May 5, 2026 | 10:42 GMT +7
Hotline: 0913.378.918
May 5, 2026 | 10:42 GMT +7
Hotline: 0913.378.918
President Hakainde Hichilema and his Cabinet today met former Viet Nam's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Cao Duc Phat, who presented on Viet Nam's transformation from subsistence farming into one of the world's leading agricultural exporters. The presentation had direct relevance to Zambia's own ambitions.
President Hakainde Hichilema and his Cabinet met former Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Cao Duc Phat. Photo: State House of Zambia.
Dr. Phat outlined how Viet Nam's Đổi Mới reforms - the landmark 1986 liberalisation programme that opened the country's economy to market forces - transformed its agricultural sector into a highly productive, export-oriented industry. Viet Nam's agricultural exports reached approximately US$70.1 billion in 2025, driven by strong financing mechanisms, investment in irrigation and rural infrastructure, and the rapid adoption of digital technologies.
President Hichilema expressed strong admiration for Viet Nam's success, stating that it offers practical and actionable lessons for Zambia. He reaffirmed clear national production targets: 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 1 million metric tonnes of wheat, and 1 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually by 2031. Achieving these will require a fundamental transformation of Zambia's agricultural sector.
The President highlighted the ongoing Presidential Irrigation Programme as central to this transformation, aimed at reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture, expanding all-year-round production, and improving resilience to climate change across Zambia's farming communities.
President Hichilema called for cooperation with Viet Nam to be elevated to a formal Economic Partnership, focused on trade, investment, technology transfer and skills development. He noted that a high-level delegation comprising Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane and Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo recently visited Viet Nam on a study tour, and that insights from Viet Nam's experience will be adapted to Zambia's local context to enhance food security, boost exports and improve farmer incomes.
The President's message was clear. The time to act on Zambia’s agricultural potential is now.
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