Mongu District Commissioner Morgan Akabeswa has implored fishermen in Western Province to stop engaging themselves in illegal fishing during the fish ban.

Mr Akabeswa says the fish ban period imposed on natural water bodies annually by the government is vital for sustainable fish breeding adding that anyone who would be found fishing during this period should be punished.

The media reports that the District Commissioner was speaking during the world fisheries day held at Mulamba Harbor in Mongu District.

Mr Akabeswa noted that world fisheries day strengthens understanding among fish mongers the fundamentals surrounding the conserving of fish population in the natural water bodies.

He has bemoaned the increased indiscriminate use of illegal fish gears in recent years such as mono filaments and safa safa and mosquito nets which have seen reduced fish population in the Zambezi river.

Mr Akabeswa disclosed that the government remained committed to improving fish industries seen with increased fish production from 178,000 metric tons of fish in 2023 to 197,000 metric tons of fish in 2024.

He said Zambia has made significant strides in improving fish production and has become one of the largest fish exporters in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The District Commissioner has highlighted some of the fish projects being implemented in Western Province such as aquaculture and the introduction of cage fish farming saying so far 26 fish cages have already been set up on the Zambezi river in Senanga District.

He noted that the fish cage has some modern hatchery facilities with the capacity of producing about one million fingerings.

Earlier, Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Induna Mayunyi said the traditional leaders are key in driving the fish conservation agenda forward as they are custodians of the land.

The Induna has observed that some fishers in Western Province have indulged themselves in catching fish using poisons such as doom that has contributed to the disturbance of the fish ecological system and pollution of water in the Zambezi river.

Induna Mayunyi has since advised fishermen to desist from engaging themselves in such illicit conducts as that actions can lead to the depopulation of fish in the Zambezi river.

Meanwhile, Mulamba Harbor Chairperson Mubuyaeta Wamundila challenged the fishing community at Mulamba Harbor to take advantage of the mosquito nets being provided to them by the Ministry of Health in order to reduce malaria cases in the area.

“It is saddening to note that some people have continued abusing the mosquito nets they are receiving from the ministry of health, instead of using them for preventing malaria they are busy using them to catch fish”, he said.

The World Fisheries Day has been celebrated under the theme: The fisheries we want and hundreds of people including fishermen and government officials attended the event.

 Kalingalinga Ward Councilor, Mukubesa Nyoni, says immediate actions will be taken to address the poor drainage system in Kalingalinga area in Munali Constituency.

Mr Mukubesa, however, emphasised that infrastructure development has been underway, citing two successful road upgrades financed under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in 2023.

“The project marked the beginning of a broader plan aimed at improving the living conditions in the community,” he said.

Mr Mukubesa clarified that the 2023 road works were strictly carried out in line with CDF guidelines, which permit the upgrading of gravel roads but do not provide for the repair of already damaged ones.

He indicated that despite the developments, residents have continued to face severe challenges related to poor drainage, especially during the rainy season.

Alice Phiri, a Kalingalinga resident, disclosed that the area often experiences significant flooding, which is frequently worsened by drainage systems clogged with solid waste.

“Although roads were improved, the drainage system requires further attention,” she said.

 She emphasised that addressing these issues is critical to preventing flooding and ensuring the long term effectiveness of the recent road improvements.

Another resident, Mary Mpundu, acknowledged the efforts made by the local authority so far in an interview with ZANIS.

“We appreciate the local authority for improving the road network in this area,” Ms Mpundu said.

Government says peace plays a vital role in attracting tourists in the country.

Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga says people travel to destinations where there is peace and stability.

Mr Muhanga observes that the tourism sector in Zambia has continued to record significant progress since and beyond the country’s liberation and independence because of peace.

The PS said this today when he featured on The media  television programme dubbled “My Government ” .

Mr Muhanga  said Zambia’s tourism performance progressed in 2025 with international arrivals, investment guide, tourism agenda as well as innovative data tracking tools positioning the country as a competitive and evolving destination. such as Liuwa Plains National Park, Source of the Zambezi, and Kasaba Bay among others.

“Our master plan coupled with other legislations have shown us that this performance is a clear indicator of the positive momentum generated through international marketing campaigns, deliberate government interventions such as visa waivers, removed duty of imported tourism tools, improved and investment tourism infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Muhanga cited domestic visits to museums, heritage sites and national parks, traditional ceremonies and holiday activities across tourism-rich areas like Livingstone, Siavonga, Northern and Western circuits as some of the drivers that has led to boost the tourism sector.

He further disclosed that his Ministry is expected to mount a heightened campaign for its domestic tourism campaign dubbed, ‘Take A Holiday Yamu Loko’, which aims to facilitate holiday packages for domestic tourists, encourage companies to sponsor employee holiday incentives as part of corporate wellness initiatives.

Mr Muhanga said the government remains committed to enhancing both domestic and international tourism, to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP, fostering job creation, economic diversification, and cultural preservation.

While acknowledging that Zambia has abundant tourism sites, Mr Muhnaga said most of the areas do not have a conducive environment to attract tourists.

“Several potential tourism areas in Zambia suffer from poor accessibility, poverty, and environmental degradation. But we are pushing for a diversified, nature-based economic activity and private sector investment,’’ he said.

