Wina urges youths to be productive
By staff Reporter
Vice-President Inonge Wina has urged youths to produce honey, vegetables, fruits, fish and livestock products for local and export markets.
In a statement made available to NewsdayZambia.com yesterday by Steven Mwansa, permanent secretary in charge of administration in her office Vice-President Wina reiterated the vast potential in Zambia’s youth that should be optimally utilised to boost productivity and production in apiculture, aquaculture, agriculture and agro processing as well as livestock production.
“There is need to take advantage of the US$20 million honey export deal to the European union as well as the Chinese market that has opened up. I’m happy with the recent effort by ministry of commerce, trade and industry, the Zambia Development agency and local entrepreneurs for clinching the deal to export honey, vegetables, fruits and other products,” she said
She was elated by efforts to bring women and youths into the aquaculture development programmes spearheaded by the ministry of fisheries and livestock.
“ With more fisheries officers assigned to more water endowed areas for on-site training, increasing production of fingerlings and engagement of private sector to fabricate cages, buttress on by accessible financing through the ministry and the citizen’s economic empowerment commission, our youth and women will rise to the occasion,” Wina said.
“ I urged youth to accelerate the formation of honey cooperatives with the assistance of the ministry of commerce trade and industry and relevant statutory bodies like the Zambia Development Agency, the citizen’s economic empowerment commission and the Zambia bureau of standards to facilitate production, standards and market access for honey and other products. I also urge the young people to seize the goat export opportunities created by the Zambia – Saudi Arabia export deal,” she said .
“ I’m therefore challenging Members of Parliament to help youths in their constituencies to seize these opportunities , especially this time when most of them are in their constituencies. Beneficiaries of honey and aquaculture funding initiatives should be identified at district level through ward development committees, onwards to constituencies and during evaluation of access to funding, especially for aquaculture should not be made unnecessary and elaborate,” Wina said.
