia’s agricultural sector, 61 years after independence.
Dr. Bulaya said smallholder farmers must be empowered through increased access to finance, improved rural infrastructure, and greater investment in agro-processing to drive economic growth and job creation. He added that roads, storage facilities, irrigation systems, and market linkages are crucial to boosting productivity.
He stressed the need for technology-driven agriculture, including digital platforms and mobile tools that provide farmers with information such as weather forecasts and market prices. Dr. Bulaya also emphasised youth involvement, urging young people to form cooperatives and access government support to stimulate rural economies.
He highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships to strengthen research, innovation, and climate-adaptive practices, while encouraging sustainable methods such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and modern water management systems.
Dr. Bulaya said collaboration among government, private sector, farmers, and citizens is essential to unlock opportunities in agriculture, arguing that strategic planning can transform the sector into a cornerstone of Zambia’s economic future.
