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ZNFU urges MPs to support irrigation
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has urged Members of Parliament to prioritize implementation of irrigation schemes countrywide to enable farmers expand production of major crops and reduce poverty at household level.
ZNFU President Jervis Zimba has observed that previous efforts by government to expand irrigation in Zambia failed largely due to lack of proper monitoring framework and weak accountability measures.
Mr. Zimba has indicated that most budget pronouncements made in parliament regarding irrigation development lack concrete detail such as the hectarage required to be put under irrigation per year.
He points out that as a result of lack of such measurable details, it is easy for funds to be misapplied and used in other areas that do not relate to irrigation.
The ZNFU President is urging Members of Parliament to ensure that government budget allocation to irrigation projects in the country is fast tracked.
He explains that proper targeting of irrigation funding to the sector will stimulate increased production through improved investment drive by agribusiness players.