Amb. Mwamba advocates for a decisive shift from political appeasement to region-specific agricultural investment policy, warning that the government’s uniform crop distribution strategy disregards vital soil and climate variations, resulting in poor yields and lost growth opportunities.
Lusaka, Oct. 6 – Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba’s reflections on the government’s agricultural missteps strike a nerve that demands attention. His firsthand experience as Permanent Secretary in Western Province reveals a critical flaw in Zambia’s approach to crop distribution – one size simply doesn’t fit all.
Also Read: HH’s haphazard IMF policies on agriculture have undermined food security.
The main problem with IMF policies is that they are formulated by people in a boardroom in New York who have insufficient information on what can and cannot work here in Zambia.
The government’s insistence on distributing maize seed and fertilizer uniformly across the country, despite glaring differences in soil and climate, has left certain regions grappling with poor yields year after year. In regions like Kaoma, where maize thrives, such plans might work, but in others, it’s akin to planting roses in the desert and hoping for a bloom.
Amb. Mwamba recalls his bewilderment at why the Ministry of Agriculture failed to embrace the province’s unique agricultural potential.
“Why couldn’t we invest in crops suited to the soil and geography, like rice, cashew nuts, cassava, and even cold-season vegetables in the plains?” he lamented.
It’s a poignant reminder that Zambia’s agricultural strategy needs a shift in focus – from political appeasement to scientific precision. Instead of blindly pushing maize, why not let the land dictate the crops? That would be wisdom sowing the seeds of success.
Unfortunately, the government’s crop strategy seems driven more by politics than practicality. Despite last year’s El Niño that spell doom in most parts of the country, ample rainfall was recorded in Northern, Muchinga, and Luapula Provinces, but small-scale farmers were left high and dry without the necessary fertilizers.
Instead, these critical resources were sent to areas the current regime believed were “disadvantaged” under the previous administration. It was a move that backfired spectacularly, as regions primed for a bumper harvest were denied the tools they needed to produce enough food for the nation.
Also Read: Hichilema: A Disaster Greater Than El Niño
The devastating blow of El Niño to Zambia’s energy sector has been compounded by Hichilema’s shocking incompetence, leaving the nation utterly powerless to combat the catastrophic fallout.
The pattern is set to repeat this year, with forecasts predicting good rainfall across key regions like Northwestern, Copperbelt, and Eastern provinces.
But once again, Amb. Mwamba fears that political considerations will cloud judgment, prioritizing loyalty over logic. It’s high time we stopped gambling with our agricultural future and started investing where the land can deliver, before we reap the whirlwind of another avoidable disaster.
About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest provides in-depth analyses and commentary on issues of national importance, alongside articles on personal development and health. We believe journalism can be a force for socio-economic change.
©2024 Woodpecker’s Digest.
Putting news into perspective