The government has pledged to support initiatives that foster the promotion of food security through sustainable food systems.

Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba has observed how economic, social and environmental factors have continued to threaten the promotion of food systems.

Speaking during the launch of the Urban Futures project, which recognizes the urgency of addressing climate challenges in the rapidly urbanizing world, Ms. Mwamba said, government therefore welcomes the four-year project to be implemented in Kitwe and Chongwe for the development of urban food systems and mitigation of effects of climate change.

The initiative will be implemented by Hivos Southern Africa, in partnership with the Botnar and other partners which include, cuts international and CHEP and global network.

“This will in turn create green jobs through the promotion of youth enterprises along the food systems value chain”, Ms. Mwamba said, in a speech read on her behalf by the ministry Director for planning, Mr Patrick Choolwe.

She said Government is aware that the two cities face several challenges compounded by many factors which include, among others, poor access to information, poor road infrastructure, high poverty levels, low literacy levels, over-exploitation of natural resources, and poor access to safe water and sanitation facilities.

Ms. Mwamba who reiterated Governments commitment to enhancing the provision of social protection programmes said it is therefore gratifying that this project is one of the transformative initiatives aimed at addressing the complex challenges posed by urbanization, climate change, and youth unemployment in the country and two cities, in particular

And Hivos Southern Africa, regional director Ms. Nana Zulu, encouraged youths to take ownership of the projects, emphasising that they are agents of change, who are unfortunately affected by so many issues.

Meanwhile, Kitwe Mayor, Ms. Mpasa Mwaya, and her Chongwe counterpart, Mr Christopher Habeenzu, acknowledged that urbanization has negatively affected food systems and therefore appreciated the initiative which they feel will bring positive change in the two towns respectively.