Richard Bennett of Sunbird Bioenergy Africa and Nick Brooks of China New Energy attended and contributed to the Agricultural Sector Open Forum and Dialogue that was organised by the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture in Lusaka.
The event was chaired by the Honourable Dora Siliya, Minister for Agriculture, and was well attended by local and international stakeholders.
Our key learning from the event was:
The Government wants to initiate a “Green Revolution” to stimulate rapid economic growth in the agricultural sector (currently agriculture only accounts for 9% of GDP).
An increase in maize production is a priority (with the expectation of exporting maize to neighbouring countries).
An increase in cassava production.
Additional investment is required in irrigation as there is a direct correlation between irrigation and yield.