Zambia, Kenya Deepen Partnership on Soil Health and Agriculture
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, His Excellency Alfred Musemuna, has reaffirmed the growing cooperation between Zambia and Kenya in strengthening soil health and advancing sustainable agricultural development across the region.
Ambassador Musemuna noted that both countries face similar agricultural challenges and share a common ambition to enhance productivity and food security. He stressed that collaboration and the exchange of knowledge are essential in restoring soil fertility and improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
“Through collaboration and the sharing of best practices, we can significantly improve our collective efforts to restore soil health, raise productivity, and uplift rural communities,” he said.
The High Commissioner made the remarks when he received a high-level Zambian delegation comprising officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), the National Association for Small-Scale Farmers, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Led by Dr Patrick Chikoti of ZARI, the delegation is in Kenya to learn from the country’s progress in domesticating and implementing the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP), a ten-year continental framework endorsed by African Heads of State during the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit held in Nairobi in May 2024.
Dr Chikoti emphasised the vital link between soil health and national agricultural performance, particularly for smallholder farmers.
“We are committed to drawing lessons from Kenya’s success in sustaining soil productivity and overcoming the challenges faced by our farmers. This mission aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision to scale up Zambia’s agricultural output, including producing 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 1 million metric tonnes of soybeans, 1 million metric tonnes of wheat, and cultivating 1 million hectares under various crops by 2030,” he said.
During their visit, the Zambian delegation engaged with Kenya’s Technical Working Group, consultants, and private sector stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to soil restoration, fertiliser management, and sustainable land use.
The insights gained from these engagements are expected to guide Zambia’s strategies for improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices.
