The Zambia Prison Service in Eastern Province is this year expected to harvest 20,000 by 50 kilogram bags of maize.
Commissioner of Prisons, Gibby Nawa, revealed this when he paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province Minister, Charles Shawa at his office in Chipata today.
Mr. Nawa said the high production of maize by the service was as a result of the good agricultural policies government has instituted.
“With the good will we are enjoying from government, we have been given trucks, tractors and inputs which came at the right time, hence the high production of maize this year,” Mr. Nawa said.
He said the prison service in the province has 400 hectares of farm land which he said was enough land to produce the 20,000 bags of maize.
“We are grateful that whatever we propose in our budget, the Ministry of Finance honours it and it just remains to us to put the funds to good use,” he said, adding that this has only been experienced in under current government.
Mr. Nawa said the service in the region was also contemplating establishing a ranch that would directly benefit the people of Eastern province.
And Eastern Province Minister, Charles Shawa, commended the Zambia Prisons Service for producing a very good yield in the region.
Mr. Shawa said the prisons’ commitment to use modern farming methods would supplement the food basket in deficit areas of the province.
“This is a very good achievement and I should say that people should not think that the prison service is there only to punish people who are convicted but it is also a place where various skills are taught and one of them is farming,” he said.
Mr. Shawa also urged the service to not only concentrate on maize but also fruits in order to contribute to various food productions.
He said enhanced food production would significantly help reduce prices of food stuffs in the country.
He urged the service to consider utilise wetlands in the province by putting up dams for fish farming to improve nutrition to people.
This is marvelous! It has always been very unwise for law breakers to enjoy free food, clothing etc from tax payers in a poor economy like ours. This always meant that the community is punished twice by law breakers! Let them pay back to the community they have wronged by at least feeding themselves and others like hospitals and orphanages etc. By making them work the land, it also prepares them for productive life after jail term. What is important is to make sure they leave prison with farming implements and a piece of land so that they can continue to produce. Agric is the right choice for the majority prisoners, it is the biggest employer and land is everywhere. chayani chisuka anyamata!
Take note that average yield for commercial farms is 4 tonnes/ hectare.Simple calculation reveals that the yield should actually be 32000(1,600t) and not 20,000 (1,000) which is an under estimation far from the norm.This leaves room for theft by the producers given the already pronounced figure.
#1, Put yourself in the prisoner’s shoes…I wonder if you would still say the same words with such enthusiasm.
little does #1 know that not all prisoners have committed crimes,wait until you get your ass in there.
We appreciate the efforts done by prisoners and the authorities to put agricuture as the most important tool to make our fellow beings reform,but despite hard labour and bumper harvest our inmates still starving,they are give un balanced diet,they feed on rooten while prison officers espcially senior officers(political appointees) benetif from the sales of the hardly earn harvest!
The other issue prisoners or inmate need are healthy facilities proper medicine! our Prisons in Zambia are death camps! Not rehabiitation or reformatory institutes.Officers looking aftr inmates shold be taken good care of,for they are prone 2 contract diseases!thy need engh money to enable them seek medical help!
#1 a prison is a home for every person,who has committed crimes or not.actually let us respect those in prison.one day it might be you