GOVERNMENT has turned to Vietnam for lessons on improving agricultural productivity as smallholder farmers continue to struggle despite significant government spending in the sector.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo are in Vietnam for a study visit organised by the World Bank Group, where they have been meeting senior government officials to understand how the Asian nation transformed its agriculture sector.
During the visit, the Zambian delegation held talks with Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung.
Dr Musokotwane said Zambia continues to invest large amounts of public resources in agriculture, but productivity among smallholder farmers remains low.
“We are investing significant public resources in agriculture to enhance food security and economic growth, but the sector still needs reforms to ensure better productivity and stronger returns from that spending,” he said.
Dr Musokotwane added that the government wants to understand how Vietnam has managed to achieve high agricultural output with comparatively lower public spending.
Meanwhile, Mtolo said Zambia is seeking practical lessons from Vietnam on irrigation development, mechanisation and market systems that can help farmers increase production and incomes.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, but low productivity among smallholder farmers continues to limit the sector’s full contribution to national economic growth,” he said.
Once a food-deficit nation, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading agricultural success stories.
The country is now among the largest exporters of rice, coffee, cashew nuts and black pepper, with agriculture playing a central role in supporting rural livelihoods and economic growth.
Government hopes Zambia will learn from Vietnam’s transformation in order to improve productivity among smallholder farmers and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the country’s economy.
By Haggai Hamunyemba
Kalemba, March 10, 2026
