175,000 MT of maize expected to be harvested in areas not affected by drought

GOVERNMENT says it is anticipating to harvest 175,000 metric tons of maize from the areas that are not affected by the drought.

Munali Constituency Member of Parliament, Mike Mposha says government will today start harvesting the 150 thousand metric tons of winter maize which will not be exported to ensure food security in the country.

Speaking when he officiated at the Avondale Seventh Day Adventist Church dedication service, Mr Mposha said the government intends to import 200 thousand metric tons as one of the measures to ensure food security in the country.

Mr Mposha who is also Minister of Water Development and Sanitation stated that the 1.2 million hectares of maize has so far been lost in the 84 districts that have been hit by the drought.

He disclosed that the drought has led to a deficit of 700 megawatts of power which has led to the eight hours of load shedding in the country.

Mr Mposha further explained that the government had started constructing water harvesting facilities before the drought in order to promote irrigation in certain parts of the country.

“In 2023, we started by putting up measures to construct 16 dams, five of which are being constructed by the Zambia National Service and the rest by private contractors. In 2024, we have earmarked in our budget to build 28 dams to ensure that water is harvested for the small farmers to irrigate,” he said.

Mr Mposha assured that the government will do everything possible to ensure that there is enough stock of maize to control the price of mealie meal in the country thereby ensuring food security.

He also urged the church to continue praying for the government and the weather situation in the country.

Mr Mposha further called on the church to scale up efforts by helping families with young people addicted to drugs and alcohol to improve the moral decay in the country which has become a big problem for the government.

And Avondale SDA Church Service Elder, Milner Mooba assured the government of the church’s commitment to help in the eradicating moral decay among the youths in the country.

Mr Mooba pledged that the church will also continue with its community service through various activities conducted by the different groups in the church.