Chiefs back Grow Zambia Agenda

Traditional leaders in Kazungula District have pledged to support President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda by contributing to the 10,10,5,3,3,1,1,1 trajectory. Chief Sekute and Chief Mukuni of Kazungula District in Southern Province said government’s target of…

Traditional leaders in Kazungula District have pledged to support President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda by contributing to the 10,10,5,3,3,1,1,1 trajectory.

Chief Sekute and Chief Mukuni of Kazungula District in Southern Province said government’s target of producing 10 million metric tonnes of maize for both local and international markets requires the full participation of chiefdoms.

The traditional leaders were speaking when Southern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Gift Monde paid courtesy calls on them at their respective palaces.

The traditional leaders also commended government for its quick response in establishing Food Reserve Agency (FRA) satellite depots to ease the transportation of maize by farmers to marketing points.

Chief Sekute said his chiefdom was ready to contribute to the agenda, adding that farmers were now motivated to increase production following the establishment of a satellite depot in the chiefdom.

“As a chiefdom, we have not had satellite depots for many years, and this was challenging because our farmers had to travel long distances to sell their produce to FRA,” Chief Sekute said.

He commended government for responding to the challenges faced by farmers by bringing the depots closer to them.

And Chief Mukuni thanked government for coming to the aid of farmers by reducing the distances they have to travel to sell their produce.

“We appreciate government for coming through for our farmers. This has been their cry for a long time,” Chief Mukuni said.

Meanwhile, Southern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Gift Monde assured the traditional leaders of government’s commitment to securing maize stocks ahead of the anticipated El Niño conditions.

Mr Monde said government was aware of the challenges farmers in the two chiefdoms had been facing, hence the decision to establish depots within their catchment areas.

“We are aware that farmers want to sell their produce, but let us also be mindful of the El Niño in case we experience a drought,” Mr Monde said.

Mr Monde advised farmers to reserve part of their maize for household consumption in view of the anticipated El Niño conditions.