Zambia’s future lies in agriculture-President Lungu

Chief Chimuka and Chief Liteta (c) give gifts to President Lungu at the dam launch

DOREEN NAWA, Chisamba
PRESIDENT Lungu says Zambia’s future lies in agriculture and his administration is determined to pursue an agriculture-led economy through the rolling out of irrigation schemes and other innovations country-wide.
Speaking during the launch of the construction of the US$28 million Mwomboshi Irrigation Dam in Chisamba yesterday, President Lungu reiterated his commitment to diversifying the agriculture sector.
“The construction of this dam gives a practical expression to my Government’s resolve to making agriculture at the centre of our economy. Irrigation farming is an act of diversifying the sector away from rain-fed agriculture,” President Lungu said.
He said Government will upscale such in other provinces like Eastern and Western.
Currently, the construction of dams is under way in Lusitu, Chirundu and Musakashi in Mufulira districts.
“We aim to have over 75,000 hectares by 2030. To achieve this, Government will ensure adequate funds for irrigation development annually. Currently, K56.7 million has been set aside for irrigation in the 2016 national budget,” he said.
The President said once completed, Mwomboshi Dam will provide an opportunity for increased food production and poverty reduction.
And the President has called on the people of Mwomboshi to ensure conservation of forest cover around the dam and other rivers to protect the environment and ecosystems.
“Thank you to our hard-working farmers here. Let’s rise to the challenge of boosting agricultural production and venture into diversified agriculture. The construction period of the dam is 30 months but I would be glad if it can be done in 18 months,” he said.
President Lungu thanked other co-operating partners for the support, adding that he wants agriculture to be the main player in the country’s economy.
He said the dam is an answer to the changing weather Zambia is facing, which has affected some southern parts of the country.
And President Lungu directed ministers of Agriculture Given Lubinda, and Fisheries and Livestock Greyford Monde to devise short-term strategies aimed at increasing food production to feed not only Zambia but the region.
“We will encourage both commercial and small-scale farmers to diversify. We have the potential to produce enough food. To this effect, I wish to state that Government will only import maize as the last resort. It is encouraging to see the country receiving good rains in February, it’s all God’s doing. All we can do is to do our best and leave the rest to God,” he said.
He said the Patriotic Front administration will put in place a comprehensive support irrigation scheme in Mwomboshi to include infrastructure like roads to facilitate market access, electricity, primary and secondary schools.
He said sustained investment in commercial agriculture for small-scale farmers is one of the surest ways to eradicate poverty.
The irrigation scheme is the largest in the country and will cater for over 10,000 farmers in Central, Southern and Copperbelt provinces.
And Mr Lubinda said: “The dam will open up 6,000 hectares for irrigation. We are also opening two more schemes for irrigation in the country. Lusitu in Chirundu and Musakashi in  Mufulira. Mwomboshi will be the largest dam in Zambia’s history used for irrigation.
He said this year alone, over 8,000 hectares of land will be opened up for agriculture.
And 230 houses of people, who were displaced by the construction of the dam, are nearing complication.
Mr Lubinda said all people in the catchment area will be given land of one hectare within the irrigation scheme and another outside.
He also said that the contractors, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company Limited of China, will employ local people and the management of the scheme will be in the hands of farmers.
He said the project will encourage crop diversification.
“Electricity and roads are being brought to this area to improve lives. We want to make farming a business,” he said
And Central Province minister Davis Chisopa said the province is happy to host President Lungu.
The dam’s capacity will be 65 million cubic litres of water to irrigate 6,000 farmers.
Mr Chisopa said 10 commercial farmers have expressed interest in using water.
“It will create employment too. We salute you Mr President for this project and many others. It is our prayer to God that he grants you good health for continuity of such development projects,” he said.
And World Bank country manager Ina Ruthenberg said the project is significant because it will be central and will cater for Central, Southern and Copperbelt provinces. PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 2, 2016 EDITION