The Small-Holder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (SAPP) is to construct a cassava bulking centre in Kasama at a cost of over K200,000 to enable small-scale farmers to access markets easily.
According to a Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) weekly brief availed to the media on Friday, small-scale farmers in Chief Nkolemfumu’s area in Kasama produce a lot of cassava but lack a ready market.
“The construction of the bulking centre will cost over K200,000 and very soon SAPP also intends to build similar structures in Mbala, Mungwi and Mpika districts,” ZNFU says.
Meanwhile, farmers on the Copperbelt have appealed to Government to begin promoting and supporting farmers engaged in the production of local vegetables on a large scale.
ZNFU says the production of local vegetables such as pumpkin, cassava and sweet potato leaves, which are normally grown during the rainy season, is on the increase as they are currently being grown under irrigation.
“Farmers are now growing these vegetables under irrigation in most parts of the Copperbelt and are said to be making more money than those who grow exotic vegetables as most people now prefer eating indigenous vegetables.
“The local chain stores, lodges and restaurants have provided another major market for these local vegetables,” ZNFU says.
