Source:Forum on China-Africa COOPERATION
“The generous support from the Chinese Ambassador will enhance the strategical development of local community and translate into a better future of the people of Mbeza”, said Prof. Nkandu Luo, MP, Hon. Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs on the hand over ceremony of Agricultural machines donated by H.E. Zhou Yuxiao, Chinese Ambassador to Zambian, to the Mebez community, Namwala District, Southern Province, held on October 12, 2013.
The agricultural machines donated by the Chinese Embassy
Other invited guests included Ambassador Zhou, Robert Sichinga, Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Senior Chief Namubala and hundreds of local people of Mbeza.
In their speeches, both Luo and Sichinga expressed their gratitude over the timely donations by the Chinese Ambassador, which they believe demonstrate the brotherhood of the Chinese people and all-weather friendship between China and Zambia. They also called upon local people to guard jealously the machines and fully utilize them to enhance food security and generate household income for local people. “We wish to see this community be built as a development model that can be copied throughout Zambia”,said Minister Luo.
Ambassador Zhou and Minister Luo cut ribbons for the machines
During his remarks, Ambassador Zhou listed three reasons to make this donation. “The first is to support the agricultural development of Zambia.”said Zhou. He pointed out that agriculture is much more precious than copper or diamonds because land can produce repeated harvests and ensure food security for generations and generations. Therefore the donation of agricultural machines shall be regarded as support to food security of Zambia which is indeed a peace and security issue.
Zhou said the second reason is to show friendship. “In this globalization world, no country can go ahead singlehandedly. We need to learn from each other, support each other and seek for common development”, said Amb. Zhou, “For Zambia, China will always be a friend-in-need and a friend-in-deed.”
Minister Sichinga starts the tractor's engine donated by the Chinese Embassy
According to Zhou, the third reason is to share China’s experience of rural development. Zhou used the development in his own hometown as an example, which developed from a dusty rural land into a modern township within last twenty years. He encouraged Zambian people to learn from China’s experience and use the donated machines to start their efforts of promoting cottage industry, so as to realize the objective of “more money in the pockets” and seek for a better future of rural area.
Ambassador Zhou address the ceremony
After the ceremony, all the invited guests had a tour of the donated agricultural machines included a tractor, a disc plough, a harrow, a planter, a maize sheller, a maize dehuller and a hammer mill.
