Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Govt to Open Farming Blocks in all Provinces

Govt to Open Farming Blocks in all Provinces
Posted on July 13th, 2008

Government has announced that out-grower farming schemes in farming blocks would be opened in all the nine provinces in the country in order to boost agriculture activities and enhance food security. Agriculture and Co-operatives Deputy Minister Daniel Kalenga said government has since embarked on an exercise to put up infrastructure in the farming blocks such as good roads, electricity, water for irrigation which small scale, medium and large scale farmers can utilize to enhance crop production.

Mr. Kalenga said the agricultural sector which will further be promoted through crop diversification in the farming blocks has the ability to contribute to poverty reduction in the country.

The Deputy Minister announced this in Kanakatapa area in Chongwe district yesterday when he officiated at the 32nd Lusaka Provincial and Agricultural Show whose theme is Growth and Diversity through Credit and Finance.

He reiterated government’s committed to supplying subsidized agro inputs to ensuring that vulnerable but viable farmers are supported as they are key players in promoting food security at household, community and national levels.

Mr. Kalenga also disclosed that government has commenced a country-wide construction and rehabilitation of fish ponds.

He added government in collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has approved a K664 million for the transformation of Kaunga Rural Development Project based in Luangwa district into a Farmer Training Centre .

And speaking earlier, Lusaka Provincial and Agricultural Show Chairperson, Bernadette Simbwalanga appealed to government to revive the Lima and Co-operative banks where farmers could access soft loans through credit facilities.

Mrs. Simbwalanga further commended government for engaging the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in the purchase of agriculture produce.

She has however urged farmers in the country to strive to add value to their crops if they are to compete favourably on the international market.

Meanwhile, chief Mumena of the Kaonde people in Solwezi district has implored government to promote mechanized methods of farming among small scale farmers in Zambian in order to increase food production.

Chief Mumena observed that the current farming methods among many small scale and peasant farmers were not effective enough to address food shortages in the country.

The Chief said Zambian farmers needed to increase food production so as to cushion the negative impact of the looming hike in food prices.

He told ZANIS in an interview that government should therefore partner with traditional leaders in finding means of averting the looming food shortages in the world.

The traditional leader has since urged other chiefs to partner with government in rolling out modern means of food production.

He further called upon his subjects to keep enough food for their domestic consumption.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, BERNADETTE SIMBWALANGA, CHIEF MUMENA, CO-OPERATIVE BANKS, DANIEL KALENGA, FARMING BLOCKS, INFRASTRUCTURE, IRRIGATION

posted by MrK @ 1:55 AM