By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
A LOCAL non-governmental organisation has called for increased outgrower schemes to encourage diversification of the economy.
International Development Enterprise Zambia (IDEZ) Copperbelt Province team leader Emmanuel Mulenga said the only way to achieve the country’s diversification goal was to encourage outgrower schemes.
He said this in an interview in Kitwe.
Outgrower schemes, also known as contract farming, are broadly defined as binding arrangements through which a firm ensures its supply of agricultural products by individual or groups of farmers.
“There is need for stakeholders in the agriculture sector to help small-scale farmers forge partnerships with chain stores, commercial farmers and agro processors because it is one of the ways of enhancing diversification of the economy,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said with effective partnership, issues of lack of funds for small-scale farmers would not arise as inputs and market for the produce would be available.
He said his organisation would continue linking smallholder farmers to entities that could offer market and inputs to small but viable farmers in the country.
“Recently we were in talks with Golden Lay Eggs who have agreed to start buying and providing inputs to soyabean farmers on the Copperbelt and this is expected to increase soyabean production in the province,” Mr Mulenga said.
Established in 1997, IDEZ aims at helping rural people create income and livelihood opportunities.
To realise its goal, the organisation focuses on low-cost irrigation as a practical way to address the poverty and hunger accompanying two decades of recurring droughts and economic decline.
IDEZ also links farmer groups with local supermarkets, vegetable export companies, and other markets.