The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Hon. Elias Mubanga, visited Nakonde District in Muchinga Province to inspect a 50-acre rice farm supported by the ministry. The farm is expected to produce 200 metric tons of rice.
During his visit, the Minister noted that Nakonde is recognized for its rice production, with 70% of the rice grown sourced from neighboring countries. This highlights the ministry’s commitment to empowering local farmers to make the most of the favorable rainfall patterns in the area.
The Ministry has recognized the potential in the considerable number of entrepreneurs in Nakonde, as well as those from outside the area who come to trade there. The Ministry aims to focus on empowering local residents to address the economic challenges faced in the area.
In collaboration with the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), the ministry will soon launch a nationwide empowerment program aimed at providing machinery for all small-scale farmers by empowering them with three-wheeled tractors.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the community of Nakonde for their positive response to the President’s call to return to farming, noting that this has led to expectations of a significant bumper harvest.
He assured local cooperatives that the government, in partnership with local authorities, will prioritize the establishment of a rice processing plant and the creation of water harvesting facilities, such as dams, to capture and utilize the abundant rainfall in the region.
The director of hilda Paul and Sali Rice Nakonde (SRN) Mr. Sieme encouraged the community regarding the process of obtaining a CEEC empowerment loan. He emphasized that securing a CEEC loan does not require personal connections; instead, a well-structured business plan is necessary to persuade the ministry to provide funding.
Provincial Minister Hon. Njavia Simutowe expressed appreciation to President Hakainde Hichilema for focusing on improving the lives of the people through initiatives designed to address the economic challenges faced by the country.
Credit :UPND MEDIA