Low Agro Performance in Zimbabwe Good for Us, Says ZNFU

Source from:  The Times of Zambia (Ndola) Business Reporter 01/11/2005

THE low performance in agriculture by neighbouring Zimbabwe has played a significant role in the growth of Zambia's agriculture in 2004, Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Guy Robinson has said. Mr Robinson said in Lusaka that because of the turn of events in that country, there was less competition, together with other factors, growth in poultry went up by 30 per cent, almost 100 per cent in tobacco, 30 per cent in wheat and 25 per cent in the Soya bean industries. Mr Robinson said the other factors included increased investment into the sector, positive investor perception of Zambia, good rainfall, the fertiliser subsidy programme by Government and Government's focus on agriculture. He said downward trend in commercial bank's lending rates was encouraging and hoped that it would continue until affordable rates were achieved and commended Government for the policies that led to the development. Mr Robinson also appealed to Government to make an early assessment of the area planted with maize this season and also called for a preliminary indicator of the quantity of maize seed that had been sold in 2004 by seed companies. He also said the foot and mouth disease had continued to deal a big blow to farmers and the control of the disease should be a priority for Government both in terms of resources and urgency. Enditem