Government has expressed concern over the continued low production of rice in the country.
Speaking at the SADC Regional Forum to Review and Validate the Regional Rice Development Strategy, Ministry of Agriculture, Principal Agricultural Officer Louis Chikopela said the current rice production in the country is One tonne per hectare which is insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Mr. Chikopela however notes that rice is among the prioritized crops in the country as it provides food security and job opportunities for youths and women.
Speaking at the same event, JICA Zambia Senior Representative Keita Izumi notes that the consumption of rice in the SADC region has been growing while production has remained static leading to a deficit across the region.
