LUSAKA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Participants in a China-aided agricultural mechanization training program in Lusaka hailed the initiative on Friday, saying it will help Zambia modernize its agricultural sector.
The program, which ran from Sept. 21 to Oct. 18, has trained 40 officials and technicians from Zambia's Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Ministry of Agriculture. It was organized by Camco College, a subsidiary of Camco Group, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences (CAAMS).
The training covered modern agricultural machinery, high-efficiency irrigation, conservation tillage, new energy applications, and post-harvest technologies.
Boston Michelo, a senior livestock production and extension officer at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Western Province, said the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the training would help advance agricultural mechanization across the country.
He expressed gratitude to CAAMS and the Chinese technical experts, saying the program has equipped participants with knowledge of international best practices in conservation tillage, irrigation, and new energy applications.
Chizumba Shepande, permanent secretary for administration at the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that strengthening the technical capacity of agricultural personnel is essential to ensuring machinery delivers tangible benefits to farmers and the wider economy.
He noted that the combination of technical instruction, practical exercises, professional exchanges, and institutional visits helped participants understand how mechanization technologies can be applied across different agricultural production systems.
The skills acquired will enable participants to improve farming operations, maintain equipment, and support local farmers in adopting appropriate technologies, Shepande added.
Li Tie, chairman of Camco Group, said the training demonstrated the potential of China-Zambia cooperation in meeting farmers' needs through collaboration among governments, research institutions, training providers, and industry.
He added that the company will continue working with the Zambian government to provide practical training and promote agricultural machinery as a key driver of agricultural growth.
