Bird Watch Zambia Programmes Manager Mary Malasa has underscored the importance of wild birds in agriculture development. 

According to Ms Malasa, wild bird conservation was key in the economic emancipation of the country emphasising its agriculture benefit. 

Speaking in an interview, Ms Malasa said   by feeding on unwanted insects, in the farmland, wild birds control pests.   

She cited the band swallow which feeds on mosquitoes, thus acting as pest control organisms. 

Ms Malasa added that birds play an important role in pollination of crops, saying wild birds such as Sun Birds act as pollinators of plants thereby, promoting seed and fruit production. 

"The other thing is seed dispersal. Most of the birds' diet is based on seed and by feeding on that seed and dropping it different places as they fly, they help with seed dispersal and this supports generation of forests and eco-system, " she explained. 

Ms Malasa said wild birds were cardinal in recycling nutrients, saying their drops play act as fertiliser to the soil. 

She added that they help in weed control such that when they feed on the particular plant or seed, they reduce unwanted plants in the field. 

"... And they are indicators of our environment.  Where you see birds, you know that the environment is healthy and where you don't see birds, you know that there is something wrong because birds are very sensitive to the environment,

" Ms Malasa further explained.