07/08/2026
GOVT EXPANDS SMART IRRIGATION TO BOOST PRODUCTION IN RESETTLEMENT SCHEMES.
The Office of the Vice President, through the Division of Resettlement Schemes, has reaffirmed Government's commitment to improving livelihoods in resettlement communities by expanding access to water for irrigation and supporting community-driven agricultural development.
Speaking during the handover of a newly mechanised borehole at Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme in Chongwe District, Director of Resettlement, in the Office of the Vice President Cooper Chibomba, said the intervention was anchored in the Presidential Irrigation Programme being championed by President Hakainde Hichilema to transform Zambia's agricultural sector and increase national food production.
Mr. Chibomba said the Presidential Irrigation Programme is targeting the production of 10 million metric tonnes of maize and 3 million metric tonnes of soybeans by 2031, adding that achieving these targets will depend largely on ensuring that farmers have reliable access to water for irrigation.
He said the provision of water through smart irrigation technologies was therefore critical to unlocking the productive potential of resettlement schemes, particularly by enabling farmers to move away from dependence on rain-fed agriculture and increase the frequency and scale of production.
“The success of the Presidential Irrigation Programme depends on making water available for agricultural production. This is why we are investing in smart technologies such as boreholes and irrigation systems that can provide a reliable source of water to our farmers,” Mr. Chibomba said.
He said the Resettlement Programme was positioning farmers in resettlement schemes to take advantage of emerging markets, particularly for soybeans, which have significant potential to contribute to household incomes, national exports and economic growth.
Mr. Chibomba noted that China has expressed interest in purchasing up to 2 million metric tonnes of soybeans from Zambia, saying the Resettlement Programme views this potential market as an important opportunity to provide farmers in resettlement schemes with a ready and sustainable market for their produce.
He said the focus was therefore not only on increasing production, but also on creating an integrated agricultural value chain that connects farmers to water, inputs, technology, markets and value addition.
Mr. Chibomba said the Government would continue implementing complementary development interventions across resettlement schemes while working with traditional and community leaders to identify priority needs and ensure that investments respond to the aspirations of local communities.
He said access to reliable water would also contribute to broader improvements in the quality of life within resettlement communities by supporting domestic water needs and other productive activities.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the community, Kanakantapa B Village Coordinator Liswani Tawila expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema’s Government for the continued support being provided to the community, particularly through the irrigation initiative and other agricultural development programmes.
Mr. Tawila said the provision of the borehole would contribute significantly to agricultural production and improve the welfare of households in the resettlement scheme.
He, however, appealed for additional development interventions, including the provision of running water and flushable toilets for households, saying such investments would complement the agricultural interventions and significantly improve living standards in Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme.
Mr. Chibomba stressed that under President Hakainde Hichilema's leadership, the division would continue working with communities and development partners to expand access to productive infrastructure and services, as the Government seeks to transform resettlement schemes into productive, sustainable, and economically vibrant communities.