In a significant move to support drought-affected communities, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development has begun distributing small-sized solar-powered milling plants in Gwembe , Southern Province. This initiative is designed to strengthen the resilience of local communities grappling with severe drought conditions.
The distribution of these milling plants is a crucial part of the government’s broader strategy to empower rural populations and foster sustainable development in the face of challenging climatic conditions. At the launch event, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Elias Mubanga, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to assisting affected communities by providing both soft loans and essential equipment.
The government’s overarching objective is to mitigate the adverse impacts of the drought by equipping people with vital tools and financial support, thereby helping them to rebuild their livelihoods. The initiative, facilitated by the Ministry through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), involves the deployment of solar-powered hammer mills. These mills will allow recipients of relief maize to process their grain at a more affordable rate, alleviating some of the economic pressures on drought-stricken communities.
Additionally, a member of a local cooperative in Gwembe has urged the government to supply sorghum and millet seeds to further boost agricultural productivity in the region.