By Sylvia Zulu
Lunte Girls Stem School in Lunte District of Northern Province says it has produced over 300 bags of maize and 23 by 50 kg bags of beans through its production unit.

School Headteacher, Astridah Mapulanga, says the school also has a garden where it is cultivating different kinds of vegetables.

“We have cabbage, rape, and Chinese, and we also rear chickens, and these are just so we are able to feed the girls, even though it is not adequate.” She said.

She stated that the revamping of the production unit has seen the school give hands-on experience to girls who are acquiring different skills.

“Most of the girls acknowledge that they had never done such activities before, but through the production unit, we can tell they’re enjoying and acquiring the skill, and some wish to venture into agriculture.” Said Ms. Mapulanga.

Ms Mapulanga added that the production unit has also reduced the expense of the school on hiring local people to do some work.

“The only challenge that we have is how expensive the farming inputs are because, as a school, we intend on increasing productivity, but because of the high prices, it’s quite challenging.” She said.

She said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lunte District.

And Lunte District Commissioner, Joseph Chilando, has expressed happiness with the performance of production units in secondary schools in the district.

Mr Chilando said it is commendable that schools like Mulenga Mapesa Secondary also sold their maize from the production unit to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

He explained that the decision shows the potential of production units to contribute to food security.

“This shows that production units have the potential to contribute to the food security of the district and the country at large. At the same time, it is helping to impart skills to the learners.” Said Mr. Chilando.

He has encouraged all schools in the district to continue implementing the programme to increase production and emulate schools performing well.

Mukapa Kaoma Secondary School Headteacher, Bwisi Mulambya, said the school has managed to raise K28,000 from the vegetables under the production unit.

“So we intend to use the money to plant winter maize and other vegetables so that we can sustain the production unit and also continue teaching the learners about irrigation farming.” He said.

Mulenga Sekela, a pupil at Lunte Girls Stem School, said the pupils involvement in the production unit will help secure more maize for the schools and communities.

Eva Chanda, another pupil at Lunte Girls Stem School, said she has acquired agriculture skills through her involvement in production units.

ZANIS