18 Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs) have received various agricultural equipment and livestock worth over K500,000 in Shiwang’andu District of Muchinga Province.
ZANIS reports that Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule who handed over the farming equipment at a ceremony which was held at Shiwang’andu District Administration Offices yesterday, said the equipment are meant to help CWACs in their farming activities.
Mr Mukungule noted that the equipment included 11 hammer mills, 3 maize shellers, livestock consisting of 65 goats and 100 chickens, as well as 32 bicycles.
The PS also highlighted that the items being handed over have been made possible through the collection of recoveries from beneficiary households under the Food Security Pack (FSP) programme.
Mr Mukungule added that the FSP programme is designed in a way that the recoveries are reinvested back into the same communities, thereby maximising the coverage and impact of the programme.
He said the distribution represents not only material support but also a substantial investment in the future prosperity and development of the communities.
“The far-reaching benefits of agricultural equipment and livestock cannot be overstated, this gesture will undoubtedly ease the lives of many people within these communities,” he said.
Mr Mukungu added that the recipients of livestock have been trained by the department of fisheries and livestock in livestock management, equipping them with the skills needed to sustain their livelihoods.
“These beneficiaries have also received business and life skills training, providing them with opportunities to engage in entrepreneurship and develop a sustainable source of income,” he said.
“Those receiving agricultural machinery have undergone comprehensive training through the combined efforts of the department of agriculture and the suppliers of the machines,” he added.
Mr Mukungule added that the act demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable yet capable households and communities across the province.
And Speaking at the same event in her welcoming remarks, Shiwang’andu District Commissioner Maureen Bwembya expressed disappointment, lamenting that some people in the district were going round telling beneficiaries under the Food Security Pack (FSP) programme that there are no recoveries under the programme.
Ms Bwembya however was quick to mention that swift action was taken to mitigate the situation through a team from the district office who went round to explain to the beneficiaries on the importance and benefits of the recoveries.
She further commended the department of Community Development in the District who are working tirelessly to implement the Food Security Pack Programme along other crucial social protection interventions.
Ms Bwembya added that the goal of the government is to lift people out of poverty and build a resilient community that stands as a model for other districts.
The DC said the items being distributed will with no doubt yield several positive outcomes which include employment creation that will empower the young people and stimulate economic growth across the district.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries Steven Chibesa thanked the government for the support.
Mr Chibesa said with such equipment there will be a reduction in the cost of milling services which will save families upto 30 percent on food expenses enabling them to reallocate resources to other needs such as education and health.
He added that improvement in nutrition levels, particularly for vulnerable households will lead to better health and productivity and further decrease the long distance people travel to access milling services among others.
Mr Chibesa further assured the government that beneficiaries will ensure the tools provided are used efficiently to transform people’s life in the district.
