PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has urged the church to take a leading role in food production, saying that since church members also eat, they must equally be part of farming initiatives.
Speaking when he addressed the Baptist Union yesterday in Mpongwe yesterday, President Hichilema reminded the clergy that agriculture remained the backbone of the nation’s survival and should not be left only to small scale and commercial farmers.
He explained that government expected churches to establish farms in different areas in order to contribute to the country’s broader food security agenda.
The Head of State stated that the church adding that such efforts would also sustain their communities.
“Agriculture is important, food production is important, everybody eats, including church members, therefore, we expect the Baptist Union, all the other churches, to also find time to grow food,” said the President.
“A small farm here, a small farm there, we will support that agenda so that even the church, when it’s not in a situation like this, is engaged in production. We will support that agenda to increase overall production and food security in our country.”
The President, who is himself a farmer, assured the Baptist Union of his personal support towards their agricultural ventures.
“As a farmer myself, I will support you by contributing something,” he said.
President Hichilema also noted the role of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in empowering citizens, including churches, to take up productive projects.
He explained that government had significantly scaled up the fund to ensure that communities benefit directly.
“The CDF must work for your benefit. That’s why we increased it from K1.6 million to K36.1 million per constituency, per year. This is your money, including the church. Benefit from it. CDF must be utilised when it’s needed,” he said.
The President assured the church that despite inheriting what he described as a difficult economy, his government had continued to prioritise infrastructure and development.
He cited the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ndola–Lusaka dual carriageway as an example of government’s commitment to improving the country’s road network.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, August 25, 2025
