Govt. gives Choma farmers K63, 571 grant for agriculture activities

Government has released over K63, 500 grant to farmers in Southern province for various agricultural activities in the region.

The K63, 571 was released under government’s livestock development and animal health project.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenga said the money will be shared among nine cooperative groups in Choma district.

Dr. Shamulenga has since appealed to the farmers to take the news to the other members of the community in order for more farmers to benefit from the grants.

He noted that Southern province is exemplary in agriculture practices and urged the farmers to diversify in their farming activities.

He further said government was serious with addressing gender equality even in the agriculture sector where he noted that a number of women have benefitted from government projects.

Dr. Shamulenga also urged the farmers to put the money to good use and asked them to report any misuse of the grant.

And chairman for Macha Royal Council Charles Chipako thanked government for the gesture on behalf of Chief Macha who was in Serenje for some duties.

Mr. Chipako said it was because of the farmers’ hard work that they received the grants to further help them expand on their agriculture practices.

He reiterated the need to put the money to good use so as to yield the anticipated results.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shamulenga said government was interested to ensure that there is food security in the country.

He said government will continue to engage in developmental projects that will help farmers produce more crops countrywide.

Dr. Shamulenga said this when he visited Nzenga irrigation scheme in Southern province.

He said the project was meant to supplement farmers’ efforts in the area for them to improve their living standards.

Dr. Shamulenga, who took time to listen to various challenges the farmers were facing, said he was in the province to monitor various government projects and to take note of the farmers’ needs for government to address them.

And Sinazongwe District Commissioner Dodo Sindaza said Southern province has benefitted greatly from government projects.

Mr. Sindaza said Sinazongwe has been receiving erratic rainfall hence the putting up of irrigation schemes in the area would save a big purpose to farmers.

He told the Permanent Secretary that Nzenga irrigation scheme was completed and ready for farmers to start planting.

Mr. Sindaza however requested government to fence off the area in order to avoid animals destroying the crops.