The Office of the Vice President’s Resettlement Division has commenced harvesting maize from its 10-hectare demonstration field at Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme in Chongwe District, with over 700 by 50-kilogramme bags expected to be produced.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President for Resettlement Division, Mavis Nkomeshya says the entire harvest will be sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to contribute to the country’s strategic food reserves and enhance national food security.
Ms Nkomeshya said the demonstration field was established to showcase improved farming techniques and encourage resettled farmers as well as surrounding communities to adopt modern agricultural practices.
She disclosed that the Division plans to sink mechanised boreholes at the scheme to support irrigation and ensure year-round agricultural production.
“The irrigation system will benefit both the resettlement scheme and neighbouring farmers, in line with government’s efforts to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture,” she explained.
The Permanent Secretary urged farmers to embrace modern farming methods and maximise land utilisation in order to increase productivity and improve household incomes.
And She assured the farmers that government will continue providing training and other forms of support aimed at boosting agricultural output across the country.
Meanwhile, Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme Manager Nakaala Lwiindi said the harvest demonstrates government’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s food security agenda.
Mr Lwiindi encouraged civil servants and other citizens to venture into farming for both household consumption and commercial purposes.
And Cynthia Kanguye, a Kanakatapa resident, said the project has created employment opportunities for the local people as several community members were engaged during the planting and harvesting periods.
The Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme is among several resettlement schemes under the Resettlement Division established by the Government to improve livelihoods through agricultural production.
