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The Zambian government has agreed to offer Kenyan farmers land for large-scale farming as part of the efforts to achieve food security.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi made the announcement after holding talks with his Zambian counterpart Reuben Mtolo in Lusaka on Monday.
Linturi said Kenya and Zambia will sign a memorandum of understanding to allocate Kenyan farmers 20,000 hectares of land for large-scale farming.
“The deal will help us to achieve food security by allowing Kenyan farmers to get permits to practice farming in Zambia and export the food to Kenya,” Linturi said.
On his part, Mtolo said the partnership will boost Kenya’s ambition to attain food security since the Zambia weather patterns are more favorable for food production.
“We have agreed to allow Kenyan farmers to start large-scale farming in Zambia and export their harvests to Kenya. We have one of the best farms and weather in Zambia which is favorable for farming and it will be beneficial to Kenyans,” Mtolo stated.
Further to this, Zambia agreed to supply Kenya with its surplus maize as a short-term measure of the current drought situation in Kenya.
“Our short-term measure is to stabilize Kenya maize flour demands and prices. However, our long term plan is to engage large scale farmers who will produce maize specifically for the Kenyan market,” Mtolo noted.
CS Linturi hailed the Zambian government for its willingness to collaborate with Kenya in making both countries food secure.
“President William Ruto’s government will do everything possible to bring down the cost of food by adopting creative measures like such collaborations. I am happy that the government of Zambia is willing to offer Kenyan farmers farm blocks where they can produce food for export markets,” he said.
Linturi was accompanied by Crops Development Principal Secretary Kello Harsama, and Kenyan Ambassador in Zambia Flora Karugu, among other officials.
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We need long term measures in the country not outside the country.
Arap😁Mashamba will GRAB it (in the Name of KENYAn farmers).
Dejan vu, all over again. The late Zambia president, Kaunda. Had made a similar offer to president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. However the deal was later canceled after Nyerere convinced Kaunda to do so. The fear was that after you let the Kikuyus in you will never get them out. Let's hope this time it will come to fruition.
M.Kiratu, reading about the fear Nyerere had,reminds me of what is going to in Tunisia.Iam surprised that is has not gotten much traction.
My understanding is that the president of Tunisia,Saied gave a speech to his nation stating that there is a conspiracy by Black Africans to "blackanize" Tunisia so that they Arabs are they minority. This speech has resulted in attacks of black africans is Tunisia. I believe Ghana,and Ivory Coast has sent planes there to repatriate their citizens.
It is unfortunate that crooked politicians from time to time have been known to use fear to divide people. Therefore, we should be very careful to whom we give our votes.Politics of divisiveness tear unity and breeds hatred where peace,and unity could flourish. Yes it comes down to what kind of leaders do we need,and what type of country do we want.Vote wisely.
Some of these statements don't make any sense. On 3/3/2023, Ruto donated 300000 acres Eni Spa, an Italian Farm. Today, according to Lintuli, Zambia is offering 20000 ha to "Kenyan Farmers" (Lintuli will provide names on a separate posting). It would be much easier (less paperwork) and more productive for Kenya to provide the 300000 acres to "Kenyan Farmers", and we let the Zambians provide the 20000 ha directly to the Italians. BTW How come Italy is not providing anything, even a plot?
Dont we have Shona people from Zambia who have lived in Kenya for so long,but its only recently that they were a warded citizenship,and land...?
LIke the say the devil is in the details.Probably this was factored in the deal.The only difference is that Zambia does not want "fair exchange" deal on land.My two cents.
Maxiley, we don't have Shonas in Zambia, that's in Zimbabwe!
Hata sielewi. Things don't add up lately. I think I am suffering from information overload...
Why not South Sudan, Uganda or Congo where soil doesn't need fertilizer?
Hopefully they will produce maize and not play import export games