KABANDA CHULU, Lusaka
DEPUTY Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Greyford Monde says Government will ensure the agriculture sector is developed to levels that will improve food security and the ability to export to the region.
Officially launching BASF Zambia Legal Entity, an agrochemical firm, on Friday, Mr Monde said Government’s policy is to work together with the private sector in finding innovative solutions that will accelerate growth.
“We are aware of the many challenges that our farmers face such as overdependence on rainfall, limited access to credit and low investment in research and development.
BASF vice-president for South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa Joan-maria Garcia said the company intends to strengthen its presence in Zambia through provision of solutions specific to individual business entities.
Earlier, German deputy ambassador to Zambia Isolde Aust said agriculture should be developed because it is one of the major drivers of African economic growth.
At the same event, BASF area manager for Southern Africa Eike Hupe said the company has been successful in the growing Zambian market since establishing a representation office four years ago.
“It is for this reason that we now run the entire business for the southern Africa region for BASF’s crop protection products out of our Lusaka office,” Dr Hupe said.
He described Zambia as a country with vast potential in the agriculture sector and that BASF will continuously support its customers through offering innovative products like fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides to aid farmers in improving the yield and quality of their crops.
Meanwhile, BASF Zambia donated a US$25,000 to the African Parks Foundation for its wildlife conservation activities in Liuwa and Bangweulu wetlands.