A recent visit by the Finnish Ambassador to see the activities of Zambia’s National Farmers Union in Choma and a small-scale farmers’ association has confirmed the Finnish Government’s commitment to support agriculture and agroforestry in Zambia.

During the visit, Asgar Nymann, chair of the Choma/Kalomo district farmers association, called for a revamp of agroforestry and said more farmers need to be encouraged into the sector.

“It is difficult to get small-scale farmers to plant trees as it is a long-term business. If we can get the necessary help, we can set up a timber milling industry for value addition,” said Nymann.

Ambassador Anttinen commented that “Zambia’s forestry resource base is slowly disappearing and the country has no plantation to replace the trees that are being cut down for either charcoal or for sawmilling”.

The Finnish support of agriculture and agroforestry in Zambia is aimed at enhancing food security and wealth creation by boosting job creation among the rural populace.

Read the full story in the Zambia Daily Mail: Finnish Government committed