Over 37,900 farmers are benefitting from the Food Security Pack (FSP) in Northern Province.
Northern Province Community Development Officer Mary Namwinga has disclosed that over 12,400 people are benefitting from the wetland programme while over 25,500 farmers are benefitting from the rain fed programme.
Ms Namwinga has told the media in Nsama District that the Food Security Pack programme has proved to be a viable social safety net and that it has improved the living standards of people.
“In Northern Province over 37, 900 farmers are benefitting from FSP, with more than 12,400 people benefitting from the wetland programme and over 25,500 farmers benefiting from the rain fed programme,” Ms Namwinga said.
And Nsama District Community Development Officer Costain Chizonde revealed that Nsama District has a caseload of 1,000 beneficiaries on wetland cropping while over 1,500 farmers are befitting from the rain fed programme component of Food Security Pack.
Mr Chizonde explained that the district status has improved as beneficiaries have ventured into small businesses to support their families and contribute to the country’s economy.
“We have seen a number of people who are performing very well, businesses have also come up from beneficiaries of social protection programmes,” he added.
Meanwhile, Albert Sunga, a beneficiary of inputs under the Food Security Pack in Nsumbu area in Nsama District explained that many people previously depended on fishing for survival.
Mr Sunga however, stated that following the introduction of the Food Security Pack programme in the area, people are now shifting to farming.
“The department of Community Development has been training us on alternative livelihood and also farming,” Mr Sunga explained.
He has since thanked the government for the initiative which he said has reduced household food insecurity and is benefitting households.
