Serenje DC calls for unity to boost Agriculture

Serenje District Commissioner Ellen Mibenge has made a passionate appeal to agricultural stakeholders in the district to forge a united front in order to fully unlock the region's vast farming potential. Emphasizing that grassroots collaboration is critical, Ms. Mibenge noted that local efforts must align directly with the national Grow Zambia Agenda, which seeks to decentralize economic activity and stimulate productivity across Zambia's provinces, regions, and districts. Her remarks underline the pivotal role that Central Province and districts like Serenje are expected to play in achieving national economic targets, food security, and sustainable job creation. The call for unity comes at a time when the government, through initiatives championed by the Presidential Delivery Unit and provincial structures, is pushing to transition from mere macroeconomic stability to aggressive productivity growth. Central Province possesses immense arable land and favorable climatic conditions, making it an ideal hub for large-scale crop production, livestock development, and agricultural value addition. However, district leaders have frequently pointed out that fragmented efforts among smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and commercial entities have historically limited the region's overall output and slowed down rural development. Addressing various stakeholders, Ms. Mibenge urged farmers, traditional leaders, and private sector partners to break down operational silos and share resources, knowledge, and modern farming techniques. She stressed that cooperation is essential for maximizing the benefits of government interventions, such as enhanced extension services, subsidized inputs, and decentralized financing models like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). By streamlining cooperation at the local council level, Serenje aims to position itself as a major agricultural contributor rather than relying solely on subsistence methods, thereby directly feeding into the broader