President Edgar Lungu has said that there is no reason why Zambia should continue importing certain agricultural products when they can be grown locally. President Lungu said that this will not be allowed to continue under his watch, adding that Zambia has what it takes to grow some of the crops that are being imported.
The Head of State said that citizens should have the right attitude and start growing most crops locally just like the way they have started with fish farming, and that government will continue putting up infrastructure such as dams in order to support the farmers who are involved in the growing of vegetables.
The President said that the dams will be constructed countrywide as a way of reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture and that, currently, the government is putting up huge dams in Central and Copperbelt provinces.
President Lungu said this when he inspected works at Momboshi Dam in Chisamba District of Central Province, where a dam is being constructed at the cost of 50 million dollars.
President Lungu said he will engage the Zambia National Service (ZNS) so that they work on roads leading to the dam, adding that it is encouraging that even those who used to mock the government that they cannot eat the roads are now demanding new roads in their areas.
“Farmers need access to roads for them to take their produce to the market and it is encouraging that even those who used to mock government that they cannot eat roads are now demanding for new roads in their areas,” he said.
The Head of state also promised to donate two tractors to women and youth groups in Chisamba who are the beneficiaries of the dam project.
And Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo said the government is putting up irrigation infrastructure to enhance economic activities to the beneficiaries through enhanced productivity. The Minister said the Momboshi dam will be completed in June this year.
And Project manager Zhou Gu Wa said works on the project are of a high standard and will be completed on schedule.
Adam Gordan Strong who spoke on behalf of other Commercial farmers said the dam will promote high productivity among small and commercial farmers.
He said as a result of the dam, farmers in the area will start growing more tomatoes and other vegetables for both local consumption and export.
And, Zambia National Farmers Union President Jervis Zimba urged Entrepreneurs to invest in agro-processing. He also said people are complaining about the shortage of onion when there is plenty of it in the eastern province.
But Bwana Lungu what about the Africa Continental Free Trade Area which you just ratified on Oct 26th,2020 ? There’s crops under that treaty.
LACK OF VISION ON THIS ONE
ANOTHER 50 MILLION $$$ ADDED TO THE 33 MILLION
WILL IT EVER STOP
WHO IS THE CONTRACTOR ?? zns ???????????
It takes organized agriculture selling its produce in organised markets to ensure steady supply of agricultural produce in the right quantities and the right quality. This means farmers hv to keep records of wht they produce, intend to produce and wht they market. Further consumption also has to be recorded so that u know the quantities required. This calls for organized markets and farmers and not informal sector operators and markets as is the case now. The famous John market in Chibombo is an informal market because no-one knows the quantities it handles per annum. Chibombo Council needs to move in and make it a formal market with modern facilities. All the envidence suggests that it will not stop growing as a small unplanned residential area is emerging nearby. If only local govt…
..in Zambia was working. But hw can it work whn central govt itself doesn’t?
PLANING IN EVERY TOWN IS LACKING AND THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAN BE CORRECTED WITHOUT SOME SERIOUS REPRUCISSIONS
“Lazy Lungu said this when he inspected works at Momboshi Dam in Chisamba …where a dam is being constructed at the cost of $50 m
he will engage the Zambia National Service (ZNS) so that they work on roads leading to the dam, adding that it is encouraging that even those who used to mock the government that they cannot eat the roads are now demanding new roads in their areas.”
So who has he awarded this contract of $50m to construct dams? Going by the name of the Project manager Zhou Gu Wa one can conclude that this is either awarded to his corrupt Chinks or its a loan. If he truly had a vision he would have engaged ZNS on this contract and it would have cost quarter of that figure. Where are you getting $50 m when you defaulted on $42 m EUROBOND repayment?
So who has he awarded this contract of $50m to construct dams? Going by the name of the Project manager Zhou Gu Wa one can conclude that this is either awarded to his corrupt Chinks or its a loan. If he truly had a vision he would have engaged ZNS on this contract and it would have cost quarter of that figure. Where are you getting $50 m when you defaulted on $42 m EUROBOND repayment?
