Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has announced the government’s intention to allocate approximately 200,000 hectares of land for irrigation purposes.
Kawale made the remarks during his visit to the Chikwawa Irrigation Scheme in Salima, where the Green Belt Authority (GBA) is cultivating maize on a 100-hectare plot of land.
The primary objective behind this initiative, according to Kawale, is to enhance food security in the country.
The government aims to facilitate commercial farming ventures by providing resources and support to interested individuals through large-scale farming projects.
Kawale disclosed that the ministry seeks to have approximately 50,000 hectares of land ready for irrigation by the end of the current year.
Additionally, the government has allocated over K100 billion towards agricultural production.
Meanwhile, Wester Kosamu, the Executive Chairman of GBA, expressed satisfaction with the current maize production levels saying plans are underway to expand the cultivation area to one thousand hectares.
The Greenbelt Authority anticipates producing 300 metric tonnes of maize during this farming season, with the harvested grain being supplied to the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) to bolster the national grain reserve.
According to Kosamu the project valued at K150 million has created employment opportunities for over 200 individuals through casual labour.
