Govt Injects US$49 Million into Nansanga Farm Block Development
Serenje District Commissioner, Mr. Paul Masuwa, has announced that the Zambian Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has allocated US$49 million for the Nansanga Commodity Value Chain Transformation Project (NCVCTP).
This substantial investment aims to propel the Nansanga Farm Block in Serenje towards becoming a key production hub in Zambia.
In a press statement issued by Oscar Malipenga, the Public Relations Officer for STC, Mr. Masuwa emphasized the significance of this investment during a disclosure meeting for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the proposed project.
He highlighted that last year alone, the government allocated K14.30 million for Nansanga Farm Block development and an additional K27.59 million for road infrastructure.
The NCVCTP is poised to generate employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, aligning with the government’s agenda on job creation.
Key infrastructure developments include roads, electricity provision, dam rehabilitation, communication towers, water reticulation systems enhancement, rural health center expansions, and support for local farmers.
The Nansanga Farm Block, boasting approximately 150,000 hectares of land, is earmarked by the government for commercial agricultural development and agro-processing.
Some notable activities under the NCVCTP include vegetation clearing, land preparation for rain-fed production of crops like soya beans, maize, and cassava, as well as road rehabilitation, dam restoration, and construction of essential community facilities.
Specific initiatives within the project scope include:
- Clearing, leveling, and land preparation for 3,500 hectares for 350 beneficiaries.
- Rehabilitation of 80 kilometers of existing road infrastructure within the Nansanga Farm Block.
- Rehabilitation of the Musangashi Dam and construction of a water canal.
- Upgrading of primary schools and rural health posts within the farm block.
- Construction of agricultural camps and farm block management trust houses.
This significant injection of funds underscores the government’s commitment to agricultural development and rural transformation. Mr. Masuwa emphasized that the NCVCTP would not only enhance agricultural productivity but also improve infrastructure and social services, thereby uplifting the livelihoods of residents in Serenje’s Nansanga Farm Block.
