GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE SOLUTIONS ARE IN PLACE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS THE COUNTRY IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING - HON. NZOVU

 Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu MP says the country is currently going through hard times but the Government will ensure that solutions to the current problems are in place. 

Speaking when he met commercial farmers from accross the country, led by the Zambia National Farmers Union, Hon. Nzovu said there is a punishing drought and the country is food insecure at the moment.

He said looking at meteorology data, the figures are not encouraging as conditions are getting worse and temperatures are rising.

The Honourable Minister said the first thing is recognizing how severe the issue is which was already done when His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster.

"We are here to find solutions. We want to see how we can build those dams, one of the things we want to achieve as Government is water harvesting to ensure our irrigation potential increases. To ensure we are food secure, we are food surplus. We need to ensure we increase our energy security as we need energy," he said.

"We will have targets to the construction of dams. We want to put every dam on the map, analyse and get them on board."

He said the Government believes that the agricultural sector will contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in a very big way.

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Hon. Mike Mposha reiterated the Government's efforts in harvesting water through the construction of dams and wells

Hon. Mposha said the Government will ensure that proper water and sanitation is provided to every Zambian especially those in farming to ensure food security for the people.

And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) trustee Mr. Graham Mulders said farmers are very supportive of the Government's efforts and will do whatever they can to support it.

"We want to see Zambia progress. We want to see Zambia succeed. We want to heed the Presidents call," he said.

Mr. Mulders, a farmer from Kalomo district, said climate Change is real as can be seen from what is happening. 

"As a consequence, food security is at risk and we have to collectively find a solution for this dilemma. We can no longer rely on erratic rainfall. We have to put our minds together. We have to work together with ZEMA (The Zambia Environmental Management Agency) and WARMA (Water Resources Management Authority) to find solutions," he said.

He said farmers would like to see less red tape and less delays from ZEMA and WARMA.

Mr. Mulders also asked Government on the possibility of reducing tax on generator sets and Value Added Tax (VAT) as this will assist farmers going forward. 

"We will grow more, give us the tools and we will do the job for you," said Mr. Mulders.

Others present in the meeting included officials from WARMA, ZEMA and the Zambia Meteorological Department.