Hichilema anticipates mega harvest, plans ahead to secure alternative markets

The President said government must now shift focus from production to securing reliable markets both locally and internationally.

Hichilema also cautioned against abruptly closing export channels, noting that Zambia risks losing regional markets to competitors if it fails to maintain consistent supply.

“ [DR] Congo, South Africa took away our market now we are struggling to get it back because we shut it,” he said.

The President further urged Zambians to stop viewing foreign buyers, particularly from neighbouring countries like DR Congo, as smugglers, describing them instead as important customers who must be properly managed.

“I don’t want anyone calling Congolese, ‘smugglers’, those are our customers, let’s provide them with a proper channel of business,” he said.

He revealed that government was already engaging with some neighbouring countries that quietly need food supplies, in a bid to secure markets for the expected surplus.

Hichilema emphasised that while increasing production remains important, it must go hand in hand with market planning to ensure farmers benefit from their hard work.

Yesterday, the Presidential Delivery Unit convened National Delivery Day in Lusaka, bringing together government ministries and agencies to present progress across all presidential priority areas under the theme: Delivering for the People – From Commitments to Results.

The Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) was established in March 2023 by President Hakainde Hichilema to accelerate the implementation of high-priority government projects and ensure better service delivery.