The Zambian Government has thanked the German Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity for partnering with the University of Zambia through the School of Agricultural Sciences and Natural and Applied Sciences for initiating a project to promote Indigenous and Underutilised Crops (IUCs).
Speaking during the Academic Symposium themed “Indigenous and Underutilised Crops (IUCs)” under the collaborative project entitled “GREEN FUTURES – CAPACITY AND COOPERATION FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF AGRICULTURE,” Ministry of Agriculture Director Dr. Chizumba Shepande, in a speech read on his behalf by Principal Agriculture Specialist Mr. Blesswell Moonga, said such initiatives by the university align with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) under Development Outcome 1, Strategy 4, where the government wants to enhance science, technology, and innovation.
Dr. Shepande said initiating such a project could not come at a better time than this because its overall project feeds into most of the development outcomes of the 8NDP, such as the outcome of an industrialized and diversified economy, specifically Strategy 1: Increase Agricultural Production and Productivity.
He said agriculture was one of the pillars for fostering national economic and social development and that it does not only provide human beings with food security but also contributes significantly to employment, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. Dr. Shepande revealed that currently, agriculture provides a livelihood to more than 70 percent of Zambia’s population; however, the sector, particularly the crop production subsector, is immensely vulnerable to climate change as well as other challenges, such as resource scarcity, to meet the need for innovative technologies and practices.
“This is why the role played by educational institutions, like the University of Zambia, is crucial in shaping the future of agriculture. Therefore, this collaborative project is a welcome development, as it addresses some of the key challenges that the government is grappling with, and these specific challenges include climate change, decline in biodiversity, post-harvest losses, and lack of value addition. I am pleased to note that the various themes that the project is addressing are highlighted in the 8NDP,” he said.
Dr. Shepande added that the project was not only timely but also essential, as it is supplementing efforts by the government. “Let me take this opportunity to pay special recognition and gratitude to the German Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity for funding this important project,” he said.
Speaking in line with the theme of the symposium, Dr. Shepande said Zambia has a variety of indigenous and underutilised crops that offer nutritional diversity, resilience to climate change, and potential for economic development, such as traditional vegetables like amaranth, pumpkin leaves, cassava leaves, and African eggplant, as well as drought-tolerant cereals like sorghum and millet, and various wild fruits. “Many of these are underutilized, and not fully integrated into research, policy, or market systems. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen value chains (processing, packaging, and marketing), promote research and development (on improving varieties and production), raise awareness on the benefits of the indigenous and underutilised crops and most importantly, have policies that support the development and commercialization of these crops and fruits,” he said.
Dr. Shepande further said academic events such as this symposium are crucial in helping the government raise awareness and share works on indigenous and underutilised crops. “Through such mutually beneficial partnerships, we can enhance Zambia’s food security, diversify its agricultural sector, and improve livelihoods for its rural communities. As a government, we envisage an efficient, competitive, and sustainable agricultural sector, which assures food and nutrition security, increased employment opportunities, and incomes,” he said.
Speaking at the same function, the University of Zambia (UNZA) Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Prof. Trywell Kalusopa, said indigenous and underutilised crops hold immense and often untapped potential for addressing some of Africa's most pressing challenges that include, but not limited to, enhancing food and nutrition security, adapting and building resilience to climate change, economic empowerment and livelihoods, and cultural preservation and traditional knowledge.
Prof. Kalusopa said despite their immense importance, indigenous and underutilised crops face challenges, among others, inadequate research and lack of prioritization in national agricultural policies.
He said there was a need to increase investment in research, breeding, and value addition; supportive policies that actively promote their cultivation and consumption; alongside consumer awareness campaigns; and efforts to document and integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches. “By doing so, indigenous and underutilized crops can play a transformative role in building more resilient, nutritious, and economically vibrant food systems across Africa,” he said.
Prof. Kalusopa said he was pleased to note that the project has a strong focus on issues of climate change, agro-biodiversity, innovation and technology transfer, and capacity building, all of which are important for our country, Zambia.
“I wish therefore to recognise the tremendous efforts being made by the School of Agricultural Sciences through the Departments of Land Management and Food Science & Nutrition and the School of Natural and Applied Sciences through the Department of Computer Science at the University of Zambia. My congratulations also go to our partners: Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) of Germany, along with the consortium partners Stellenbosch University (SU) of South Africa, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) of Kenya, and Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdji Ibrahima NIASS (USSEIN) of Senegal,” he said.
Prof. Kalusopa said during the visit by the German Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity to the University of Zambia last year, the vice chancellor of the University of Zambia pledged support to the successful implementation of the Green Futures Project until it achieves its goals. He said the holding of this symposium on Indigenous and Underutilized Crops, a training workshop in R programming, and three other training workshops on circular economy, agro-biodiversity, and agro-processing innovations under the framework of the Green Futures project here in Zambia is a clear testament of the vice chancellor’s support for this project.
He said the University of Zambia's Strategic Plan for 2023–2027 strongly encourages closer partnerships with both the private and public sectors, which can be achieved through vital research collaborations like this one. “These partnerships ensure that the University remains relevant to the community. Therefore, I want to thank all the various stakeholders who have responded to our call for this partnership and sharing of ideas. I warmly invite you to actively participate in all the sessions of this symposium,” he said.
Meanwhile, UNZA School of Agricultural Sciences Dean Prof. Thomson Kalinda said the engagement in projects like 'Green Futures' exemplifies the school’ dedication to forging impactful partnerships that address pressing global challenges.
He said the School of Agricultural Sciences, with its five specialized departments, namely Agricultural Economics and Extension, Animal Science, Food Science and Nutrition, Land Management, and Plant Science, is at the forefront of this agriculture transformation. Through the robust undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and extensive research and outreach, the school plays a pivotal role in serving the Zambian community and beyond.
Prof. Kalinda said the main objective of the Green Futures project is to empower and support marginalised groups in Southern Africa's agricultural sector through vital knowledge transfer and capacity development. “This ambitious goal is pursued through seven interconnected work packages, each critical to building a sustainable future, and the work packages include project management, water management for climate change resilience, circular economy, agro-biodiversity, indigenous crops, agro food innovation, and applied data science,” he said.