Zambia soya bean production on the rise

The recent input price increases in international markets have a significant impact on the sustainability of agricultural production in the local markets.

Farmers and mines do not have to be in conflict with each other. If we think about it, they actually need each other. Mines need a lot of fresh food for their permanent and contract workers, and can provide a very lucrative market for farmers’ produce.

Central Province Permanent Secretary, Milner Mwanakampwe, recently stated in a news article that Zambia must strategically position itself to benefit from the mineral resources.

According to Milner the mining sector in the country has been re-affirmed as one of the key priority sectors expected to drive the country’s economic growth and transformation agenda. He observed that in order for the country to benefit from the mining opportunities there is a need to re-strategize the manner in which the sector is governed.

On the bright side, however, soya bean production is projected this year to increase further as the crop use as a food crop. Zambia is projected to record a notable 6% growth in soya bean production between the 2018/2019 to 2019/2020 farming season. The crop will be used for the manufacturing of feed and other animal protein, as well as human consumption.

In this month’s edition of ProAgri Zambia, our cover story takes a look at the new possibilities of Valley’s ag solar pivot systems, John Deere launches the biggest combine harvester on the continent, and Trevor Dickinson, CEO of Family Legacies, advises farmers on how to diversify their family business.

Make sure you bookmark our new website, ProagriMedia (https://www.proagrimedia.com/) for the latest agricultural news in Africa.

Stay warm this month and enjoy a jam-packed edition full of very exciting and informative content.

Bianca Henning
bianca@proagri.co.za