The Government has provided US$40,000 as a special grant under the Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Kafue Sub-Basin Project (SCRiKA) to enable MKP Farms to complete the construction of an agro-processing plant.
The SCRiKA Project falls under the National Project Coordinating Unit (NPCU) in the Ministry of National Development Planning.
Minister of National Development Planning Hon. Alexander Chiteme, MP, in a speech read on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary in charge of Development Cooperation, Monitoring and Evaluation Mr Danies Chisenda at the cheque handover ceremony in Chibombo today, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promote the agriculture sector and processing of farm produce.
Mr Chiteme expressed gratitude that MKP Farms Ltd agro-processing plant will host a cold-room, drying, sorting and packaging bay for value addition as well as a warehouse.
“The Government through the SCRiKA matching grant initially supported MKP Farms with K250,000. However, this initial support was not adequate to fully service the 36,000 community members scattered in the three selected wards of Chibombo district,” he said.
The Minister said MKP Farms provides training in climate smart agricultural practices, harvesting, handling and packaging of farm produce according to the specified standards of the chain stores and the international markets.
Mr Chiteme explained that the SCRiKA is a US$ 38 million Project jointly financed by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the Government of Zambia.
SCRiKA Project covers 11 Districts in Choma, Kalomo, Namwala, Monze, Pemba and Mazabuka Districts in Southern Province; Itezhi-Tezhi, Chibombo, Shibuyunji and Mumbwa Districts in Central Province and Kafue District in Lusaka Province.
