Lusaka — The application of inclusive green economy principles and practices in the Zambian agricultural sector would boost productivity, reduce inequalities and poverty, says Auxilia Bupe Ponga, Zambia's Permanent Secretary in the National Development Planning Ministry.
Speaking at the official opening of the validation meeting for the study report on "Fostering Sustainable Transformation of Agriculture in Africa through Inclusive Green Economy: The Case of Livestock Value Chain in Zambia" that was organised by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Ms. Ponga said agriculture plays a significant role in eradicating poverty and should always be prioritised.
She said agricultural sub-sectors, including fisheries, livestock and agro-forestry continued to play a significant role in the lives of many Zambians.
"The goal of the Seventh National Development Plan is to create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth and socioeconomic transformation driven, among others, by agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining," she said.
She commended the ECA for selecting Zambia as one of the three case studies which will feed into a subregional study of livestock value chains in Southern Africa.
"I am particularly pleased that this study analyses the complex links between poverty-environment and sustainable transformation of agriculture, using the livestock value chain as an example," she said.
Ms. Ponga noted that the study by ECA was timely as Zambia has just adopted the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) under the theme "Accelerating development efforts towards the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind".
"As the 7NDP states, agro-diversification and development will be based on comparative and competitive advantages in line with the government's green revolution agenda," she added.
Ms. Ponga said she was optimistic that the application of inclusive green economy principles and approaches in the Zambia agriculture sector would boost agricultural productivity, reduce inequality and poverty.
Livestock production, she noted, was a priority for Zambia as a sector with potential to drive inclusive growth.
Ms. Ponga said for livestock development to be sustainable, there was need for the continent to adopt an integrated approach that harnesses the strong linkages between economic growth, social development and environmental protection.
For his part, ECA's Green Economy and Natural Resources Section Chief, Nassim Oulmane, emphasized that a green economy in Zambia would contribute to eradicating poverty, as well as promote sustained economic growth, enhance social inclusion, improve human welfare, and create opportunities for employment and decent work for all.
He said the study, which is aimed at interrogating the green economy further, will contribute to identifying the challenges and opportunities for inclusive green growth in Africa.
Mr. Oulmane added that climate resilient development was key for Africa's transformational agenda and achieving the sustainable development goals.
The meeting was organized by the ECA in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning in Zambia.
Participants at the meeting will review and validate the study report on "Fostering Sustainable Transformation of Agriculture in Africa through Inclusive Green Economy: The Case of Livestock Value Chain in Zambia".
