ZAMBIA CELEBRATES RECORD HARVEST AT 84TH AGRICULTURAL SHOW

Mutharika- guest of honour at ZACS in Lusaka

RB to officiate at ZACS in Lusaka

Zambia is this week preparing for its 84^th annual Agricultural & Commercial Show which opens on Thursday 29^th July 2010.  It will showcase Zambia’s great agricultural achievements during the past year – including the biggest maize harvest, increased crop production and an overall growth rate in the sector of more than 12%.

His Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia will officially open the show with a speech where he will welcome guest of honour, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Malawi. 

President Banda and his Government have supported Zambia’s millions of farmers in recent years.  President Banda’s most important role has been to subsidize fuels costs and introduce the Fertilizer Input Support Programme to help 500,000 small-scale farmers.  The Banda Government has successfully stabilized food prices – ensuring that Zambia has avoided the worst effects of the world recession endured by many other countries.

The output of the 2009-2010 maize harvest has beaten all previous records, with 2.7 million tonnes produced by Zambian farmers which is an increase of nearly a million tonnes on the previous year.  The country has also seen increased production of cassava, rice, wheat, cotton and tobacco.  At the same time, the price of mealie meal has continued to fall since President Banda’s election pledge in 2008 to deliver cheaper food for all Zambians. 

Lusaka Showgrounds, Zambia

President Banda commented: “Zambia has continued building a strong and successful agricultural sector which has the potential to increase our economic strength at home and abroad.  In the last year we recorded a growth rate of 12.4% in agriculture alone.  Our fertile land, excellent water resources and dedicated labour force should be recognized and celebrated across Zambia.  I am honoured to be able to share our success story with President Bingu wa Mutharika at this year’s Agricultural & Commercial Show.”

The Agricultural & Commercial Show is set to be a true celebration of the great achievement of putting a strong agricultural sector at the heart of the nation, to the benefit of all Zambians.  The show will be held in Lusaka from Thursday 29^th July until Monday 2^nd August 2010.

The two presidents will also hold official talks at State House on Friday 30^th July 2010 focused on driving future investment, trade and support for agriculture in both countries.