K67m farmer empowerment rolled out

GOVERNMENT has empowered small-scale entrepreneurs and farmer communities in Western Province with over K67 million to carry out projects aimed at uplifting lives in their localities. This is under the US$50.6 million Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) targeting over 500, 000 beneficiaries in 17 districts of Western and Southern provinces. The project is aimed at strengthening climate resilience in the Barotse Sub-Basin with communities being supported to build resilience by diversifying livelihoods to include income generating activities that are not heavily affected by weather and climate change. Speaking during the handover of the cheques, President Edgar Lungu said about US$100m would be pumped into the programme and extended to 16 districts in Muchinga, Luapula and Northern provinces. President Lungu said under the project, Government had supported 110, 412 households to undertake livelihood activities that help them increase their income levels, ensure security and adaptive capacity. He directed the minister of National Development Planning, Alexander Chiteme to ensure an assessment of the gains and challenges the programme was experiencing. President Lungu said the project demonstrates Government’s resolve to sustain livelihoods even in the midst of harsh social and economic conditions due to climate change. “The PF Government has always pursued an ambitious agenda of delivering socio-economic development through construction and rehabilitation of various infrastructure projects,” he said. He said the PF Government was “walking the talk and not mere politicking.” President Lungu however said climate change continues to be the enemy to the successes scored and had adversely food security and sustainable livelihoods of people. He said it was the reason Government commenced the implementation of PPCR with support from the Climate Investment Fund through the World Bank and African Development Bank. President Lungu thanked WB and AfDB for the continued support to different sectors in the country. “A group from the community comprising 105 members has been trained in fibre production under PPRC. The group has so far raised over K200, 000 in revenue,” he said. President Lungu also directed Mr Chiteme to ensure the programme was rolled out to all provinces. And Mr Chiteme said beneficiaries were involved in horticulture, aquaculture, farming and other business ventures. He said beneficiaries were also linked to international markets and that the programme was being scaled up. One of the beneficiaries, Ms Prudence Mwikelela who received over K1m support for her mushroom business said she would soon start exporting her products to Namibia. Ms Mwikelela thanked Government for improving their livelihoods, saying that the PPCR had enabled poor people to start taking their children to school and live a decent life.