LUAPULA Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali has called for vigorous marketing of tourism sites located in the Northern Tourism Circuit consisting of Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and Eastern provinces.
Mr Chimbwali said this when he passed through the Northern Tourism Circuit Stand at this year’s 89th Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
Mr Chimbwali said the Circuit was a well thought idea for marketing the tourism sites in the four provinces because of the proximity of the provinces in the northern region of the country.
He said the tourist attraction sites in the Circuit should not be left to foreign tourists alone to visit but even local tourists should be encouraged to plan for visits to the sites and enjoy the endowments that nature has placed within their reach.
A retired teacher, Lweya Mulaka called on Government to seriously consider using the Constituency Development Funds to fund projects for value addition to what is produced in Luapula Province.
Mr Mulaka said the Chienge salt needed serious scientific attention through the National Scientific Council tests so that it could pass the tests and be properly packaged to be sold in reputable outlets for national consumption and the export market.
Mr Mulaka also said the Chienge, Chembe, Lunga and Kaputa rice was another rich resource that could benefit the people in the areas of production if graded and packaged professionally to meet the rules of conventional marketing.
Mr Mulaka said honey from Milenge and Nchelenge districts of Luapula Province should be subjected to scientific test processes and be graded to meet the standards for the conventional markets in Zambia and abroad.
He wondered why the abundant production of cassava in Luapula has not been given the required support for serious milling for various commercial uses and economic empowerment for the growers.
Mr Mulaka said commercialisation of cassava for the benefit of the cassava growers in the province could contribute to food security in the country.  – ZANIS