Mr Muhanga said the government is working closely with other stakeholders such as UNWTO and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and thanked the Zambian people for their continued support in making Zambia a destination of choice.

President Hakainde Hichilema has encouraged young people to take up farming at an early stage.

President Hichilema counseled young people not to see agriculture as a venture for backward people.

The Head of State explains that by venturing in agriculture young people can employ themselves and earn a decent living.

The media reports that President Hichilema said this during a Special Convocation, where he was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Agribusiness by Mulungushi University.

President Hichilema said young people will appreciate it once they take up farming for a livelihood, as it is beneficial.

“I want to say this message to young people.  Do not see agriculture as backwards, when you learn how to employ yourself, you will appreciate it, you will even want your age to be pulled back,” he said.

President Hichilema recounted that he started farming as a young boy which helped to shape him into what he is today.

The Head of State advised young people against taking up farming when they retire.

He pointed out that retirement should be used to consolidate gains attained over the years.

“We started farming as boys. And along the way, we improve the things that we do. You can’t say when I retire, ” he said.

President Hichilema said many people regret having started farming late in life, after learning how lucrative agriculture is as a business venture.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has thanked Munlungshi University for awarding him with an honorary award in agribusiness.

President Hichilema said he received the Honorary Doctorate Degree in agribusiness with deep appreciation and gratitude to the University.

“I want to offer my gratitude and appreciation, I am deeply humbled, to receive this honorary doctorate,” he said.

President Hichilema has since dedicated the honorary doctorate degree conferred on him to the farming community.

He stressed that framers play a crucial role in feeding the nation hence his decision to dedicate the honorary degree to the farming community.

“I dedicate this Honorary Degree to Zambia’s hard working farmers, who feed our people,” he said.

President Hichilema stressed that agriculture should not be the last resort but a venture that should be given a priority.

“Agriculture is not the last thing we should think of,” he said.

The Head of State urged the public to refrain from telling young people that agriculture is for the less intelligent in society.

“Let us not tell our young people that agriculture is for the less intelligent. No,” he said.

President Hichilema added that agriculture is not for retired people but for the young and energetic, adding that young people should take it up at an early stage.

“Agricultures for the retired. No. When we’re young, that’s when we should have started farming, “he said.

He hinted that some people through agriculture have managed to educate their children and support their families respectively.

Speaking , earlier during a Special Convocation Ceremony, Munlungushi University Vice Chancellor Royson Mukwena said the University decided to confer  the honorary doctorate on President Hichilema due to his lifelong dedication to agribusiness, education and national development

Professor Mukwena said President Hichilema’s professional success, coupled with his strong advocates for education and human capital development, merits him as a deserving recipient of the Honorary Agribusiness Doctorate.

Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, says he will on November 25, 2025 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italian Ambassador to Zambia, Enrico De Agostini, aimed at boosting Zambian-Italian culinary collaboration.

The Minister disclosed this in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the 10^th Edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World held in Lusaka.

The media reports that Mr Sikumba said the MoU is expected to attract more Italian tourists to Zambia and Inspire reciprocal travel, as well as cementing the friendship between the two nations.

“We have a pivot to learn what the Italians are doing and how they are pushing tourism. I strongly believe we have a lot to learn from our colleagues from Italy and create more fusion, but more so on the bilateral side, because what creates a bond between two countries is purely the fusion of two cultures, thereby, creating the bond of friendship,” he explained.

He further stated that the Italian Ambassador has invited 10 students from Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) to train with a renowned Italian Chef currently in the country.

The Minister indicated that the exposure will give students hands-on experience in Italian food production.

And speaking at the same event, the Italian Ambassador to Zambia, Enrico De Agostini, highlighted the diplomatic value of the Italian Week.

He stressed that the Italian week and cuisine is a basis of diplomacy creating good relations between the two countries.

Mr Agostini stated that hosting the Italian cuisine also showcases the Italian culture to Zambian audiences and provides a platform to identify Zambian talent in the arts industry, forging an unbreakable bond with Zambia.

Chisamba District Commissioner Joel Mboyoma has warned beneficiaries of the Food Security Pack (FSP) against selling the 2025-2026 farming inputs.

Mr Mboyoma has emphasized that such actions undermine government efforts to fight hunger and poverty.

Speaking during the flag-off of the input distribution exercise at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) main depot in Chisamba, Mr Mboyoma said any beneficiary found selling inputs will face stern action.

“Those selling the inputs under this programme will be blacklisted. You should not be accomplices, report them,” he cautioned.

He described the distribution as timely and directed the District Community Development Officer to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their packages by the end of next week.

The District Commissioner also urged farmers to put the inputs to proper use to ensure household food security and meet government recovery requirements.

Meanwhile, District Community Development Officer Mwaka Mukimba revealed that Chisamba has a caseload of over 1,200 beneficiaries under rain-fed agriculture.

She said each beneficiary will receive a package comprising two 50kg bags of basal dressing fertiliser, two 50kg bags of top-dressing fertiliser, maize seed and a legume.

“These beneficiaries were processed through the FSPIMS and after final selection, they were issued ATCs indicating what each beneficiary is entitled to,” she explained.

And First-time beneficiaries Meja Tembo and Kwandu Sibanyama expressed gratitude, stating that the support will boost their agricultural productivity.