A high level group of farmers keen to invest in Zambia has left South Africa by road to Zambia.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has told Money FM News in a statement that the investment tour is organized in conjunction with Agri All Africa and its Strategic Partners.

Agri All Africa focuses on developing investment opportunities in Africa through establishing resource synergies and collaborative ventures between itself and partners for the ultimate benefit of the host country and its people.

He said the farmers decided to go by road as this afforded them an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the country.

Mr. Mwamba said the High Commission was linking farming projects opportunities in the provinces with farmers in South Africa.

He said he was excited because the plan involved helping to develop small-holder and medium farmers in the country.

The project portfolio is continually expanded with the objective of building sustainable and commercially viable businesses to bridge the investment opportunity and development gap in Zambia.

Mr. Mwamba said Zambia was a top agriculture investment destination for Agri All Africa and many international agricultural investors because of its favourable climate, water resource, good infrastructure and favourable investment laws.

Mr. Mwamba said his office was calling for sustainable commercial farming platforms that involved uplifting communities and creating wealth for them as well as for the investors.

Mr. Mwamba said the investment tour is taking place prior to the forthcoming strategic investment conference – scheduled for 25 October 2018 in Johannesburg, “Invest in Zambia 2018” which will.be addressed by Minister of Commerce, Hon. Christopher Yaluma and Northern Province Minister Hon Brian Mundubile.

The group of farmers that hail from all over South Africa, are keen to invest in farmland and agri value-chain development in Zambia.

The team will visit various places including Lufwanyama, where diverse farming opportunities have presented itself.

Although the focus will be on sub-tropical commodities, the area lends itself to much wider diverse farming opportunities.

Mr. Mwamba said the Embassy was collaborating with Agri All Africa as the entity focuses on a holistic approach – which includes promoting; out-grower development schemes, and the training and education of smallholder farmers up to commercial level.

This includes the covering of community development aspects like infrastructure, education, water and energy delivery, health and several others.

He said AoA has also entered into an agreement and committed to co-operate with a local university in promoting academic work related to Agriculture.

Mr. Mwamba also announced that the “3rd Invest in Zambia Forum” held by the Zambia-South Africa Business Forum is an event held annually and was supported by Liberty Group.

He said the “3rd Investment in Zambia Forum” will have a special focus on agriculture and agro-processing.