. Simuusa
By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
THE Government has started implementing the US$115 million World Bank funded Irrigation Development and Support Project (IDSP) which will benefit 1,300 small-holders farmers.
The Government through the World Bank group would spend US$115 million to develop irrigation infrastructure in three identified sites in Central, Copperbelt and Southern provinces.
This was the largest project the World Bank had funded in the agriculture sector.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wylbur Simuusa said so far his ministry had started the construction of roads in the three sites.
“We have started putting up infrastructure in Chibombo, Mufulira and Siavonga. We first want to develop the road infrastructure and construct the housing units for the community before we can begin developing the irrigation infrastructure. We are happy that we have now started implementing this project,” he said.
The project involved the provision of bulk water infrastructure through construction of dams, establishment of canals and irrigation schemes.
The areas to benefit from the irrigation project were Musakashi area of Mufulira on the Copperbelt, Mwomboshi in Chibombo in Central Province and Lusitu in Siavonga in Southern Province.
Mr Simuusa said Government committed to ensuring that the displaced community was provided alternative land to settle as quickly as possible.
The Government would contribute US$75 million towards the project meant to support the resettlement plan.
The Government planned to increase crop production and irrigated land by at least 50 per cent to effectively implement the IDSP.
Under the IDSP the Government would support irrigation activities for 1,300 small-holder farmers in Southern, Central and Copperbelt provinces.
The pilot project was being undertaken with the support of the World Bank and a total of 5,000 hectares would be irrigated under the IDSP.
The second component involved public infrastructure, whose objective would be to provide bulk water supply and associated infrastructure required to establish medium-to-large size smallholder irrigation schemes under agreed partnership agreements.
