CHITIMUKULU SEES NORTH AS COUNTRY’S NEXT FOOD BASKET

PARAMOUNT Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba has perceived Northern Province to be the country’s next food basket.

Chitimukulu notes that the region has continued to receive good rainfall and has good soil, which is conducive for farming.

He urges that people in the province should take advantage of the situation to start engaging in serious farming so that they can feed the rest of the country.

“I do not see why we cannot be the food basket of the country if we work hard to produce more food,” he states.

Chitimukulu has also commended the government for supporting the growth of agriculture in the region.

The Mwinelubemba said this when a team from United Capital Fertiliser paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Kasama.

Meanwhile, Chitimukulu has also predicted a maize bumper harvest in the province.

“In January, I went around some fields to see how farmers were doing, and I must say I am impressed that people are starting to engage in farming, and I’m very certain we will record a good harvest,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chitimukulu stressed the need to encourage young people to engage in serious farming.

And United Capital Fertiliser Regional Manager for Northern Province, Chewe Mulenga, whose company was contracted to deliver D compound fertiliser under the Farmer Input Support Programme, is impressed with the performance of the crop in Kasama.

Captain Mulenga said his company decided to undertake a monitoring visit to check how crops that used their fertiliser are performing.

He said the response received from farmers is encouraging, adding that his firm will continue working with the government to service farmers.

Ms Patricia Chishala, a farmer from Kalense area, has expressed happiness with the way her crops have performed.

Ms Chishala said she received the inputs on time and planted the maize as early as November 2. She has since predicted a bumper maize harvest this season. - ZANIS.