FAO says there is need for the governments in the African countries to come with good quality policies in order to improve agricultural development in the region.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says there is need for the governments in the African countries to come with good quality policies in order to improve agricultural development in the region.

FAO Regional Representative for Africa MARIA SEMEDO says Africa is the regional with the highest proportion of people suffering from hunger in the world hence the need to improve agricultural development so as to reduce the number of people suffering from food insecurity.

Ms SEMEDO says FAO representatives in the Southern African region are currently discussing ways of working together and give best advice to governments on the quality agricultural policies.

She the organization is looking at a there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed such as the issue of market and rising food prices governments can develop sustainable agricultural policies that will provide long term response to the crisis of food insecurity.

Ms SEMEDO told journalists during a media briefing in Lusaka today that political instability is the major cause of food insecurity.

She said currently, the UN has to find how to supply food to some countries that were importing food from North Africa.

And the Zambian Government has embarked on the process of conducting business license reforms aimed at the making the seed business environment friendly.

Agriculture and Co-operatives Acting Permanent Secretary JULIAS SHAWA says the process, which has reached an advanced stage, will contribute positively in seed business in Zambia.

Mr. SHAWA says seed control is a very cardinal component of the seed system as it benefits both the farmers and facilitates international seed trade.

He explained that the country, together with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the Southern African Development Community are currently working on efforts aimed at harmonizing seed regulations to promote seed trade in the region and beyond.

Mr. SHAWA said this when he officiated at a two week Licensing course for seed industry personnel in Lusaka today.

He urged the trainees to work together with the ministry to address the challenges that the seed industry continues to face such as the sale of illegal seed to the farming community.

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