MTOLO LEANS ON FARM BLOCK CONCEPT

By Jessica Mwansa

WE urge all Zambians to support the Government’s efforts so that our youths, women and disadvantaged groups in society can benefit meaningfully from important programs being rolled out, Minister of Agriculture Reuben Phiri Mtolo has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Mr. Mtolo said among many programs aligned, the New Dawn Government had placed the farm block model at the centre of the development and commercialisation of agricultural land using the farm block development programme.

“As the United Party for National Development (UPND), we are learning from past mistakes and pursuant to the UPND manifesto’s aim of increasing agricultural productivity and profitability, the Government has provided renewed impetus towards development of the farm blocks.

“Critical is the issue of attracting and availing land for large scale agri-business investments by both local and foreign private sector businesses. The private sector businesses are expected to work with the small-scale farmers in the localities that they will invest in. The Government is fully aware that for this to happen, we have to systematically invest in basic infrastructure such as access roads, electricity, communal dams, and other social amenities,” Mr. Mtolo said.

He noted that since 2006, only Nansanga, Luena, and Luswishi farm blocks have had some support towards infrastructure development that stands at about 85 percent, 40 percent, and 15 percent respectively.

He added that the Government will provide basic infrastructure, including other incentives and then invite the private sector who are willing to set up anchor farms and value addition facilities in the farm blocks. 

“The situation in the other farm blocks is not as developed in that only land identification and consent from the chiefs has taken place. However, the New Dawn Government has a clear policy direction in terms of how the farm blocks will be developed.

“The Ministry will continue supporting efforts of our Republican President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to ensure that the much-needed local and foreign investment is attracted into the farm blocks,” he said.

“This can only happen if our local small-scale farmers work in partnership with local and foreign investors. We have seen this happen in other countries and it is our intention to make it happen in the farm blocks,” he said.

He said the New Dawn Administration had prioritised agriculture as the engine for economic development, job creation and growth.