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Government says it has set aside over two million kwacha for agriculture infrastructure development in Chibombo District.
Chibombo District Commissioner Felix Mang’wato says the funds are meant to construct and rehabilitate agriculture infrastructures under the 2014 approved capital projects for the district.
Mr Mang’wato told ZANIS in an interview today that K880, 000 of the amount will be spent on the construction and rehabilitation of dip tanks in the district.
He said K770, 000 has been allocated towards the construction of a livestock breeding Centre while K100, 000 will be used to put up a livestock Service Centre.
Mr Mang’wato further said K250, 000 has been apportioned towards the construction of an artificial insemination Centre while K100, 000 for building and rehabilitation of camp houses in all the four agriculture camps in the district.
The DC said the PF government is doing all these for the people in the district because it realizes that agriculture is a major economic activity in the area.
Mr Mang’wato said the gesture also signifies the government’s determination to improve the welfare of the people especially those in the rural areas of the district.
He said the rehabilitation of the dip tanks will help the district to contain tick borne diseases which he said have been a major problem in the area.
He also said the construction and rehabilitation of the camp houses will cushion accommodation deficit for the agriculture officers and that it will also motivate them to work even harder.
He said employment is also expected to be created for the local people during the construction and rehabilitation works.
Mr Mang’wato has since thanked government for the funds and described the gesture as another milestone that the PF has scored in fulfilling its campaign promises of uplifting the welfare of the people.
He said the office of the District Agricultural Coordinator is working in collaboration with the Provincial Agricultural Coordinator’s office and the Provincial Procurement Unit to ensure that the bill of quantity is prepared so that works can start.
It is government’s intention to make the agriculture sector as is one of the priority sectors in achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty in Zambia.
The Vision for the sector is “an efficient, competitive, sustainable and export-led agriculture sector that assures food security and increased income by 2030”.
According to its Sixth National Development Plan ( SNDP ) its government’s goal “to increase and diversify agriculture production and productivity so as to raise the share of its contribution to 20 percent of GDP”.
During the Plan period, the strategic focus under crop production sub-sector will be to develop irrigation and farm blocks, enhance research and extension services and promote utilization of improved seed varieties.
