By Gift Chanda
Chief Bunda Bunda of the Soli people in Rufunsa District has called for closer collaboration between traditional leaders and the private sector to spur agricultural growth and rural development in chiefdoms.
He said the private sector is a key stakeholder in the fight against food insecurity and rural poverty, and acknowledged the potential that better coordination and collaboration with the private sector can offer in fulfilling the development aspirations of the chiefdoms.
The traditional leader made the remarks in Namwala during an exposure visit to Southern Province, organised by Musika as part of its initiative to encourage collaborative interactions between traditional leaders and agribusiness that aim to create sustainable commercial linkages.
The visit, which took place between 24th and 28th March 2019, provided a platform for exchange of ideas between Chief Bunda Bunda and the traditional leader in Southern Province concerning creation of an enabling environment for private sector investment, sustainable development and society’s wellbeing.
“Our takeaway message from this visit is that we need more collaboration with the private sector. We have seen that much can be achieved with the cooperation of the two parties to improve people’s wellbeing,” Chief Bunda Bunda said.
The traditional leader and his delegation which included seven members of his royal council had an opportunity to learn how other traditional leaders like Chief Chikanta, Chief Mukobela and Chief Macha, working with Musika, have been able to develop and cement commercial relationships with the private sector in a bid to foster sustainable development and promote food security in their chiefdoms.
The visit also included a tour of four milk collection centres established by Parmalat in Namwala district, with the support from Musika, which show cased how these facilities have increased access to an improved market for dairy farmers coupled with knowledge transfer and extension service provision.
The delegation also visited the Silverlands operation in Zimba district to understand how the company has managed to build a relationship with local farmers and how it is engaging with surrounding communities to help support and improve cattle production.
Here is a look at the traditional leaders’ visit in pictures…
