70 Motobikes for extension officers under Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up Project

 *By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*

 

Agriculture Minister GIVEN LUBINDA says his Ministry intends to make conservation agriculture the official means of increasing farm productivity among small scale farmers and emergent producers in the country.

Mr. LUBINDA says most small scale farmers in rural areas experience relatively higher poverty levels due to low production and productivity and consequent food insecurity.

He says average maize yields among small scale farmers have been reducing from about 3 metric tonnes per hectare at independence to the current 1 point 3 metric tonnes per hectare thereby making some households food insecure.

Speaking during the handover of 70 Motor bikes to extension officers under the conservation Agriculture Scaling up project, Mr. LUBINDA says transport challenges has inhibited the ability by of field staff to effectively reach out to the intended beneficiaries of the project.

He says provision of the motor bikes will enhance provision of technical information and extension services on conservation agriculture to farmers.

Meanwhile, Mr. LUBINDA has cautioned all beneficiary staff to look after the motorbikes and use it for the intended purposes.

And Food Agriculture Organisation Country representative GEORGE OKECH says FAO has continued to provide technical and material support in various fields in the agriculture sector.

Mr. OKECH says the CASU project has piloted a number of initiatives critical to the delivery of extension services to farmers.

He says farmers a now able to receive and ask extension services through SMS, which enable them to chat with various expertise.

He further says the project is also implementing routine monitoring and reporting by extension officers which has contributed immensely towards the improvement of farmer to extension officer contacts.

TRADITIONAL LEADERS REFUSE TO DEBATE THE DRAFT LAND POLICY

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*Draft Land Policy*

Ministry of Lands Acting Permanent Secretary LENOX KALONDE says the significance of a land policy to govern land administration in the country cannot be overemphasized.

He says lack of a National Land Policy has contributed to the various land challenges being experienced in the country.

Speaking during a one day national land policy consultative meeting with the House of Chiefs Mr.

KALONDE says it is important that an acceptable land policy be formulated as various pieces of legislation have not been effective in addressing the many challenges being experienced in the country.

He says the Ministry of lands has decided to engage traditional leaders in order to ensure the process of drafting and developing the land policy for the country adheres to the pre-requisites for social and economic development of society.

Mr. KALONDE has further informed the traditional leaders that the draft land policy development process is in line with the framework and guidelines of land in Africa which were developed by a tripartite consortium of African Union Organisation, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank through a land policy initiative.  

And the traditional leaders have expressed concern over the documents.

In a question and answer session to debate some clause in the draft document, Chief MADZIMAWE of the Ngoni people in Chipata says the document has not come in good faith as it is meant to deprive the royal highnesses of their power over land.

He wondered why the document has not stated clearly where the chief’s authority over land has been placed as it is not clearly stated in the documents.

Meanwhile, Chief KABINGA of the BISA people in Mpika District says the document if not well formulated might bring anarchy to the nation.

He says the draft policy document is aimed at encouraging corruption because it provides for foreigners to get title directly from government without going through the chiefs who are the custodians of land.

And in summarizing the chiefs concerns, House of Chiefs Chairperson, CHIEFTAINNESS NKOMEHSYA MUKAMAMBO THE SECOND has called on the Ministry of Lands to give the traditional leaders enough time to go through the document.

She says continuing with the debate over the draft policy might result in decision that do not mean while to the people being represented.

She has the concerns raised by chiefs are very valid and must be taken seriously other than rushing into formulating the policy.

Chieftainness NKOMESHYA has further disclosed that the chiefs where only availed the document a night before and have not had time to go through the document.

Zambia’s future of getting to zero new HIV infection is possible- Lusaka DC

By *MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka- World AIDS day*

 

Lusaka District Commissioner DAVISON MULENGA says Zambia’s future of getting to zero new HIV infection is possible if all gets involved in high level prevention intervention such as HIV counseling and testing, male circumcision among other interventions.

Captain MULENGA says members of faith based organisations should be encouraged to access treatment being provided by government to every eligible person living with HIV in the District.

Speaking during an interdenominational Candle Lighting Ceremony on the eve of World AIDS Day held at Mtendere’s United Church of Zambia Saint John’s Congregation, Captain MULENGA says he does not expect anyone to die in the district because of not having access to HIV treatment.

Meanwhile, Captain MULENGA has advised the clergy to desist from telling their infected members to stop taking ARVs without verifying the patient’s status. 

He has further called on the church to bring to an end stigma and discrimination in saying that Love is what should be preached when one has been found to be HIV positive.

He says Church leaders must lead by example by embracing infected persons in their fold and bring stigma and discrimination to zero.

Captain MULENGA says well reflecting on this year’s theme, there is need to remember the orphans, widows and vulnerable children because they are a serious source of concern.

He says the theme challenges everyone especially the church leaders to turn the commemoration from being a moment of remembrance to a moment of action so that every faith will mainstream HIV and AIDS programme in order to make Zambia free from the threat of HIV and AIDS as enshrined in the Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, United Church of Zambia clergyman, ROBERT GAMA says there is need to develop a positive attitude towards addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Reverend GAMA says people should reflect on whether they attitudes towards people living with HIV are building or destroying.

He says every problem comes with a solution and so people should endeavour to find solutions to HIV problems if the zero new infection is to be met.

He says working together in the fight against the pandemic is one way of finding a solution to the problem.

And the Bible Society of Zambia has called on the Church to continue working together in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Society’s Good Samaritan programme officer ESTHER KAYOMBO says the church has been instrumental in the fight against the virus.