The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has cleared over 200 hectares of land on the Copperbelt’s Lufwanyama district to be used for maize cultivation ahead of the next farming season.
ZAF have moved forward to take part in the next farming season in response to Republican President Hakainde Hichilema’s challenge to all defence forces to get involved in cultivation to counter any possible food shortages in the country.
On Tuesday, ZAF Commander Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni visited Lufwanyama to inspect the ongoing preparatory works on the piece of land earmarked for maize cultivation in Chief Shibuchinga’s area.
Lt Gen Nyoni sent out his gratitude to Chief Shibuchinga for granting the ZAF command extended land for cultivation and expressed optimism of a good harvest in the coming farming season.
Meanwhile, ZAF Director of Public Relations & Foreign Liaison Col. Mutale Kasoma has revealed that a total of 210 of the intended 300 hectares of land had so far been cleared in readiness for cultivation.
Col. Kasoma further added that the Air Force had collaborated with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) which will provide irrigation facilities on the farm.
“The target is that we clear up to 300 hectares of land which will now be rainfed this year” Col. Kasoma said.
Next year, the Air Force plans to increase its maize production with the expansion of its cultivation space to another 400 hectares to bring the total hectarage to 700 by the year 2025.
