By MILDRED KATONGO –
GOVERNMENT will this year set aside 100,000 hectares of land in each province for the establishment of farm blocs.
Agriculture Deputy Minister Maxas Ng’onga said the move was aimed at increasing agricultural activities for both commercial and small-scale farmers.
Mr Ng’onga said Government was committed to ensuring that the process of economic diversification was expedited.
He said both commercial and small-scale farmers would be supported by Government to speed up the implementation of agricultural activities.
Mr Ng’onga said the move would also enable people to look at agriculture as the main driver of the economy.
“We have so far identified land in Lufwanyana, Kawambwa and Nansanga in Central Province, where we will embark on the construction of farm blocs. We want to ensure that each province has a farming bloc. This will help us in terms of boosting agricultural activities and to enhance food security in the country,” he said.
He said in an interview that Government would also establish three irrigation schemes to enable farmers continue with agricultural activities despite the change in weather patterns.
Mr N’gonga said the three irrigation schemes would be established in Chisamba, Siavonga and Mufulira.
Government was studying the weather pattern which had been changing from time to time in the process disturbing farming activities.
He said with the establishment of the irrigation schemes funded by the World Bank, farmers were assured of smooth farming engagements.
“Government will this year construct irrigation schemes in three areas. In Mufulira the irrigation scheme will be constructed at Musakashi, Lusitu area of Siavonga and the biggest will be at Momboshi in Chisamba. The objective is to help farmers continue farming despite the change in weather patterns,” he said.
He urged farmers to invest in irrigation and not to wait for Government to complete the projects.
“To those farmers that can manage to establish irrigation schemes, let them invest in them and not to wait for the Government. Construction of irrigation schemes will be done in phases,” he added.