NZOVU, ZNFU CONFER OVER WINTER MAIZE, WATER HARVEST 

By Scoop Reporter

MINISTER of Water Development and Sanitation Eng. Collins Nzovu has thanked the Zambia National Farmer’s Union (ZNFU) for championing the production of winter maize to ensure that the country is food secure.

During a meeting yesterday with ZNFU officials led by Union President Jervis Zimba, Mr. Nzovu expressed our gratitude to farmers for their positive response to President Hakainde Hichilema’s call to cultivate winter maize to ensure national food security amidst the drought.

Mr. Nzovu said farmers have committed to planting early maturing maize as part of the drought response and that his ministry has assured them of its support in ensuring access to water for farming.

He said to facilitate water harvesting, the ministry has removed regulatory barriers and directed the Water Resource Management Authority (WARMA) to expedite permit issuance for farmers constructing dams or accessing water from streams and rivers.

“We emphasized the interlinkage between water and energy security, as both are crucial for irrigation and farming. With droughts affecting water availability, we must share this scarce resource among hydro power generation, human consumption, livestock, wildlife, and irrigation.

“We recognize the critical role farmers play in food security and will do everything possible to support their efforts. To ease the burden of drought-related revenue losses, we are providing agricultural loans and drought funds,” Mr. Nzovu said.