Government yesterday launched the Tier Two project under the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) programme in a bid to enhance sustainable entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector.
The first ever tier project called “Trade and Investment Project for Enhanced Competitiveness of Zambia’s Agriculture Sector (TIPEC-ZAS)” has an approved budget of over KR15 million ($2.8 million) and will be implemented over a period of three years.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Richard Taima said government expects to integrate new 5,000 small producers in the agriculture value chain through commercial and inclusive business arrangements.
Mr. Taima said 15 per cent of the 5,000 small producers will include youth and 35 per cent women who will have access to training and extension services.
He said this in Lusaka last night at a cocktail party for the EIF regional results reporting and communication capacity development meeting.
Mr. Taima said the project will adopt a market based value chain approach using four (4) key areas which include outreach and production networks, markets trade and investment, quality and standards and research and development.
He stated that it was government’s resolve that the programme succeeded and has therefore called on the delegates to take the programme seriously.
And SNV Country Director Jean De Matha Quedraogo said improved partnership among players in the sector was key in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme.
Mr. Quedraogo said there was need for stakeholders to work together to ensure that the benefits of the project reach their intended recipients.
In attendance were delegates from Liberia, Yemen, the European Union (EU) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the EIF Trust Fund officials and some senior government.
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a non-profit international development organisation which aims at alleviating poverty by enabling increased income and employment opportunities and increasing access to basic services.
The organisation currently works in 36 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.