Lusaka, Zambia, 21 November 2017 (ECA) – “Application of inclusive green economy principles and practices in the Zambia agriculture sector will boost agricultural productivity, and reduce inequality and poverty” saysZambia’s Permanent Secretary for Ministry of National Development Planning, Dr. Auxilia Bupe Ponga.
Speaking at the official opening of the Validation Meeting for the Study Report on “Fostering Sustainable Transformation of Agriculture in Africa through Inclusive Green Economy: The Case of Livestock Value Chain in Zambia” organised by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Dr Ponga observed that agriculture plays a significant role in eradicating poverty and thatits subsectors including fisheries, livestock and agro-forestry continue to play an increasingly significant role in the lives of many Zambians.
“As you may be aware, the goal of the 7NDP is to “create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth and socioeconomic transformation driven, among others, by agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining”, she said.
She commended ECA for selecting Zambia as one of the three case studies which will feed into a subregional study of Livestock Value Chains in Southern Africa. “I am particularly pleased that this study analyses the complex links between poverty-environment and sustainable transformation of agriculture using the livestock value chain as an example” she said.
Dr Ponga noted that the study by ECA is timely as Zambia has just adopted the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) under the theme “Accelerating development efforts towards the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind”. “As the 7NDP states, agro-diversification and development will be based on comparative and competitive advantages in line with the Government’s Green Revolution agenda” she added.
She was optimistic that the application of inclusive green economy principles and approaches in the Zambia agriculture sector could boost agricultural productivity, reduce inequality and poverty. She noted that the sector constitutes a priority and has potential to drive inclusive growth. Dr Ponga said that for livestock development to be truly sustainable, there is need to adopt an integrated approach that harnesses the strong linkages between economic growth, social development and environmental protection. She implored the experts from various Government Ministries, the private sector, academia and farmers to foster integrated planning if sustainable livestock development is to take place.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Green Economy and Natural Resources Section of ECA Dr. Nassim Oulmane emphasized that green economy should contribute to eradicating poverty, as well as sustained economic growth, enhancing social inclusion, improving human welfare, and creating opportunities for employment and decent work for all. He said the study which is aimed at interrogating the green economy further, will contribute to identifying the challenges and opportunities for inclusive green growth in Africa with emphasis on key sectors, including the livestock value chain. He added that climate resilient development was key for Africa’s transformational agenda and for achieving the sustainable development goals.
The meeting is organized by Economic Commission for Africa (ECA in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning in Zambia.
Participants at the meeting will review and validate the Study Report on “Fostering Sustainable Transformation of Agriculture in Africa through Inclusive Green Economy: The Case of Livestock Value Chain in Zambia”.
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