17,000 farmers engaged in rice production

NAIS- Japan International Cooperation Agency -JICA- through the Market Oriented Rice Development project has engaged over 17,000 farmers in rice production.

The project which seeks to promote rice cultivation as a cash crop in Zambia has so far put 3,000 hectares under cultivation since its inception.

Agriculture Permanent Secretary for Technical Services JOHN MULONGOTI says the move by JICA resonates with the government’s determination to utilize rice as a key crop in Zambia’s crop diversification agenda.

Mr. MULONGOTI notes that efforts by JICA are steadily transforming Zambia’s rice sector and contributing to the Country’s Gross Domestic Product.

He says the government is improving rice seed varieties and enhancing farmers’ knowledge and business skills to improve their income by selling rice.

Mr MULONGOTI said this in a speech read for him by Ministry of Agriculture Director CHIZUMBA SHEPANDE.

This was during the Market Oriented Rice Development project 4th joint coordination committee in Lusaka.

And JICA Representative JOTARO TATEYAMA has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to implement rice initiatives that will improve the resilience of Zambia’s rice value chain.