Govt avails 500ha food, nutrition demo plots

From Miriam Mangwaya in Chikomba
Government has availed 500 hectares of land to be used as Food and Nutrition demonstration plots for the 2017/2018 farming season, an official has said. The land will be used as demonstration plots for crop production under Command Agriculture and the Presidential Input Support Scheme.

Youths are expected to produce maize and soyabeans on the plots. Chikomba District youth development officer Mr Edgar Zidya said the 500ha of land consisted of under-utilised farming land, which was sourced from village heads and land owners within the district’s 30 wards. Land sourcing and registration is still in progress and due to the great enthusiasm shown by the youths for this project, we can avail up to 1 000 hectares,” he said.

“Implementation of this project will result in increased food security, revenue and employment opportunities amongst the youths.” Mr Zidya said proceeds from the demonstration plots would be used to improve service delivery in rural areas. He said 25 percent of the land will be used for soya bean farming, while 75 percent will be reserved for maize production. Deputy chairperson of the committee spearheading the programme in Chikomba District Mr Mike Mamire said it was an income generating project. He said the project would promote youth participation in Command Agriculture, while developing their farming skills.

“The youth have embraced the project and are promising to work towards its success, he said. Food security is important in any country, hence involvement of youth in farming projects will nurture them to ensure that there is sustainable agricultural production in the country.”