Shibuyunji Youths to benefit from Smart Agriculture Project

More than 2,000 youths in Shibuyunji District are set to benefit from a three-year smart agriculture and empowerment project being implemented by Development Aid from People to People (DAPP). DAPP Project Coordinator Abyshi Hachiwa says the Young Farmers Club initiative, aimed at…

More than 2,000 youths in Shibuyunji District are set to benefit from a three-year smart agriculture and empowerment project being implemented by Development Aid from People to People (DAPP).

DAPP Project Coordinator Abyshi Hachiwa says the Young Farmers Club initiative, aimed at empowering rural youths and promoting climate-smart agriculture, is being supported by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Mr Hachiwa said the project seeks to equip young people with farming skills and resources to help them cope with growing climate challenges.

He was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe in Kabwe.

Mr Hachiwa said more than K2 million has been invested in the project, which will also be implemented in other districts across the country.

He said beneficiaries will receive climate-smart agriculture training, farming inputs and solar-powered irrigation pumps.

Mr Hachiwa said the irrigation pumps will be particularly important as the country prepares for the anticipated El Nino season.

He also emphasised the need for collaboration with Government departments to ensure the project achieves its objectives.

Meanwhile, Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe commended DAPP and KCM for supporting community development through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Dr. Mwanakampwe urged DAPP to convene a stakeholder engagement meeting to identify the most pressing needs of people in Shibuyunji, particularly in view of the anticipated El Nino conditions.

He suggested that drilling boreholes could be a more urgent intervention than providing farming inputs because of the potential for water shortages.