2016 Agritech Expo a Success Thanks to – Everyone!
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| Some of the new technologies exhibited at the 2016’s edition of the Agritech Expo in Chisamba |
The Agritech Expo this year was a resounding success, thanks to the hard work of our staff and the welcome by local and international attendees.
Musika, which has been a key partner of Agritech Expo from 2014, interacted with several clients that included farmers, firms and partners at its stand this year.
The Agritech Expo 2016 which has been built on the many successes of the 2015 version and the third in the series was officially opened by President Edgar Lungu.
Speaking during the official opening on 15th April, 2016, the President assured the farmers that his government will fully support agricultural development to enhance food security nationally and regionally.
“We’ll ensure that the agriculture sector is given maximum support through the provision of an appropriate policy environment, budgetary allocations and the continued implementation of various programmes in the sector,” President Lungu said.
He, however, explained that Zambia can only achieve status of being the food basket for the region if the small scale farmers who are the major producers of grain improved their productivity by adopting appropriate farming technologies.
The President also appealed to the farming community to be less dependent on rain fed agriculture for Zambia to earn the status of being a grain basket for the region.
He said this was already being demonstrated by some of the irrigation projects that have been initiated in certain areas such as the Momboshi Irrigation project in Chisamba.
The President also urged the private sector not exploit farmers by offering them low prices for their produce.
Meanwhile, minister of Agriculture, Given Lubinda assured that the country was food secure this year following a stock audit that was carried out last week.
In terms of maize production this year, the minister said the country would produce not less than 2mln tonnes. He also praised all the partners for putting up yet another successful expo.
This year’s, Agritech Expo which has increased exhibition space, had in excess of 135 exhibitors, and attracted over 15 000 visitors.
The Agritech Expo is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. The event is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union. Musika has been a key partner of Agritech Expo from 2014.