36 Northern schools benefit from irrigation

A total of thirty-six schools spread across the Northern Province have been integrated into the ambitious Presidential Irrigation Initiative, marking a critical step forward in bridging the gap between theoretical education and practical vocational training in Zambia's learning institutions. The program, which forms part of a nationwide rollout targeting 350 schools—with thirty-five to thirty-six institutions selected per province—seeks to transform school grounds into hubs of modern, climate-resilient agricultural productivity and hands-on learning. Rolled out under the supervision of the Ministry of Education alongside key administrative bodies, the initiative is designed to address historical gaps in school production units. For decades, school agriculture in Zambia remained largely dependent on seasonal rainfall, leaving production vulnerable to prolonged dry spells and erratic weather patterns. By introducing sustainable irrigation infrastructure, the government is enabling schools in the Northern Province and beyond to engage in year-round farming, cultivating crops such as maize, vegetables, and horticultural produce to support feeding programs and generate institutional revenue. Education officials have emphasized that the intervention goes beyond food security, serving as a vital pedagogical tool under the competence-based curriculum. Learners are given direct exposure to modern water management, crop husbandry, and agricultural entrepreneurship. This early exposure aims to shift the mindset of young Zambians, encouraging them to view agriculture not merely as a subsistence chore, but as a viable, profitable commercial enterprise and a cornerstone of national economic development. The inclusion of Northern Province schools highlights the decentralized approach of the initiative, ensuring that rural and peri-urban institutions alike are equipped to handle climate shocks. As government financial backing and technical support continue to flow into school pr