Chisamba, Zambia, April 07, 2018 --(PR.com)-- The Zambian President, H.E. Edgar Lungu, will attend the official opening of the Agritech Expo Zambia outdoor farming exhibition that returns for the fifth time to Chisamba from 12-14 April. The event is expected to attract more than 22-thousand visitors this year and will feature some 270 local and international agri equipment and services suppliers. The theme of the President�s address during the opening ceremony on Friday, 13 April, will be: �Resilience part of Zambian nature: Applauding every step forward towards the modernisation of Zambian agriculture.� Mr Lungu will be joined by the Hon. Kampamba Mulenga, Zambia�s Minister of Fisheries and Livestock as well as the Hon. Michael Katambo, Minister in Zambia�s Ministry of Agriculture.

Marshall Plan for agriculture
Meanwhile, Mr. Jervis Zimba, President of the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and the owners of Agritech Expo Zambia, says while farmers have been through a difficult period recently �it is time to put the challenges behind us and have a fresh start.�

He adds: �The ZNFU is in the process of producing a Marshall Plan for short term, medium term and long term agricultural plans that, if adopted, could help propel the sector to a whole new level. As ZNFU, we have an open-door policy and are open to discussions. We would like to share our ideas and plans with government and other stakeholders, and hence platforms like Agritech Expo.�

Mr Zimba says farmers have already set the tone for the approach in agriculture development �with many taking the diversification case very religiously. We are seeing a shift in the way farmers are conducting business. Many are venturing into fruits and vegetables. There are some farmers that have started growing blueberries, macadamia nuts and such other cash crops. These need support by giving them incentives that would yield growth. They could be helped in the form of tax incentives. And look, the blueberry producer is expected to create 6000 jobs. Such developments need incentivising.�

He continues: �We have to grow agriculture. This year�s Agritech Expo would avail the latest technologies and agro innovations and machinery that would help the farmer pick up the pieces and start on a fresh agro-trajectory.�

The full interview with the ZNFU President can be read on the event website.

Official Opening Programme at Agritech Expo Zambia, Friday 13 April, ZNFU Marquee, GART, Chisamba

11h00: National anthem of Zambia: "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free," Performed by the Golden Valley School Choir, Zambia

11h05: Welcome remarks: Ashok Oza, Chairman, The Farmers Expo Board, Zambia

11h10: A match built on synergy and vision: Continuing the progress to Zambian Agriculture
Ellah Chembe, Acting Executive Director, Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU), Zambia

11h15: Welcome address: To fresh starts
Jervis Zimba, President, Zambia National Farmers Union , Zambia

11h20: Ministerial remarks: The progression of Zambia�s Fisheries and Livestock sector
Hon. Kampamba Mulenga, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Republic of Zambia*

11h30: Ministerial remarks and calling upon the Head of State
Hon. Michael Katambo, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Zambia

11h45: Guest of honour address: Resilience part of Zambian nature: Applauding every step forward towards the modernisation of Zambian agriculture

H.E. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of Republic of Zambia

12h15: VIP expo tour led by Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and Spintelligent

Industry support
The multi-award winning Agritech Expo Zambia returns to GART in Chisamba will also welcome international and country pavilions from the Czech Republic, the EU, Finland, Germany, the UK and Zimbabwe. Agritech Expo Zambia is free to attend for all visitors that pre-register.

As in previous years, Agritech Expo enjoys extensive support from the agri industry with well-known suppliers AFGRI and John Deere returning as platinum sponsors once again. Confirmed gold sponsors are SARO and Ursus.

Agritech Expo Zambia is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Another well-known agri event by Spintelligent is Farm-Tech Expo Kenya. Other landmark events by Spintelligent are African Utility Week, Future Energy East Africa, Future Energy Nigeria, DRC Mining Week, Nigeria Mining Week and Mining Baraza in Nairobi.

Agritech Expo Zambia 2018:
Pre-event press conference:
Monday, 9 April, 08h00, Protea Hotel, Lusaka

Farmers Preview Day:
Thursday 12 April 2018 | 09:00 - 17:00
Open to all agricultural professionals:
Friday 13 April 2018 | 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 14 April 2018 | 09:00 - 15:00
Location: Gart Research Centre, Chisamba, Zambia