Call on President Hichilema to Address Food Insecurity through Borehole Construction and Agricultural Support
The Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) has urged the Zambian government to take immediate action in response to the looming threat of food insecurity resulting from poor rainfall and escalating prices of essential commodities.
Executive Director Samuel Banda emphasized the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the impact of the drought on food security.
Mr. Banda proposed a multifaceted approach to tackle the issue, including the construction of commercial boreholes in every ward of each constituency.
These boreholes, funded through Constituency Development Fund (CDF), would provide crucial water support for agriculture projects and activities.
Additionally, Mr. Banda recommended increasing the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) to incentivize farmers to cultivate winter maize, both for local consumption and export.
He stressed the potential of generating much-needed foreign exchange through agricultural exports, which could contribute to stabilizing the national currency, the Kwacha.
Furthermore, Mr. Banda advocated for engagement with mining investors to allocate a significant portion of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to support agriculture projects in communities where they operate.
He cited Vedanta Resources Ltd’s allocation of US$20 million for CSR programs at Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) as an example, suggesting that channeling 40% of these funds into agriculture would be transformative.
Highlighting the need for collaboration between the government and mining companies, Mr. Banda called for similar investments from other mining entities such as Mopani and Mingomba mines on the Copperbelt.
He underscored the potential impact of utilizing resources from mining activities to bolster agriculture and alleviate poverty.
Mr. Banda also emphasized the importance of leveraging Zambia’s abundant natural resources, particularly in mining and agriculture, to achieve financial stability and reduce poverty levels in the country.
