By Brian Mwale-

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development -CTPD- has urged government to develop strong linkages between the agriculture and manufacturing sectors in Zambia.

CTPD Trade and Development Researcher EMMANUEL MUMA says strong linkages should be developed through the ministries of agriculture and technology and science to be anchored by policies that promote technology.

He says this will help the agriculture sector with proven production technologies and supportive policies in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Mr. MUMA adds that technology in farming can help to further accelerate growth by ensuring higher crop yields, promoting climate smart agriculture practices, and enhancing farming sustainability.

He also notes that technology is also key in promoting industrial development and innovation for value addition and offering efficient means towards reducing post-harvest losses among small- scale farmers.

And Mr. MUMA says that the CTPD is saddened that small-scale producers are still facing market challenges for their produce across the supply chain.

He has advised the Zambia National Farmers Union -ZNFU- to address market challenges and demand for local agriculture produce in the manufacturing industry instead of suggesting that local producers are dumping high quantity vegetables on the local market.

Mr. MUMA adds that most locally produced goods still face limited access to organized markets such as chain stores as the challenge is worsened by weak linkages between agriculture and manufacturing sectors in Zambia.

He has also advised government to put more efforts towards enforcement and implementation of the Local Content Strategy to address locally produced goods demand constraints, promote productive and innovative capabilities for local firms.

This is contained in a statement availed to ZNBC NEWS in Lusaka today.

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