. Lungu

By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
FIRST Lady Esther Lungu has said it is imperative for women to take advantage of the yearning goat marketing in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking during the tour of Rivendale Farm in Luanshya yesterday, Ms Lungu said that with the help of the Ministry of Livestock, Zambia could be able to sell capital goats to Saudi Arabia.
The First Lady said that capital goats would be purchased from women within their confines so as not to disturb their day-to-day running of their homes.
Ms Lungu said the capital goats would then be passed on to other women’s groups as this would help protect women from gender-based violence (GBV) cases in homes as men would see the benefit of women engaging in business.
She praised Rivendale Farm proprietor John Enwright for empowering the locals through the use of cheap and affordable models of farming.
Ms Lungu said the less privileged could benefit from various projects as they used cheap but durable stuff, which most people could afford.
“We came to tap into this concept and we want to roll it out to our people out there, especially in the rural areas where my main concern and focus is. We are here to tap into your models, concept and talent starting from the lower levels with the use of cheap material and the identification of the poor man,” Ms Lungu said.
She said Mr Enwright’s success could be attributed to engaging people from the grassroots.
Ms Lungu said her area of interest were women, children and those with physical challenges as she felt that disabled people could also contribute to their families and the nation.
She said it was her desire to see the girl-child attain the highest level of education and not always be victims of molestation, defilement, child marriage and teenage pregnancies without realising their importance.
Mr Enwright said that honey produced at the farm was marketable in countries such as the United Kingdom and South Africa.
He further said he had invented a new type of bee hive which was receiving orders around the world.
Mr Enwright said his business was using outgrower schemes for cassava farmers aimed at benefiting them.
“We have created a micro-franchise programme which takes into account culture. I think it is important to bring people to the creation of wealth than using the micro-finance idea,” he said.