The Small-Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) has called on small scale farmers in the country to take advantage of the ready export market created by China, following its interest to purchase 3 million metric tonnes of soya beans.

SAFADA Executive Director, Boyd Moobwe says the development is an opportunity for Zambian farmers to tap into China’s huge agriculture export market and position themselves for other opportunities on the international market.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr Moobwe emphasised that tapping into the international market will expose farmers to the international standards and requirements for quality production, hence helping them to grow in the sector.

Mr Moobwe however, expressed hope that tangible opportunities that will seriously benefit farmers will arise from the development as some similar opportunities in the past had proved otherwise.

“This opportunity is good for us, a lot of small scale farmers can participate in this venture and produce soya beans so that they can also benefit from this major agriculture export.,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Moobwe indicated that SAFADA is happy that the government through the Ministry of Defence is also exploring ways to contribute to the increased production of soya beans to enable the country to meet the 3 million tonnes ready market.