Melo News | Thursday, March 7, 2024 | Lusaka
The Zambia National Service (ZNS) has taken action to address the ongoing drought situation in the country by initiating the winter maize planting season at Kafue’s Chanyanya ZNS. This effort is part of a comprehensive response plan aimed at mitigating the effects of the drought.
During a planting ceremony attended by high-ranking officials such as Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Oscar Nyoni and Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner Frederick Chilukutu, Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma expressed the government’s strong commitment to combatting the calamity. The government is determined to swiftly implement a wide range of measures to alleviate the impact of the drought.
Minister Lufuma emphasized the importance of heeding nature’s warnings and urged for increased efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable future for future generations. He stressed the need to invest in tools and technologies that enable adaptation and thriving in the face of adversity.
ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi announced that the service plans to plant approximately 1,978 hectares of irrigated maize by July 2024. This initiative aims to yield an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes of maize by the end of the third quarter.
Lieutenant General Solochi acknowledged the devastating impact of the drought on ZNS fields and assured that the service will implement measures to reduce vulnerability and ensure a more sustainable agricultural system. The ZNS is committed to playing its part in addressing the drought situation and contributing to the overall resilience of the country’s agricultural sector.
