EX-MINERS PLEDGE TO GROW INTO COMMERCIAL FARMERS

EX-MINERS have pledged to grow from small-scale farmers to large scale growers in order to contribute to econoPiF diYeUsifiFDtion

The ex-miners who have been given agricultural land by Government, said they would not only be growing maize, but other crops that would earn them the much-needed capital to boost their business.

National Ex-Miners and Allied Workers Association of Zambia (NEAWAZ) President Taulo Chewe said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that some international organizations had approached some Ex-miners with the intentions of promoting the cultivation of Moringa on their farms.

"We are grateful to President Edgar Lungu for giving Ex-miners land and I must tell you that we will use this land to good use. We may be facing challenges of start-up capital, but we are confident that we will develop into large scale farmers.

"Yes, Large scale farmers who will be contributing to food security and making economic diversification a reality. I can tell you that a lot is happening underground. You will see," Mr Chewe said.

The Ex-miners have been allocated land across Kafue river in Mufuchani area in Kitwe and in Lufwanyama district.

Mr Chewe said the Exminers have since signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) in which the union would provide start-up capital. In return MUZ would be buying maize from the Ex-miners to be processed into mealie-meal at its milling plant in Chambishi township in Kitwe.

He said there were other organizations which had approached the Ex-miners so that they could work together in promoting food security and poverty alleviation.

"As an association, we are eager to work with organizations who have good intentions like MUZ. Good intentions which will benefit them and Ex-miners,” he said

He said his association was pleased to have some international organizations who wanted to encourage the Exminers to grow Moringa on their farms.

"As an association, we are pleased to have international organizations who have ideas of developing the lives of Exminers.

This will make the Ex-miners contribute to poverty alleviation and possibly employment creation for the local people,'' He said.