So who has he awarded this contract of $50m to construct dams? Going by the name of the Project manager Zhou Gu Wa one can conclude that this is either awarded to his corrupt Chi nks or its a loan. If he truly had a vision he would have engaged ZNS on this contract and it would have cost quarter of that figure. Where are you getting $50 m when you defaulted on $42 m EUROBOND repayment?
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Clueless man indeed…if you were serious this contract would have been done by ZNS but you are corrupt and love loans you awarded the Chinese, the Project managers name gives it away without mentioning the company. Magufuli had a moto called “Prosperity without debt” something this inept sausage can not understand even when he is swimming in debt..
My comment is awaiting moderation again
Mr Lungu said ‘I will engage the ZNS to ensure they work on the road leading to the dam’. Really Zambians, a head of state making statements that display lack of planning prior to the dam construction or these are just ‘come up’ thoughts on the existence of the dam. No plan for the dam, no vision.
The catch on the women groups “If you don’t vote for Lungu you wont get the tractors!” Now he has plans for future which he is not certain of whether he’ll be still in the enabling seat! Maybe he knows “apo afyantilile!”
Muna Dekhane – He has already engaged his Chinese friends given that the Project Manager is Zhou Gu Wa. ZNS has civil engineers experienced in Dam construction and he is there making shameless vague statements without thought like a drunk man.
My hardworking president I totally agree with you. As a patriotic party we strongly believe in promoting local businesses. Our people come first and not the interests of those who are not zambian e.g. upnd diasporans. To eligible voters I want you to remember that it is HH who sold the mines for peanuts to his gay whlte friends. Don’t trust that sellout.
Lusaka times thank you for implementing cyber bill and moderating a few a55holes here
Locally produced products are more expensive then imported
Ones.cost of growing in zambia
Is more expensive. Same applies
In industries.
HH ALWAYS PROPPHET OF DOOM … ZAMBIANS CANNOT EAT ROADS” AND “HOSPITALS DONT HAVE DRUGS” TO “FLYOVER BRIDGES…” WILL NOT LAST.
GO BACK TO SLEEP U PUPPET
WHY NO VACCINES HEY SPENDING MILLIONS FOR ELECTIONS YET PEOPLES LIVES DONT MATTER
WAITING FOR FREE HAND OUTS AGAIN
AND THIS IS A CARING GOVERNMENT
I SUGGEST YOU TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN
NOT LIKE SOME MP IN 2016 HIDING IN THE BUSHS THINKING MUTTI WOULD MAKE HIM INVISIBLE kikikiki
“This is purely to protect citizens from abuse by people who feel they can do or say whatever they want using the veil of cyberspace. This law is aimed at protecting all Zambians, including those who are against it,” President Lungu said.”-LT
Just yesterday the president sign in the law. but turns around and giving people false narratives. It’s not OK
PF time out your giving people false hope’s. “As a leader, your opinion matters. But sometimes, it can matter too much. You can unintentionally sway team members by stating your opinion prematurely. Or, you can accidentally quell perspectives that are critical for you to hear.”
Please international Community stay away for now.
PF time out.
and i quote “President Edgar Lungu has said that there is no reason why Zambia should continue importing certain agricultural products when they can be grown locally”, but the President has just given Chinese to construct a dam at a cost of 50 million dollars and yet we have engineers in Zambia.
So we can spend 50miles dolla to our collegues in china in the name of helping local farmers.
Wow….
Mwomboshi Dam: Ushering in a new era of farming in Zambia
INA-MARLENE RUTHENBERG
World Bank Blogs
APRIL 07, 2016
The President of Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, cut an elaborate ribbon donned in Zambian colors of red, black, green and orange to lay a foundation stone to mark the construction of the Mwomboshi Dam. The dam construction is funded by the World Bank under the Irrigation Development and Support Project (ISDP) with the amount of $37 million.
