• ZAMBIA Prisons Service Commissioner Percy Chato (left) with Botswana Prisons Service Commissioner Silas Motlalekgosi (centre) briefing the Press after a tour of Chondwe Prisons Farm water reservoir centre in Masaiti yesterday. Picture by MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI
By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
THE Zambia Prisons Service has said Government’s decision to buy agriculture equipment for the Prisons Service will help its farms expand and increase production.
Speaking during the tour of Chondwe Prisons Farm in Masaiti, Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato, accompanied by his Botswana counterpart Silas Motlalekgosi, said the efforts by Government required commitment on the part of his staff.
Mr Chato said the equipment would enable the institution to triple its production in wheat, soya beans and other crops.
Mr Motlalekgosi commended the Prisons Service for equipping prisoners in vegetable production which would help them acquire skills once they were released.
He said involving prisoners in vegetable production would enable them continue applying their skills which would deter them from going back to their old ways.
He further urged the officers not to feel like they were being punished in their work because they were also helping in the country’s food production.
The entourage visited the water reservoir centre, fish ponds and the irrigation centre pivot.
Chondwe Prison Farm has the capacity to accommodate of 75 prisoners and is situated on a 400 hectares piece of land. It is among prisons in the region with a large catchment farm area.
