Caritas Zambia;
APPRECIATES the commitments shared to the UN food summit by His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema that spoke to the improvement of agriculture extension services; investment in research; regeneration of land and the protection of biodiversity; the regeneration of indigenous species; forest management; and a robust tree planting exercise. Further, we appreciate the fact that the government recognises that the production of quality foods needs will be supported by a robust and sustainable agriculture value chain. Caritas Zambia hopes that this spirit can lead to leaving NO rural farmer, especially small scale, will be left behind in the attaining of food and seed sovereignty in Zambia.
WELCOMES; The proposed actions and hopes that it will lead to the preservation of the ecosystems and pave way for genuine human participation, ensuring that the experience and wisdom of our traditional rural farmers in the country contribute to the national decisions and programmes to improve agriculture;
In order to cement these pronouncements and make sure that they are clear, in the context of our country Zambia, we urge the government to be clear on the following commitments, and our concerns;
• Sustainable Agriculture practices: need to clearly define what this entails in practice.
• Improving crop varieties and livestock: There is a need for clarification on how the promotion of local breeds and varieties will be integrated and maintained especially indigenous seed production.
• Appropriate technology and innovation; there is a need to clearly define what is meant by ‘appropriate’ as the government commits itself to ecological and social justice.
Given to the Press on 28th September 2021
Ms. Musamba Mubanga
Livelihoods and Climate Change Programme Specialist
Download the entire Caritas Zambia Recognition of the Presidential Speech at the UN Food Systems Summit held in New York 23rd to 24th September 2021 here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/CARITAS-ZAMBIA-RECOGNITION-OF-THE-PRESIDENTIAL-SPEECH-AT-THE-UN-FOOD-SYSTEMS-SUMMIT-HELD-IN-NEW-YORK-23RD-TO-24TH-SEPTEMBER-2021.pdf
