Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Govt to promote rubber plantations in Luapula

Govt to promote rubber plantations in Luapula
November 24, 2008

The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources has embarked on a programme to promote rubber plantations in Luapula province.

The Ministry will soon mount an awareness campaign to sensitize people on the economic value of rubber production. Measures are also being worked out to encourage establishment of out-grower schemes with the participation of the private sector.

Two rubber plantations have so far been established in Kawambwa and Nchelenge districts under the investment promotion rubber project, targeting to plant 300 hectares of rubber per year. More than K500 million has so far been committed to the project which aims at ensuring that, apart from over coming poverty, Zambia becomes self-sufficient in rubber and rubber product production.

The project which is being spearheaded by the Forestry Department has cheered Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala. Ms Namugala is confident that, given the value of rubber, Zambia’s economy will be bolstered if the industry is effectively promoted.

Ms Namugala says her Ministry will ensure that mass awareness on the value of venturing into rubber production, was raised and the necessary enabling environment created to attract investors into the industry.

Speaking when she addressed Directors in her Ministry, Ms Namugala also urged the Forestry department to encourage tree planting rather than degazetting of forests for human settlement.

The Minister noted that de-gazetting of forests would result in loss of biodiversity which would affect the environment negatively. She said the planned re-introduction of Forest Guards would go a long way in ensuring the protection of forests in the country.

The Minister said there was also need to aggressively promote bee-keeping among communities, noting honey production also had great potential to contribute to economic empowerment of people and help alleviate poverty.

Meanwhile, Ms Namugla has lamented the low annual budgetary allocation of K51 billion to her Ministry. The Minister noted the sum of money given to her Ministry was not enough.

She said the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources was of great economic significance to the country and thus required more resources to fulfill its obligation of contributing to the nation’s revenue base. She said the Ministry had the potential to create wealth and improve the livelihood of people in the country.

Ms Namugala who was flanked by Deputy Minister for Tourism Moses Mwangala and Permanent Secretary Mukuka Zimba, commended management for cultivating a good working relationship with cooperating partners. The Minister stressed the need for team work to ensure that the Ministry forged ahead in contributing to the economic development of the country.

ENDS/BN/AM/ZANIS

Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, RUBBER

posted by MrK @ 2:39 PM