Oxfam Zambia working with its implementing partners Nutrc Aid, and Women for Change has supported nine field schools in Namwala District to implement a project aimed at addressing the effects of the dry spell.

ZANIS reports that Nutru Aid Trust Director, Mukonde Mweemba said her Organisation is working with women and youths to promote leadership in communities and also supporting farmer’s field schools.

Ms Mweemba said the Improving the Social Economic status of women, youths and marginalized groups is an Irish funded program which is supporting 55 farmers in field schools in Namwala Gwembe , Kaomo and Mongu Districts.

“The program is supporting gender issues through promoting leadership among women and youths in communities, teaching them to manage resources at household level,” Ms Mweemba.

Nutri aid has so far supported the farmer field schools with water tanks, drip irrigation pipes, solar for water tank, and also inputs such as cow peas, maize seed, black beans cabbage, cricidia fruits through the promoting of intercropping by use of legumes and cereals

“The objective of farmer field schools is to help members to use the knowledge in their individual fields at their respective households, ” she added.

She said through the field schools farmers will also be provided with information on how to apply for CDF loans through the Ward Development committees to enhance productivity.

Nutri Aid Programs Manager Nyambe Manyando disclosed that his organization is promoting three securities in the program, such as food security, income security and nutrition security through farmer field schools.

Kabwe central Zone Ward Development Chairperson Herbert Chibilika thanked Oxfam and its partners for introducing the farmer field’s schools in the area,

Mr Chibilika has since appealed to Oxfam with its partners to increase the number of farmer field schools in the area because the population is growing.

Chief Muchila’s Representative Headman Nalumpa, Geoffrey Mutelo is grateful that Oxfam and Nutri Aid have supported them with solar water pumps, solar tanks, drip irrigation to enhance productivity in communities through farmer field schools,

He is also happy that the program is also supporting them with farming inputs which are drought resistant in case of low rainfall

A member of the Kabwe Central ward farmer field school Anita Mulife noted that the program is very beneficial as it helped them partner with agriculture extension staff with technical knowledge.

She is also grateful that they are being provided with both agriculture skills of irrigation and rain fed farming.