Veronica Mwiche
GOVERNMENT has flagged off the distribution of Food Security Packs to 4, 700 vulnerable but viable families in the Eastern Province.The Food Security Packs include 714.8 metric tonnes of fertiliser and legume seeds as well as over 17 metric tonnes of fertiliser to be distributed in the 14 districts.Provincial Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche flagged off the distribution of the seeds and fertiliser for the 2020/2021 farming season yesterday, saying the FSP programme will empower and reduce poverty levels among vulnerable households.“The Food Security Pack programme whose official handover launch we are witnessing today is such an important social protection intervention with an objective to empower the vulnerable households,” Ms Mwiche said.She said the agricultural inputs will improve the productivity, nutrition, food security and incomes for the vulnerable households to become self-sustaining.Each of the targeted 4,700 beneficiary households is entitled to receive the agricultural input pack composed of fertiliser, maize and legume seed for two consecutive seasons before they are weaned off and linked to other social protection programmes to get them out of extreme poverty.Ms Mwiche explained that Government is committed and passionate about the plight of the poor, as can been seen through early delivery of inputs.Provincial Community Development Officer Gift Makungu said the FSP, like other programmes under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare Services, is tailored to safeguard the interest, dignity and privileges of poor and vulnerable Zambians.He explained that other empowerment programmes intended to uplift the livelihoods of rural populations include supporting women’s livelihood and village bank, skills training and adult literacy and community self-help initiatives.Mr Makungu said 714.8 metric tonnes of fertiliser and 17 metric tonnes of seeds have been allocated to Eastern Province to benefit 4, 700 vulnerable but viable households to engage in agriculture activities.Speaking earlier when Ms Mwiche paid a courtesy at his palace, Chief Mishoro thanked Government for looking at the plight of the vulnerable households which he said was going to reduce poverty levels in his chiefdom.
The chief advised that the beneficiaries must also be advised against exchanging their inputs with beer or second hand clothes. – ZANIS.
