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LUSAKA, Mar 25 - The Zambian government said here on Thursday that it has put measures to facilitate the export of cassava to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Mundia Sikatana told Xinhua that plans are underway to export cassava to the DRC in an effort to boost Zambia's agriculture performance and enhance regional trade.
Sikatana said the Zambian government has so far given substantial financial resources to the Kawambwa Tea company in Mansa, Luapula province, for the support of increased cassava cultivation.
He said in an effort to turn the country's economy round, the government has also put in place measures to encourage people to engage in cassava growing.
Sikatana explained that the government would particularly encourage people in Luapula and Western provinces to specialize in cassava production because of the comparative advantage they enjoy in the cultivation of the crop.
The minister also indicated Zambia's commitment to increasing maize production in an effort to sustain the exports.
He said the government is working hard to ensure that maize export go beyond 120,000 tons that had been exported to neighboring countries like Zimbabwe last year.
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