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President Hakainde Hichilema has directed that duty and all taxes be removed on agriculture, irrigation and music equipment in the face of drought.
Hichilema said this should be done under the revised 2024 national budget as a way of supporting farmers and musicians in the country who have been adversely affected.
The President gave the directive when he led hundreds of youths in Chipata District of Eastern Province to commemorate this year’s youth day, celebrated under the theme ” Zambia at 60 #be the change.”
He stated that the move to remove duty and taxes on agricultural, irrigation and music equipment was meant to support more people to venture in such sectors.
“When the President speaks its a decree, have you heard, you youths in agriculture and musicians we are going to give you more support so that you can thrive in this industry by removing duty, taxes, I don’t want to hear the issues of taxes,” Hichilema said.
The President also called on youths in the country to avoid engaging in illicit activities such as drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption among others.
He noted that such vices had continued to delay their progress in areas such as education despite government introducing the free education policy.
“Government introduced free education so that all young people regardless of the region they are coming from has access to education, a decision which was opposed in certain quotas of society,” Hichilema said.
He said government had introduced several skills in the tertiary and would soon introduce the same skills in the agriculture sector going forward.
The Head of State indicated that government would support irrigation activities, water harvesting after the 2024 national budget is adjusted to support several activities.
“We don’t want expensive vehicles hence the decision to channel more resources to supporting irrigation activities in the country,” Hichilema said.
Read More: President Hichilema calls for amendment of laws limiting growth in agriculture sector
He also disclosed that government was working on a scheme with financial institutions which would help farmers who have loans and ensure that their equipment such as sloughs are not taken away from them.
He further called on traditional leaders to continue uniting their subjects as it was the surest way of bringing development to the country.
Ealier, a youth representative, Alesha Banda, called on government to address issues such as teenage pregnancies, poor road network, inadequate resources to support the youths among other challenges.
“We pledge to be the youths this country needs and be champions of development as government addresses these issues,” Banda stated.
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