OLIVER SAMBOKO writes
FISH feed manufacturers in Siavonga has been advised to support local farmers by setting up out grower irrigation schemes for sorghum production, says council chairman James Simataa
Mr Simataa said recently his office held a meeting with some fish feed companies where he floated the idea of the need to promote out grower schemes in line with fish farming.
He said the setting up of an out grower irrigation scheme for people near the shores of Lake Kariba would greatly assist in alleviating the high poverty levels in the area.
Mr Simataa said mass growing of sorghum would not only put more money in the pockets of locals but would also help in improving the household food security considering that the crop was one of the major staple foods in the area.
He said Chief Simamba had a lot of land not far from the lake, which the feed companies could ask to setup out-grower scheme for sorghum production not only to empower the locals but also assure the company of uninterrupted supply of sorghum for the feedstock manufacturing
Meanwhile, Mr. Simataa has advised residents in the district to consider forming partnerships when applying for aquaculture farming loans being advertised by the Citizens economic empowerment Commission(CEEC).
He said applying as a group had more advantages than individual applicants.
“I have noticed that people are applying for CEEC loans as individuals. I think the better way is for them to apply as groups and partnerships. That way, their proposals stand better chance of being financed.
He further said in future, CEEC should consider engaging commercial banks to manage its loans for speedy be able to recoveries.
