NKOMBO KACHEMBA, Kitwe
KITWE district commissioner Chanda Kabwe has urged farmers to package their agricultural produce in an attractive manner for leading supermarkets to retail them.
During the launch of Mukuba mall in Kitwe recently, President Lungu directed supermarkets to also retail Zambian-grown agricultural produce and other local products.
Mr Kabwe said it is important for farmers to acquire skills in packaging to add value to their produce while Government is working to convince supermarkets to stock local products.
“Let us ensure that our goods are properly packaged. Things like dried vegetables should be packaged in nice decorated plastics. If you put them in ordinary plastics, they will start looking like traditional herbs,” Mr Kabwe said.
He said this on Saturday during the official opening of the Kitwe District Agriculture Show that was held under the theme:  “Diversifying agriculture to sustain the economy.”
Mr Kabwe also said Government will this year work tirelessly to ensure that farm inputs are delivered to farmers on time to enable them to effectively plan for the farming season.
He said Government has flagged off distribution of basal dressing fertiliser and that Kitwe is yet to receive its allocation.
Mr Kabwe also said Government will work on feeder roads in the peri-urban areas of Kitwe to facilitate the smooth transportation of agricultural produce.
He also advised farmers in Kitwe not to sell all their maize this year to avoid starvation.
And Kitwe district agriculture coordinator Raphael Muyaule said Government is encouraging farmers to rear indigenous chickens for them to make huge profits.
And Kitwe District Show Society chairperson Bernard Chisanga urged the farmers to work hard and diversify their agricultural activities to enhance national food security.