By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

FARMERS on the Copperbelt should produce more fresh produce and satisfy the ever-yawning Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  market, an economic consultant has said.
Recently, the cost of tomatoes and other fresh produce increased largely due to demand from the DRC and it is believed that on a  daily basis, more than 1000 boxes of tomatoes leave Kitwe for that country.
Angel Mondoloka said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that, farmers should take advantage of the DRC demand and increase production of fresh produce.
“Agriculture is a business, farmers like any other business people need to strategise by looking at the demand especially during the rainy season when we see low production of fresh produce sometimes because of diseases,” Mr Mondoloka said.
Mr Mondoloka said that there was need for more greenhouse facilities to reduce on the post-harvest losses.
“This season is tricky in terms of supply of fresh produce because it is characterised by plant pests, but if measures are put in place to reduce diseases and increase production, those things cannot affect earnings from farming activities,” he said.
He called for more innovation in each and every sector of the economy
to navigate through the current economic situation.
“We can grow nearly everything on a large scale in this country which can earn us more money as we are getting from the mines, we don’t have to be conservative by doing the same things,” Mr Modoloka said.
Mr Mondoloka also said for the economic prospects to be bright, there was need to resolve the issue of electricity shortages.
“Going forward there is need to invest more in power generation to reduce the deficit,” he said.