Mungwi District Commissioner, Muma Musonda has reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the agriculture sector.
Mr Musonda says government has also continued to seek ways of transforming the sector to a vibrant driver of the economic growth that also creates job opportunities.
Speaking when he officiated at this year’s Mungwi District Agriculture show, Mr Musonda noted that the agriculture sector remains the backbone of the district’s economy.
The District Commissioner observed that many households in the area depend on farming and related activities for their income and food security hence agriculture being key in the district.
He however, noted that for the agriculture sector to fully contribute to the economic growth of the district there was need to go beyond production and focus on trade, investment and value chain development.
“I want to call upon the private sector and potential investors to come and invest in livestock, crop production and agro- processing, these will add to the economic development of the country,” Mr Musonda said.
He noted that efforts were being made to improve access to agricultural inputs, extension services, and financing infrastructure to empower farmers as well as attract investment in the sector.
The District Commissioner also urged farmers in the area to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture practices, citing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns that favor the need for a climate smart approach in the sector.
And Acting Mungwi District Agriculture Coordinator Kisha Mulenga applauded farmers for the good turnout at this year’s agricultural show.
Ms Mulenga appealed to stakeholders in the district to prepare adequately for the provincial show scheduled for this month.
A farmer from Mulilo Agricultural Camp, Davies Mulenga, has thanked government for the good policies that are aimed at promoting the sector.
Mr Mulenga cited the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), and the Food Security Pack programme under community Development and Social Services and some of the policies that have continued to move the agriculture forward.
Meanwhile, deserving Cooperators and agricultural camps were recognized and awarded in different categories with Chonya camp scooping the first prize and going away with K13 000
