Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary in charge of Technical Services, Beatrice Chilomo, says the government is committed to fostering public private partnerships that drive food security, alleviate poverty and build community resilience from the grassroots to national level.
Ms Chilomo says targeted agricultural training and cooperation with stakeholders can break the vicious cycle of dependency among the people in the country.
The PS was speaking when she handed over 30x50kg bags of maize, and assorted food staffs donated by some small scale farmers to 30 vulnerable households in Lusaka’s George Compound.
“Through this collaboration with my ministry among the 20,000 willing farmers, substantial quantities of assorted food commodities have been mobilised to uplift the standards of the 30 most vulnerable among us here in George compound,” she said.
Ms Chilomo called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to fight poverty in communities.
Representing Lusaka District Commissioner, Rosa Kayuni, District Administrative Officer, O’Neill Chiiya thanked the government for including the district among the beneficiaries of the much needed social services.
Ms Kayuni appealed for increased Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS) allocation in the district to help the Department of Social Welfare respond to emergency requests in the district.
“We are overwhelmed with emergencies, I therefore appeal for an increase in the PWAS allocation”, she said.
AgriTrain Initiative Zambia Limited Managing Director, Schem Ackim Kazhimaika, said his organisation’s collaboration with governments and other partners reflects shared commitment to food security, job creation and poverty reduction.
Mr Kazhimaika added that the donations by farmers to the community proves that knowledge can be turned into action and then into impact.
He explained that the small scale farmers were equipped with knowledge in vegetable production, conservation farming, and value addition among others.
“A trained farmer is an equipped farmer, when we teach vegetable production, conservation farming, and value addition, we are not only teaching techniques but also unlocking potential in our famers”, he said.
A beneficiary, Nelly Mukopamali, appealed to the government and AgriTrain Initiative Zambia Limited to include her and other beneficiaries in future training programmes.
