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The Ministry of Community Development in Mungwi District in Northern Province has distributed farming inputs to 1100 beneficiaries under the wetland component of the Food Security Pack programme. The Inputs have been given to eleven Community Welfare Assistance Committees. Speaking when he flagged off the distribution, Mungwi District Commissioner Muma Musonda in a speech read for him by District Administrative Officer Remmy Kawimbe said the program is meant to support vulnerable communities. “This programme is one of the social protection policies that government is implementing, it is aimed at ultimately reducing vulnerability and poverty targeting the vulnerable but viable farmers,” he said. “This will enable you to become self-sustainable and encourage community participation in food security,” he added. He revealed that the new beneficiaries will each receive one by 50kg Urea fertilizer, one by 50kg D compound and a 5kg bag of medium maturity or vegetables seeds including pesticides and lime. Mr Musonda has cautioned beneficiaries not to sell the inputs adding that if found doing so, they will be dealt with by the law. “Let me also echo the sentiments by the speakers that they will not take kindly anyone caught abusing the program,” Ms Muma warned. The District Commissioner thanked government for the commitment it has continued to show towards uplifting the welfare of vulnerable but viable households in the district And speaking earlier, Mungwi District Community Development Officer Sara Banda challenged the beneficiaries to utilise the knowledge gained from the training in precision farming before empowering them with farming inputs. Ms Banda said the department managed to enroll 1100 new members from 11 Community Welfare Assistance Committees using the new model system. Ms Banda encouraged the beneficiaries under the programme to pay back the required percentage for the program to continue empowering more people on the programme. And one of the beneficiary Oscar Mwanza thanked government for enrolling him on the program. Mr Mwanza explained that the move will go a long way in improving household food security and ultimately reduce poverty in many households in Kananda zone. He also called on other beneficiaries to have a sense of ownership and use the inputs for the intended purpose of increasing food at household level. Meanwhile, Mary Muma also thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for his commitment to improve the welfare of vulnerable people in Mungwi district. Ms Muma assured government that she will grow the winter maize and ensure to secure enough stock for the family and sale the surplus to enable her repay the 10 percent and support the family.