• Vice -President Inonge Wina (centre) flanked by Village of Hope Zambia Project Director Moses Mwiya (left) and Head of Health Department Dr Nilene Van Velden touring the orphanage in Mongu during a visit.

By SAM PHIRI –
VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina says the agriculture sector cannot be competitive if value addition to farm produce is not done.
Ms Wina said government was passionate about the diversification of the economy through  promoting investments in the lead sectors such as agriculture.
She said it was  government’s determination to support local small businesses in order to alleviate poverty.
The vice President was speaking in Mongu yesterday when she officially commissioned HMM milling plant with total investment of 20 Million Kwacha.
“In this regard, the government has created a number of empowerment project funds in the 2017 budget to empower entrepreneurs. I hope such funds will be accessible to as many local entrepreneurs as possible,” she said.

Ms Wina said government would also embark on increased grain production through strengthened cooperatives, constructing grain storage facilities and improve feeder roads leading to production areas.
“We believe this will also enhance investment in the milling industry country-wide. Government will also continue implementing food security pack programme in all 10 provinces in 2017 in order to alleviate hunger and poverty,” she said.
She said the establishment of this milling plant in the district was a huge development that would result into job creation for the local people and value addition to the food production process.
The Vice-President said the newly opened plant, besides the already existing millers, would increase mealie meal supplies which would, in the short and long run, reduce retail and wholesale prices.