Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)

Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential

In a bid to capitalise on the livestock and arable land in Zambia and Burundi, the two countries have agreed in principle to review the existing bilateral trade agreement in agricultur­al products under memoranda of understand­ing (MoUs) and to bolster foreign exchange earnings.

Zambia and Burundi have trade agreements under way and import and export to and from each other maize, raw sugar, rolled tobacco, and wheat, among other produce.

Trade export volumes in commoditie­s like salt, sulphur, sand, stone, plaster, lime and cement, grains, sugar and sugar confection­ery over the past five years have averaged US$25,05 million (around R445,7 million).

Under the two new MoUs, as well as another to encourage research in agricultur­e, fisheries and livestock, Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema and Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimi­ye hope to double trade volumes through new and existing infrastruc­ture. A communiqué signed by the two leaders noted that an effective trade and research partnershi­p would prompt the improvemen­t of port and maritime infrastruc­ture, as well as enhance developmen­t on the Lake Tanganyika Transport Corridor.

Arabica coffee is Burundi’s main export crop, followed by maize, cassava, sorghum, beans, cotton and tea. Around half of the country’s land is considered arable, while about one-third is suitable for pasture.

The MoUs take cognisance of the regional and internatio­nal treaties under way on the continent, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

In addition, they show commitment to supporting the emerging trade orders under the African Continenta­l Free Trade Area and Tripartite Free Trade Area agreements.