Government and AVIC International Zambia Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the proposed development of a new college for the Natural Resources Development College -NRDC.
ZANIS reports that the agreement was signed by Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya and AVIC International representatives in Lusaka.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Ms Siliya said government is committed to improving infrastructure to enable more students enrol in agricultural colleges.
Ms Siliya said the cost of the project and time frame will be determined after AVIC provides government with a proposed design.
The Minister said the college will be constructed on 1,600 hectares of land that government has acquired from Senior Chief Shakumbila of Shibuyunji district.
And AVIC representative from, Cui Ji said the company will work closely with government to ensure that the design is completed as soon as possible so that the project takes off.
Meanwhile, Government has called on civil servants and small scale farmers in Mwense District in Luapula province to be active players in national economy development by engaging in various agriculture activities .
Mwense District Commissioner Geoffrey Chipampata says the PF Government through the Public Service Financing has for this reason introduced affordable loans for agriculture implements such as tractors to enable civil servants and small scale farmers to participate in agriculture activities.
He said the country’s over dependence on copper is long gone adding full participation in agriculture by all citizens will contribute positively to the economic growth.
ZANIS reports that the District Commissioner said this during the official opening of Lukwesa Agriculture Block show held at FTJ Primary school.
Agriculture is a backbone of the economy hence the need for everyone to engage in agriculture production of any kind such as farming, gardening, livestock, aquaculture among others, he said.
Mr. Chipampata also implored small scale farmers and entrepreneurs to engage in profitable and sustainable activities that benefit their communities and families, in particular.
He said emphasis should be in taking agriculture as a business adding farmers should start growing high value crops such as Rice, Soya beans, Irish potatoes and vegetables among others if they are to realize much profit.
Mr. Chipampata also expressed happiness to note that the district is yet again earmarked for a bumper harvest.
He said though government has lifted a ban on export of maize, farmers should not to rush in selling their produce to the briefcase businessmen but wait for the maize marketing season and sale their produce at good price to the Food Reserve Agency.
The Lukwesa Agriculture Block show was held under the theme promoting a green economy.
Cheap talk by the economically broke PF.
Which Agric school can PF build when UNZA lecturers are on strike whilst the students are running amok?
This is the wasteful PF which squandered $2million for merely consultation whether Zambia should leave ICC. At UTH now, 980 people are dying every 3 weeks but the PF are mute. HIV infections have since sporadically increased in Western province but PF does nothing.
PF’s leadership is now stagnant in the country, they can’t move b’coz the treasury is empty.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
This is a working government.
I dont even know why some people would talking about 2021 as to whether EL will stand or not – why would Zambia want to change president when there is so muc development everyday?
Ignore HH and UPND, next opposition is Green party.
They also signed for a stadium in Month.
What has happened with all those “Ultra modern” things?
State-of-the-art Mushindo University is a white elephant.
This is good for the country. Agriculture is becoming a big thing in Zambia.
What MOU …how are you going to fund such project when its May and you have budget deficits? You mean local architects can not design a college…are you just looking for another Chinese loan.
You sign an MOU wthout knowing the outcomes , costs, financing, ownership proposed start amd finish dates.
You make the announcement thenthe public hear about the details later after everything is signed off.
Why do we have universitiez and graduates in zambia when everything is sourced thru china. Government wants to empower zambians, progress zambia yet everything is outsouced thru china except the labouring with us working under chinese direction for minimum wage. Money going back to china would be better if circulating in Zambia creating add on employment
If we cannot repay the finance will they take over the school and the1600 hectares of land.
You people dont understant. Gov’t has given land for the current NRDC for free to AVIC and in return AVIC will build some huts to host a college of Agric (NRDC) in Mumbwa. Its a ‘bata’ system
@Power, thanks for the information;and what is AVIC building on the NRDC land? these PF crooks should be held accountable for their corruption when a new govt forms; they accuse HH of selling mines when he was not in govt yet they are busy selling or giving away public companies or land
The college will be constructed in Shibuyuni not at NRDC!
This MOU does not look genuine and will bring problems to the govt. How can Avic design the college and at the same time be the contractor to build it? Can you not see that Avic will come up with an expensive design so that they can reap heavily. Aviv through this MOU has been given a blank cheque. Were there any tenders as per procurement procedures?
All that land to AVIC?? nd in da so called capital city??