Zambia: ZCF, Netherlands NGO Sign Poverty Reduction Pact

from All Africa

The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

Lusaka

THE Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF) has signed a partnership agreement with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) aimed at reducing poverty among small-scale farmers in Zambia.

The agreement, which was signed in Lusaka on Thursday, would also improve Government's implementation of grain marketing and supply of inputs to more than 1.3 million small-scale farmers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, ZCF managing director, Argent Chuula, said the agreement was an important milestone towards improving the welfare of the small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs.

He said the institution was convinced that the partnership with SNV would help it to effectively contribute to the well-being of poor people in the country.

"The signing of this agreement is a landmark towards reducing poverty among the small enterprises, small-scale farmers and a birth of a movement that will empower the people to succeed," he said.

The partnership would also strengthen capacity building programmes among its members and extend knowledge to people at the grassroots level.

SNV Zambia director, Jennifer Willis, said the partnership was built upon the strong basis of helping the poor in Zambia.

Ms Willis said the partnership would enable the two institutions to help poor communities through job creation.

"This partnership is good and strong on the basis of one common goal of assisting more people in society. With you, we will be able to assist more people through capacity building," she said.