Govt launches mechanised farming campaign
By Ruth Chayinda
Government has launched a small holder farmers campaign dubbed mechanise “360 Ulimi Okwana” with the aim of mechanising Five hundred thousand hectares of small-holder farmers’ land by 2027.
And President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says the campaign which will be run by the Ministry of Agriculture seeks to increase food and nutrition security.
President HICHILEMA says the initiative will also be accompanied by establishment of up to six regional mechanisation Centres of Excellence in partnership with the private sector and cooperating partners.
He says one of the centres will be established this year while the other three will be done by 2025.
President HICHILEMA says government will also expand the newly introduced Sustainable Agriculture Facility Credit Window to support access to finances for agriculture mechanisation equipment, livestock and fisheries.
President HICHILEMA said this in a speech read on his behalf by Vice President MUTALE NALUMANGO during the launch of the national agricultural mechanisation strategy in Lusaka.
And, Agriculture Minister REUBEN MTOLO disclosed that the ministry will construct a centre of excellence in each province which will store an assortment of equipment to showcase how they can be used.
He further said that the Ministry will establish six centres in each district, where equipment will be hired out to farmers.
And European Union Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, KAROLINA STASIAK advised Government to come up with innovative policy reforms in the agriculture sector so that it can contribute to increasing productivity.
In a speech read on her behalf by her representative MATTHIAS REUSING, Ms. STASIAK said the mechanisation of the sector will lower the cost of production and enhance food security.
And Food and Agriculture Organisation –FAO- Deputy Director General BETH BECHDOL said the launched national agriculture mechanisation strategy will enable the country to transform the sector and ensure food security and nutrition.
This was in a speech read by her representative SUIZ FILIPINI.
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