H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Board Chair of AGRA, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, on November 6, 2025, at the State House in Lusaka to discuss advancing agricultural productivity through innovation, technology, and national development strategies.
The discussion focused on practical solutions to enhance food production, strengthen resilience to climate shocks, and unlock new opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses. H.E. Hailemariam emphasized that Zambia’s agriculture must embrace advanced agricultural biotechnology to withstand increasing climate pressures.
“Zambia, like many countries in the region, is experiencing climate-related challenges that impact crop yields and food security,” he said. “Through the adoption of advanced agricultural biotechnology and resilient seed varieties, the country can strengthen its food systems, enhance productivity, and achieve its national agricultural targets.”
President Hichilema welcomed the ideas, underscoring that food security is national security. He instructed his team to finalize the pending biosafety law and related agricultural policies to enable the safe adoption of modern technologies that improve crop yields and strengthen climate resilience. “Our goal is clear,” President Hichilema said. “Agriculture remains the best vehicle to take Zambia’s economy to middle-income status and beyond. We must leverage technology, enhance efficiency, and ensure our policies deliver tangible outcomes for our people.”
Both leaders emphasized that adopting advanced agricultural biotechnology, resilient seed systems, modern irrigation, and data-driven climate solutions will be vital to boosting productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and positioning Zambia as a leading food producer and exporter in the region.
