NKOMBO KACHEMBA, Mufulira
GOVERNMENT has started constructing four dip tanks in Mufulira at a cost of K600,000 in a bid to combat livestock diseases in the district.
The population of cattle in Mufulira has increased to over 3,500.
Mufulira district agriculture coordinator Thomas Mukubwe said in an interview that works on the four dip tanks have started and are progressing well.
“We have four dip tanks here in Mufulira which are under construction. It is the first time that this area will be having dip tanks. This is a milestone in combating livestock diseases in the area. Our livestock farmers will be able to prevent tick-borne disease,” he said.
Mr Mukubwe said once the dip tanks are completed, farmers in Mufulira will be able to dip their animals within the district.
He is optimistic that once the dip tanks are completed, the population of cattle will increase in Mufulira because more people will be willing to engage in livestock farming.
Government is constructing a dam across Murundu stream in Mufulira at a cost of K225,000 for irrigation purposes.
once the dam is completed, farmers will be able to grow crops such as vegetables throughout the year.
Mr Mukubwe is also happy with the increase in the number of people engaging in agriculture due to sound policies that Government is implementing in the sector.
He said Mufulira has continued to record maize bumper harvests due to the timely distribution of farm inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Mr Mukubwe also said Government is encouraging farmers to engage in large-scale production of sorghum and groundnuts  in line with its policy on crop diversification.