….for transforming agriculture sector, calls for scaled up interventions towards meeting SDG number 2 against hunger by 2030
Lusaka… Thursday March 14, 2024
Government’s will to transform the Agriculture sector is commendable, says the Civil Society Organization scaling up Nutrition Alliance (CSO-SUN).
The organization has since called for scaled up interventions towards meeting Sustainable Development Goals number 2 against hunger by 2030.
CSO-SUN Country Coordinator Daniel Kalala says the pronouncement by the Head of state during Youth Day commemoration on waiving taxes on all agriculture, irrigation equipment is a step in the right direction amidst sever effects of climate change.
Mr Kalala said effective implementation of such progressive pronouncement means the country is moving in the right direction to the attainment of food and nutrition security.
“We however hope that a time frame would be stipulated and communicated effectively to the nation as to when these tax waivers would be fully implemented. As Civil Society Organization scaling up Nutrition Alliance (CSO-SUN), we remain concerned with the escalating poverty levels charaterised by the high cost of commodities and we therefore expect that President Hakainde Hichilma will tomorrow 15th March 2024 during the state of the nation address clearly show the road map towards eliminating hunger and poverty in the country.
It is without doubt that Government is striving to ensure food and nutrition security, however we are convinced that there is more to be done in this regard,” he said.
“The recent new comparable results by the Zambia Statics Agency (ZAMSTATS) 2022 poverty assessments report which showed an increase in poverty levels of 60% percent compared to 54.4% in 2015 should be a constant wake up call for the country in ensuring that all underlining challenges surrounding attaining food and nutrition security are addressed.”
He urged government to remain steadfast in efforts aimed at enhancing access to basic foods which include mealie-meal.
“Lastly we call for effective implementation of the National Food and Nutrition policy and the 8NDP with the view to achieve sustainable food and nutrition security and have a well-nourished and healthy population that can effectively contribute to national economic development,” he concluded.