WE the small-scale farmers of Mitenge A,B,C situated along the Mufulira Road in the Mwekera National Forest Reserves are appealing to President Michael Sata to intervene in our plight as we have been told to vacate the land which we are currently occupying to pave way for forestry activities to blossom.

Zaffico has been urging us to move out of the area as it is a designated forest area.

We have been urged instead to take possession of some land which was allocated to us elsewhere. But most of the farmers affected are adamant to move out simply because they have lived in this area for more than 25 years and have been conducting their agriculture activities contributing to the national food basket in a positive way.

We have been to various officers in an effort to seek a solution to our issue but to no avail. We feel that our problem is not receiving the adequate attention that we need and so we are urging the Head of State to come to our aid.

Our plea is that we be allowed to continue occupying the land in question instead of being displaced and be offered title deeds for the land as opposed to relocate us elsewhere as doing do would disturb our progressive farming activities.

We are therefore, appealing to the PF and the President to intervene in our plight as we believe that it is a listening Government.

We await your response .

Concerned Mufulira Road small-scale farmers

Juliane Mwape, Sawila Smith and Regina Katupa

NDOLA