Govt completes wetland inputs distribution in Lusaka

Government has completed the distribution of wetland farming inputs to vulnerable but viable households across all six districts of Lusaka Province, in a move aimed to strengthen household and national food security. Lusaka Provincial Administration Principal Public Relations…

Government has completed the distribution of wetland farming inputs to vulnerable but viable households across all six districts of Lusaka Province, in a move aimed to strengthen household and national food security.

Lusaka Provincial Administration Principal Public Relations Officer Logic Lukwanda said the completion of the distribution is part of Government’s continued efforts to promote food production and enhance the resilience of farming households against drought and erratic rainfall.

Mr Lukwanda said a total of 5,710 beneficiaries across the province had received wetland farming inputs under the programme.

He said Lusaka district has 500 beneficiaries, Chilanga, Rufunsa, Kafue and Luangwa have 1,000 beneficiaries each while Chongwe District has the highest number of beneficiaries, standing at 1,210.

“The package of inputs includes Compound D and UREA fertiliser, white hybrid maize seed for early- and medium-maturing varieties, as well as medium-maturing Vitamin A-fortified hybrid maize seed,” Mr Lukwanda said.

He said beneficiaries have also received various vegetable seeds, including red onion, okra, rape, cabbage, butternut, tomato and eggplant, together with bactericides, insecticides, fungicides and agricultural lime.

Mr Lukwanda explained that the core objective of the wetland inputs intervention is to mitigate the effects of drought and erratic rainfall by encouraging farmers to utilise dambos, rivers and wetlands for continuous food production.

He said the initiative was designed to enable vulnerable but viable farming households to continue producing food during the dry season and throughout the year.

“At national level, the Government is targeting 120,000 vulnerable but viable farming households for dry-season and year-round cultivation,” Mr Lukwanda said.

He further commended the Department of Community Development under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services for remaining steadfast in the implementation of the programme.

He said the intervention would help strengthen food production at household level while contributing to the broader national objective of improving food security and building resilience among farming communities.