ZAMBIA is benchmarking from India on how to grow the Country’s horticulture sector and organic agricultural products, Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga has said. “The horticultural sector, Mrs. Kapijimpanga added, “is poised to be one of the most successful sectors within the agricultural industry in Zambia.” She however, said smallholder farmers were hindered by limited access to markets, finance, farm inputs and lack of modern technology. “India is experienced in marketing horticultural products across the world after overcoming difficulties compounded by lack of infrastructure,” Mrs. Kapijimpanga said.

She was speaking at the India International Horticulture Market in Sonepat, in the Indian State of Haryana, organised by the Government of Haryana and Progress Harmony Development (PHD) Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an institutional partner. “I wish to invite stakeholders in India to take part in the Provincial Investment Expos set for Southern and North Western Provinces in Zambia to share experiences on agribusiness and biotechnology,” Mrs. Kapijimpanga said.

She said Zambia was yearning for infrastructural and administrative facilities for marketing like warehousing, transportation (domestic and international), market chain, loading and off loading among others. “Zambia is interested in clusters where farmers are more inclined towards a related produce especially mushroom, tomato, honey, horticulture and others,” Mrs. Kapijimpanga said. The High Commissioner said Government through Citizens for Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) was promoting that farmers coming in clusters would be provided loans for the purchase of crops and along with facilities of central processing unit.

And Progress Harmony Development (PHD) National Apex Chamber Secretary for International Affairs Niraj said he was happy to work with Zambia to promote grass-root level farmers to have strong national and international linkages. This was contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in New Delhi, India, Bangwe Naviley.