Moyo urges greater small-scale farmer participation in coffee production

The minister challenged the Coffee Board to encourage more farmers, particularly small-scale producers, to venture into coffee farming.

He said small-scale farmers needed support in accessing quality planting materials, extension services, affordable financing, modern farming technologies and reliable markets to participate effectively in commercial agriculture.

Moyo said bringing more small-scale farmers into the coffee value chain would increase national output while creating additional income opportunities for rural households.

He also called for greater investment in productivity, mechanisation, innovation and agro-processing, saying agricultural transformation should extend beyond primary production.

Moyo said strengthening the coffee value chain, from cultivation to processing and marketing, would enable Zambia to retain more economic value from its agricultural products rather than relying mainly on exports of raw commodities.

He said a competitive coffee industry could support economic diversification, rural industrialisation and sustainable employment, particularly in communities dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Moyo said the Government was committed to creating an enabling environment for agricultural institutions and private-sector players to work together to expand production and improve the competitiveness of the sector under the Grow Zambia Agenda.

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