Government through the Department of Community Development in Lundazi District in Eastern Province will spend about K60,000 on the implementation of the Emergency Wetlands Component programme under the Food Security Pack (FSP).
Assistant Community Development officer Chimuka Choongo disclosed that 3,300 packs have been allocated to Lundazi district for the 3,300 beneficiaries.
She said the packs will comprise 1000 by 5kg packs of white maize, 1000 by 5kg packs of Orange maize, 200g of Okra Seed, 100g Impwa seed and 5kg of Beans.
Ms Choongo explained that the wetlands component under FSP would be implemented off the rainy season, relying on residual moisture and irrigation, using available water sources such as streams, wells, water basins or any other water point accessible by the communities.
She added that the programme will promote the cultivation of crops that grow during the dry season to enhance household food, nutrition and income security.
The Emergency Wetlands Component has been necessitated by the effects of the El Nino weather conditions which resulted in prolonged dry spells and affected crop yields negatively.
The programme is one of the measures that the government has put in place to stabilise the expected food insecurity.