Brazilian renowned Agro Professor, Paulo Hartmann says there is a need for African Countries to invest more in the Agricultural sector to sustain their economies during this time of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Prof. Hartmann, who is President of the Educational Foundation of Patos De Minas in Brazil, said investing in the agricultural industry as well as technology has proved to be a quicker way of attaining economic gains.
Prof. Hartmann was speaking when he was addressing African Ambassadors during a Virtual Meeting in Brasilia.
He emphasized the need for individual African countries to empower young people with the necessary agricultural technology and skills to make them self-sustainable.
Prof. Hartmann said a good farming industry helps to revitalize a nation’s economy in difficult times especially when the World is grappling with COVID-19.
He has encouraged African dignitaries and their Governments to boost small-scale farming as it has the capacity to create economic growth.
And Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Alfreda Kansembe-Mwamba welcomed the remarks made by Professor Hartmann, further indicating that Zambia was already moving in the right direction with growing agricultural and technology advancement.
Dr Kansembe-Mwamba said a viable Agricultural industry is vital in sustaining the country’s food basket in difficult times such as droughts and floods.
She said Agriculture will always remain a backbone of the development of any economy as it also plays a pivotal role in employment creation.
The Zambian Envoy has since encouraged Zambian youths to take interest in studying advanced Agri-business technology courses that have the capacity to promote entrepreneurship and skills development.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS today by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in Brazil, Grace Makowane.