Government has urged farmers in Northern Province to embrace mechanised farming.

Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao says the government has established five centres of excellence in agricultural mechanisation in the province meant to boost productivity and that farmers should take advantage of the services to improve their farming.

Mr. Mbao said improving agricultural production is key to achieving both food security and economic development.

He emphasised the need for the province to take advantage of the good rains and water bodies to venture into irrigation farming.

The Minister said this in an interview with ZANIS in Mbala District.

Mr, Mbao has further advised farmers to take keen interest in agricultural mechanisation, saying it is a government programme that should not be politicised.

And Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu said the government has set up five centres of excellence for agricultural mechanisation in Mbala, Kasama, Mungwi, Mporokoso, and Luwingu Districts.

Mr. Mpundu said the centres have since been equipped with farming equipment and implements such as tractors, discs, planters, harrows, among others.