By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Trade and commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga has flagged off the distribution of 1,794 metric tons of relief white Maize grain in Chingola District to affected disaster beneficiaries through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
Mr Chipoka said due to climate conditions some parts of the country experienced drought and floods which brought about low yield of the crops during the 2023/2024 farm season which lead the president to declare National Disaster hence this relief distribution.
He said Government has taken the intiative in collaboration with stakeholders such as world food Program to transport maize to the affected people in identified communities to cushion the effects of the drought.
Mr Mulenga who is also Chingola Member of Parliament said this is to uphold the dignity of the vulnerable community.
He said Government is committed to ensuring that the destructive power of climate change is Minimized.
“This is to promote decent livelihood for the people on the copperbelt and the country as the same program is been Flagged off in Masaiti, pongwe and other district, he said.
Mr Mulenga said the country has enough maize compared to what others may what to say because the maize given out is from harvest is for 2021-2023.
“We just need to be cautious because last farming season was not favorable,” he said.
He advised those sitting in the committees for distribution to work together with all stakeholders involved and manage this prudently.
Meanwhile Mr Mulenga has called on farmers harvesting this season not to sale their produce outside the country instead sale to FRA and local Milliers to boasts the national food security.
And Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo said the program is not just been implemented in Chingola but Also to other eight districts to cushion the ranger situation.
Mr Kasongo said the Province received 34,000 bags of maize to be shared in the nine district.
Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe abd Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi expressed gratitude towards the gesture and intiative by government in salivating House hold poverty
