By CHATULA KANGALI –
GOVERNMENT has called for increased investments in the coffee industry to realise its economic potential.
In the 2014/2015 season, Zambia’s coffee production declined significantly from 450 tonnes recorded in 2013 to 200 tonnes, with the industry blaming the alarming fall on lack of a tree agriculture policy and long-term financing.
This is despite the country having robust climatic conditions that support the growth of coffee trees, especially in the northern and southern parts of the country.
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda said huge investments were needed in the coffee industry to realise its economic potential.
“There is need for more investments in coffee farming in order to boost the production of the crop in the country looking at its potential to contribute to the economic development of the country,” Mr Lubinda said in an interview on Thursday.
He said the Government was ready to provide technical advice to farmers, both small and large-scale, to spur production of the crop.
“As Government, we are encouraging crop diversification, that is why we have opened up  farm  blocs in the country to attract farmers to invest in  the production of different types of crops such as coffee that can earn the country the much needed revenue,” he said.
He urged the private sector to empower small-scale farmers in the country with farming inputs and allow them to diversify from the growing of tradition crops.
Meanwhile, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has started buying maize from farmers around the country.
Mr Lubinda said the FRA started the maize purchases on Tuesday this week.
He urged millers to also start buying maize from farmers and other grain traders in the country.
“FRA has started buying maize. Government is encouraging millers to start buying maize from the farmers because the FRA is not selling maize at the moment,” he said.