11m Euro conservation farming project launched #zambia

More than 300,000 farmers are expected to benefit from the Government launch of the 11 million Euros Scaling Up programme(CASU), aimed at enhancing food production across the country. The European Union (EU) funded 2013-2017 programme, to be implemented in 31 districts, will also help to improve conservation farming in Zambia. Head of the European Union Delegation to Zambia Gilles Hervio said CASU aims at scaling up conservation agriculture in the selected districts of the country and contribute to high food production. Mr Hervio said more than 21,000 lead farmers and 315,000 follower farmers would benefit and this would contribute to the increase of crop productivity in the selected parts of the country. "Within the conservation package, agro forestry and land management practices will be promoted to improve environmental sustainability and climate resilience," he said. Agriculture Minister Robert Sichinga said Government would make sure that every single farmer practices conservation farming and directed technocrats in his ministry to implement the project in two years time, instead of the stipulated four years. "There is need for us in the ministry to move fast and implement the project, I want it to be implemented in two years," he said. Mr Sichinga threatened to reorganise the ministry if policies were not moving at a faster pace. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) country representative George Okech said the main role of FAO in the project would be to ensure overall project management reporting and as well as, smooth operation of the project. "Success of the CASU project will require that all partners and stakeholders involved in implementation of the project remain steadfast and continue to work hard in order to improve agriculture in the country," he said.