By MILDRED
KATONGO –
LUANSHYA Mayor Gordon Siwale has urged residents to be industrious and support new measures which are aimed at promoting agriculture in the urban set up.
Mr Siwale said in his New Year message that residents should change their mindset, be hard working and engage in urban agriculture to reduce overdependence on mining activities.
Mr Siwale said the local authority was in the process of identifying small pieces of land in the water logged areas which would be leased to residents who were interested in agricultural activities like growing vegetables.
He said this year, people must work hard and support the measures being taken by the Luanshya Municipal Council to promote urban agriculture.
“This year we want people to change their mindset and engage in agriculture to reduce overdependence on copper,” Mr Siwale said.
He said this would promote diversification of the economy in the area and reduce dependence on copper.
Mr Siwale said for a long time, Luanshya had been depending on copper and that it was time to reduce the dependence on the commodity.
He also said the council would soon identify land for more than 1,000 Luanshya miners who would be involved in farming.
Mr Siwale said getting involved in agricultural activities would help promote diversification and help the district become food secure.
