ZAF Begins Selling Chickens Following Mealie-Meal Initiative

TheZambia Air Forcehas expanded its agricultural activities by introducing poultry sales as part of efforts to contribute to national food security. The move follows a directive byHakainde Hichilemafor defence wings to increase agricultural production and support the country’s food basket. ZAF CommanderOscar Nyonilaunched the poultry consignment atZAF Headquarters, saying the initiative forms part of the military’s response to the Presidential directive.

Lt Gen Nyoni said personnel across the Air Force had embraced the directive and were already recording positive results in several agricultural ventures. “We heeded the Presidential directive for the Defence Wings to actively engage in agriculture in order to contribute to the national food basket,” he said. He explained that the Air Force is currently producingcrops, fish, beef and poultry, with the latest consignment of chickens being distributed to personnel as part of the programme.

“To motivate the personnel even more, we have given out some free chickens from the poultry production programme as appreciation for their effort and as a morale booster,” Lt Gen Nyoni said. He added that the poultry initiative is expected to improve household food security for officers and their families while strengthening morale within the service. Lt Gen Nyoni further stated that personnel will havepriority access to purchase the chickens on flexible termsbefore any surplus is released onto the market. The ZAF commander also thanked officers for supporting the agricultural programme and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to welfare initiatives and national development.