CTPD expects more funding in 2015 agro sector budget

0
Banner 3
Banner 3

—-The Centre for Trade, Policy and Development (CTPD) hopes that the 2015 National Budget will increase its budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector.

Organization Executive Director, Isabel Mukelabai, noted that the agricultural sector is the main driver of the economy as it provides both employment and food to the masses.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today Ms Mukelaba said the agricultural sector is more profitable than the mining sector hence more need for budgetary allocation.

Ms Mukelabai said agriculture has a direct effect on the masses hence more attention needs to be attached to it.

She said agriculture extension services should also be enhanced as this will encourage small scale farmers to engage more in the sector.

Ms Mukelabai said the agricultural sector is a key in the development of the economy and government should find a mechanism that will encourage crop diversity.

She said an increased budgetary allocation is important as it will ensure that agricultural extension services are enhanced.

She said this will also ensure that irrigation services are extended even to rural parts of the country so that all Zambians can benefit.

Meanwhile, Zambia HIV/AIDS Human Rights Programme (ZAMDHARP) Executive Director, Elijah Ngwale, says there is need to fund every ministry on disability activities.

Mr Ngwale says few ministries have activities that are related to the plight of the disabled in the country and, therefore, they are left out in many programs.

He says many ministries do not even have any disability policy which makes it a challenge for the disabled that are either employed or accessing services.

Mr Ngwale says government should also come up with a policy to deliberately employ more   disabled persons in order to cushion the pressure of unemployment.

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY