Lungu to grace wheat, winter maize harvest

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is today expected in Sinazongwe on a working visit and to among other things, grace the wheat and winter maize harvest at Zambeef farm,

During his visit, the President is expected to among other activities grace the wheat and winter maize harvest at the Zambeef farm in the district.

Whist in Sinazongwe the President is later expected to tour the aquaculture fish cages on Lake Kariba.

According to the programme issued to ZANIS acting Southern Province Permanent Secretary Kennedy Mubanga. President Lungu is expected to arrive in Sinazongwe in the morning, then proceed to meet the Chiefs at the Council Chamber.

He is expected to return to Lusaka later in the day.

Last month, Zambeef corporate affairs manager and head of retail, Felix Lupindula told the Daily Nation that his company was expected to harvest close to 6, 000 tonnes of the grain at its farm in Sinazongwe this month.

Mr. Lupindula said the company’s 598 hectares of winter maize would be ready for harvesting this month and that the project was part of the company’s efforts to help alleviate drought perpetuated hunger in the region.

“We have 598 hectares of winter maize on Zambeef’s Sinazongwe Farm from which we expect close to 6, 000 tonnes of maize by October this year. The other irrigated winter crop on our Mpongwe, Chiawa and Chisamba Huntley Farms is about 7,000 hectares of wheat,” Mr Lupindula said.

He said the Zambezi Valley had good opportunities for dual cropping for cereals and other grain because of its maximum and minimum temperatures, with abundant water .

He said the valley had good climatic conditions which provided a good environment for growing cereals and legumes throughout the year.

“The other crops that would grow in Sinazongwe are Irish potatoes and kidney beans, they will give phenomenal yields unbeatable in Southern Africa,” Mr Lupindula said.

He said from the winter maize, Zambeef would add value by producing mealie meal, which was Zambia’s staple food, and supply it to the local people on the shores of Lake Kariba as well as other areas such as Sinazeze, Muzoka, Batoka, Maamba and Choma areas.