Samuel Mbewe
Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri has commissioned the Tauya Irrigation Scheme community Project in Chirundu District of Southern Province.
Speaking during the handover of the project, Mr. Phiri says government is committed to change the face of Agriculture in the country through irrigation scheme and support smallholder farmers in the face of climate change.
He has observed that irrigation holds immerse potential in enhancing all year round food production, ensuring food security, promoting climate change adaptation and lifting households out of poverty.
Mr. Phiri says by providing a reliable water source for crops and reducing reliance on rain fed agriculture irrigation enables farmers to diversify their crops and increase yields.
The project has been supported by the UNDP Zambia under the strengthening climate resilience in Agriculture project (SCRALA).
And UNDP Economic advisor Ojijo Odhiambo says the commissioning of the project demonstrates the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices through harnessing resilient and low emission innovations such as solar energy and drip irrigation for efficient resource utilization.
Meanwhile, Chirundu Town Council Chairperson Nevers Muchindu has expressed concerned over the Lusitu Irrigation Scheme Project which has not been finalized in Chief Chipepo Chiefdom.
Mr. Muchindu says the project which is almost completed has been abandoned for two years and the Zambia National Service that were given part of the land for irrigation agriculture purposes has also abandoned the project.
The council Chairperson says the abandonment has resulted into some irrigation equipment vandalized.
Mr. Muchindu has urged the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Mtolo Phiri to engage the Minister of Defence Ambrose Lufuma to bring back the ZNS on site to commerce the works.
And in response, Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri has promised to engage the Minister of Defence and also the ZNS commander to ensure that works commences.
