As part of the drought response interventions, the government through the Office of the Vice President has procured three water pumps at a cost of K40, 000 at Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme, in Chongwe district.

Resettlement Division Director, Cooper Chibomba has explained that the water pumps are expected to enable farmers along the Kanakantapa River to have access to smart irrigation technologies and guarantee household food security, all year round.

He noted that the efforts are envisioned to change the narrative of farmers being fully dependent on rain fed agriculture but also able them to access smart irrigation technologies for vegetables, maize and other crops being grown.

Mr Chibomba also disclosed that this is in addition to the drought response project which focuses on early recovery and building resilience at Kanantapa Resettlement Scheme.

He explained that partnering with ZANACO, the Resettlement Division is providing about five commercial boreholes, of which two have been drilled and will be used to fill up the main reservoir during the dry season.

He added that two industrial boreholes have also been drilled by the government and will also support farming activities at the training farm.

 “We are building resilience by harvesting water in a two million cubic meters water reservoir to assist in irrigation activities, targeting 36 hectares of land and supplying water to neighbouring farms around the scheme.

He further explained that under early recovery, the Resettlement Division ensures that settlers have access to food, in order to prevent malnutrition and guarantee food security.

Meanwhile, Kanakantapa Scheme Manager, Nakala Lwiindi disclosed that in an effort to support farming activities in the scheme, the Resettlement Division has released a tractor which is assisting farmers to plough and plant at no charge.

Mr Lwiindi said that management has already worked on about 10 hectares of farm land and will be covering an additional four hectares.

He indicated that the programme aims to support farmers, including those who have received starter packs and others within the scheme, to ensure that they have no excuse for not cultivating.    

Mr Lwiindi stated that through the training farm, the scheme plans on cultivating about six hectares of land with value chain crops such as maize, cassava and soya beans.

A beneficiary, Lewis Kalimakwenda is grateful to the Office of the Vice President for the mechanized farming initiative which has eased farming activities.

Mr Kalimakwenda explained that using the tractor, farmers are no longer spending a lot of time and effort to cultivate.