The Zambian and Turkish Governments have agreed to immediately start implementation of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in the field of Forestry.

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata and Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Bekir Pakdemirli agreed during a bilateral meeting in Ankara today that it is important for the two countries to start implementation of the issues contained in the co-operation agreement for the mutual benefits of the two countries.

The Minister said shortly after the bilateral meeting that her Turkish counterpart has promised to send a team of technocrats to Zambia in October this year, to provide technical support in the areas of forestry, fish farming and land survey.

She has also expressed concern about the high levels of deforestation in Zambia arising from indiscriminate cutting down of trees for charcoal production.

Ms Kapata says to address the problem of deforestation, Government has embarked on a project to buy 15,000 seedlings of a special solid bamboo species at a cost of K375, 000.

The Minister says Government will give each province 1,500 seedlings of this special solid bamboo species, which will be distributed to all districts.

The Minister has since called on Zambians to support the Forestry Department as Government undertakes the project.

And Mr Pakdemirli said the Turkish Government is ready to provide the necessary support to the Zambian Government to ensure the successful implementation of the MoU.

This is contained in a statement issued to the media by Zambia’s Embassy in Turkey First Press Secretary Jerry Munthali.