Mpulungu District Commissioner(DC) Gehard Sikazwe says the area has been tasked to start producing over 60 thousand metric tonnes of maize by 2027 to contribute to the national food reserves.

Mr Sikazwe says this will also help the government achieve its target of having 10 million metric tonnes of strategic food reserves by 2027.

He said government has put a premium on agriculture as a key component towards achieving the country’s transformation agenda.

ZANIS reports that Mr Sikazwe was speaking during the 2024 Agriculture Tourism and Investment Show.

He said government has demonstrated a strong will to accelerate rural development by developing the agricultural sector.

Mr Sikazwe explained that government has continued to introduce more initiatives to support farmers, such as the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility, which covers farmers who are not benefiting from the Farmer Input Support Programme and Food Security Pack programmes, as well as CDF agriculture loans.

Mr. Sikazwe has since encouraged farmers to sell their produce to government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) which is offering them a good price.

He noted that it is the responsibility of every farmer to contribute to the attainment of food security in the country by selling their maize to the FRA.

Mr Sikazwe added that all farmers who are beneficiaries of FISP are required to supply at least 10 by 50kg bags of white maize to FRA.

And District Agriculture Coordinator, Blessford Mubanga described the 2024 Mpulungu Agriculture Tourism and Investment show as a success.

Mr Mubanga explained that the department will continue to work with farmers in order to meet its target.

He expressed happiness with a number of farmers who have come out to showcase their farm products.

Mr Mubanga reiterated that the department will also continue working with farmers to increase productivity on their farm.

This year’s Mpulungu District Agriculture, Tourism, And Investment show was held under the theme of creating a competitive future.