Annual farmer's conference opens in Zambia

The ninety fifth annual conference of the Zambian national farmer's union opens today amid bleak predictions for the industry.

Agriculture is Zambia's second biggest industry after copper and the major source of income for many poor countries.

But the BBC correspondent in Lusaka says although there is no shortage of good land, only six per cent of Zambian territory is cultivated; with farmers struggling with the high cost of agricultural goods and a poor infrastructure.

The correspondent says without political will, the overall picture of Zambian agriculture will continue to be gloomy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service