Minister of Agriculture Calls for Transformation in Agri-Food Systems
Hon. Reuben Mtolo MP, Minister of Agriculture for Zambia, has emphasised the urgent need to make agri-food systems more efficient, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Speaking at the official opening of the three-day 12th Plenary Session of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Hon. Mtolo highlighted the critical importance of soil health, appropriate crop selection, and efficient water and fertilizer use in the face of unprecedented global challenges.
“This aligns very well with the Agenda 2030 on agri-food systems transformation and a better life, leaving no one behind,” Hon. Mtolo stated.
During his address, Hon. Mtolo informed attendees about the SoilFer project, a significant initiative supported by the United States Government in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Zambia, as a beneficiary in Sub-Saharan Africa, will gain from SoilFer’s digital solutions aimed at enhancing land use, crop suitability, fertilizer recommendations, and sustainable soil management.
SoilFer, a four-year project running from April 2023 to 2027, seeks to tackle challenges related to low soil fertility and productivity. It aims to improve the entire soil management cycle and includes the establishment of a soil monitoring system to adapt to climate and socio-economic factors.
The Minister underscored the essential role of soil as a natural resource in food production. Addressing the drought situation affecting many countries in the region, including Zambia, Hon. Mtolo appealed to the GSP and FAO for continued collaboration with the Zambian government on adaptation and emergency responses to climate change impacts.
