AS Promised, this week the Zambia National Service (ZNS) has today began the planting of winter maize at its Chanyanya farm in Kafue district.
This development comes as part of the short term efforts that the service has put in place in order to challenge the hunger situation yet to blow the nation, as a result of the current drought being experienced in most parts of the country.
This fieled is part of the 1,978 Hectares of maize that the Service has earmarked to plant with an estimated yield of 15,000 metric tonnes expected by the end of the third quarter.
The planting ceremony took place today, and was witnessed by Defence Minister, Ambrose Lufuma, Zambia Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General, Oscar Nyoni, Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner Frederick Chilukutu, and the ZNS commander, Lieutenant General, Maliti Solochi who hosted the two at the farm.
Lufuma however plucked the opportunity to caution all farmers against paying a blind eye to climate change, adding on that government is more than ready and prepared to counter the calamity through speedy implementation of a wide range of measures that curb the impact of drought on food security.
He added that the winter maize by the ZNS will help supplement the country’s maize stock.
Lufuma therefore called for enhanced efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable future for generations to come by investing in tools and technologies that enable the adaption and thriving in the midst of adversity.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Solochi, said that the service has been motivated to move promptly in enhancing the irrigation of crops.
He further added that the service will implement measures that will reduce the vulnerability of the impact that the drought is expected to bring.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba March 7, 2024
