The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services(MCDSS), in partnership with Build Zambia Twenty Sixty Four(BZ64), has launched a training program on Precision Farming to enhance maize production.

The initiative aims to equip officers from the Ministry and agriculture extension staff with the necessary skills to train farmers in their respective districts.

The training covered key aspects of precision farming such as land selection and preparation, input application in terms of quality, quantity, and timeliness.

Other aspects included crop management, agronomic practices and harvest and post-harvest handling.

The programme supports the government’s goal to produce maize throughout the year and contribute to achieving 10 million metric tonnes of maize by 2027.

Ministry’s Chief Community Development Officer, Mr. Aaron Phiri led the training of staff from the Copperbelt and North-Western Province, held in Kitwe.

Mr. Phiri said the programme was important as it supports government’s call to produce maize throughout the year and would eventually contribute to the attaining of producing ten million metric tonnes of maize annually, by 2027.

He emphasized the need for farmers to embrace new farming techniques which would inturn result into household and national food security.

Build Zambia Twenty Sixty Four’s General Manager, Dr. Jiji Cheelo, urged trainers and farmers to adopt a mindset change and embrace new farming techniques to improve productivity.

The collaboration between the Ministry and Build Zambia Twenty Sixty Four is expected to have a positive impact on maize production, enhancing food security and contributing to the country’s economic development.

Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia
Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia