MORE than 1,000 new jobs are earmarked to be created in Central Province, through the establishment of 10 plants in Serenje District by the end of this year.
Central Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa said a further 8,000 jobs were going to be created through the expansion of the marigold farming industry in Chibombo District.
Contributing to a motion of thanks on President Hakainde Hichilema’s speech at the official opening of the Second session of the 13th National Assembly in Parliament yesterday, Mr Nanjuwa said the new mining jobs were as a result of Government addressing issues of illegal mining in the province.
“Since taking over office one year ago, the Government has managed to control issues of illegal mining for gold and manganese in Mumbwa, Chibombo, Mkushi, Chisamba and Kapiri-Mposhi districts,” Mr Nanjuwa said.
He said the agriculture sector had remained the province’s torchbearer with an illustrious legacy of large-scale wheat and maize production.
Mr Nanjuwa said 8,000 small scale farmers were earmarked to be linked to production activities under the Mwomboshi Dam in Chisamba District.
He said the dam had also benefitted 11 commercial farmers who had been able to increase their farmland area from 1,000 to 3,600 hectares.
Meanwhile, in a separate debate on the motion, Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri said all the farmers that have supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency in the ongoing crop marketing season, have been paid by the Government.
Mr. Phiri also disclosed that the World Bank had given Zambia US$300 million to support agricultural expansion programmes in the country.