Mwomboshi Dam in Chisamba District completed 9 months ahead of schedule
November 10, 2018
Lusaka Times
THE Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC) has completed the construction of Mwomboshi Dam in Chisamba District nine months ahead of schedule. President Edgar Lungu is this month expected to commission the country’s biggest irrigation dam which is aimed at boosting crop yield through irrigation.The project was initially scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2019 but the Chinese firm has beaten the deadline. Director of agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture Peter Lungu said the 1.6-kilometre long structure marks an important milestone in the promotion of integrated agriculture in Chisamba and Central Province as a whole. The US $28.3 million World Bank…
The US $28.3 million World Bank funded project has the capacity to hold up 65 million cubic liters, making it Zambia’s largest irrigation dam.Central Provincial Permanent Secretary Chanda Kabwe inspected the project Wednesday ahead of the commissioning by the Head of State. Mr Lungu said the project has come with other benefits for the people in area such as roads and electricity.
OK, is that when you are realising that Mr lungu ,
You moron…..
The cost of this project keeps changing and is fully funded by WB it even includes construction of roads….but this Oaf Edgar is busy talking about ZNS when this project was already completed years ago and contractor left the sight. He is not even ashamed that WB spent $30 million on this project for irrigation when he spent the same amount on pointless national airline that will never take off.
#9 Muna Dekhane
March 27, 2021 At 10:33 am
“Mr Lungu said ‘I will engage the ZNS to ensure they work on the road leading to the dam’. Really Zambians, a head of state making statements that display lack of planning prior to the dam construction or these are just ‘come up’ thoughts on the existence of the dam. No plan for the dam, no vision…”
The moron is clueless, all he knows is to borrow money he cant pay back……..
I completely agree with President Lungu. With the massive growth in agriculture sector and bumper harvest expected this year, all our requirements would be fulfilled domestically. We need not import anything.
With never before assistance to agriculture sector, farmers should grow everything we need. We have highly fertile land and expertise to grow anything we wish. Instead of importing, we can export many agricultural products. We have started with maize and mealie meal.
This is the right time to step into agriculture sector. The government is ready to provide all assistance to farmers so that they can cultivate whatever they want. The transformation in fish farming has set an example of how concentrated efforts can change the lives of millions. If we start growing locally, it will not only save the precious foreign exchange.
Continue yapping. What you say has no impact. You are just a little insignificant upnd diasporan who cannot even vote. No one cares about your thoughts or opinions you motherfakaz
That is the way to promote local businesses and economy. If we start producing everything we need, it will rapidly revive the economy and market. President Lungu is tirelessly working for the country and the opposition baboons are busy mindlessly criticising everything he does without realising that they are damaging the country.
What’s wrong in it? The roads would be anyway built when the work on dam begins. How do you think the machinery would be transported to the site otherwise? Stop opposing just for the sake of it. Apply your brain.
Who told you this? Can you prove it? Don’t spread the lies here.
The roads, flyover bridges will create new job and business opportunities for the people. That way they will be able to earn more and save more. You won’t understand this.
Agriculture sector has lot of opportunities, especially after the diversification. The sector has high potential to create jobs and businesses. If tapped properly, the sector can feed Zambia as well as neighbouring countries.
Growing vegetables can also be a good option. With growing demands from local market vegetable growers can look forward to earning handsomely in days to come. The government is planning to create infrastructure for transportation of agricultural products to help the farmers.
The improved road network will be the major advantage for farmers who can reach the markets faster and sell their goods before they perish.
Mr Blogger from India no matter how many times you change your name ..everyone knows its you having a debate with yourself.
ZAMBIA is on life support because of this clueless leader who wants to rule at all costs.
I wish my President would be more focused and make pronouncements like …. by such-such a year, our country will stop importing this-and-that agricultural item due to such-and-such program we have designed.
Mwomboshi Dam ?? KIKIKI
GO TAKE A LOOK A LOOK A TELL ME THIS IS A SUCCESS STORY
PIPO BLOG BLIND WITHOUT CHECKING THE FACTS
PRAISING WHERE PRAISE IS NOT DUE
SWITCH OFF LIFE SUPPORT AND LET START AGAIN ………..
Mr Blogger from India is a PF carder paid to post dull messages above, pure carder from Chawama
Zambia should not have you as president but yet here we are….