By Isaac Zulu
About 172 hectares of maize fields have been submerged in water in Chibombo and Mumbwa districts in Central Province following the heavy rains experienced in the region in the past one week.
Confirming the development in an interview with Daily Revelation, Central Province permanent secretary Milner Mwanakampwe about 300 small scale farmers have been affected by the flash floods.
“As you are aware, Central Province has not been spared from the devastating effects that have been caused by the heavy rains that have characterised this rainy season, which has resulted in flash floods in many parts of the country. Among the districts that have been adversely affected by the flash floods in Central Province are Chibombo and Mumbwa,” explained Mwanakampwe. ”
Chikobo ward in Chief Liteta’s area has been affected and some farmers have had their crops destroyed. In senior Chief Shakumbila in Mumbwa district,
Kanzambwe area of Nalubanda has 62 farmers’ maize fields destroyed by the heavy rains.The assessment done so far shows that up to 172 hectares of maize fields have been submerged in water. About 300 farmers in Nalubanda camp in Mumbwa district have been affected. To cut the long story short, more than 300 small scale farmers have had their maize fields destroyed.”
Mwanakampwe has since appealed to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to come to the aid of the affected farmers in Central Province.
“I can only make a passionate appeal to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit national coordinator, comrade Dr Gabriel Pollen to come to the aid of our small scale farmers whose maize fields have been destroyed by the devastating effects of flash floods. I strongly feel that this is an emergency,” added Mwanakampwe.
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