686 farmers in Lusaka Province have received empowerment loans amounting to K90.9 Million Kwacha under the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF)
Lusaka Province Principal Public Relations Officer, Logic Lukwanda disclosed this in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka.
Mr Lukwanda said 196 farmers from Chilanga district received a total of K24.6 Million while 232 farmers from Chongwe district got a total of K42.7 million. 105 farmers from Kafue district received K9.4 Million.
He further said 104 farmers in Lusaka district received a total of K 8.3 Million while 104 farmers in Rufunsa district got K5.6 Million.
Mr Lukwanda disclosed that six farmers in Luangwa district got K160,000.
He explained that the SAFF is a market based initiative which is tailor made to finance small and medium scale farmers who have limited access to affordable financing.
“President Hakainde Hichilema upon launching the SAFF initiative in 2023/2024 farming season emphasised that this initiative is designed to accord small and medium scale farmers access to affordable agriculture loans through a credit window,” he said.
Mr Lukwanda said small and medium scale farmers play a critical role in the country’s agriculture sector hence the government is determined to ensure they are empowered to ensure the President’s aspiration is actualized.
He reiterated that the government will continue to ensure that progressive initiatives such as SAFF realize their intended impact on citizens who contribute to food security and the economic wellbeing of the country.
