Muchinga Province has marked a period of remarkable developmental progress, recording an 82.3% increase in maize production and securing a major climate resilience project, Provincial Permanent Secretary Rev. Mathews Chilekwa announced today.

Officially opening the Third Quarter Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting, Rev. Chilekwa stated that the province’s maize production surged to 296,000 metric tons in 2025, up from 162,000 metric tons the previous year. The area under maize cultivation also more than doubled, from 57,000 hectares in 2024 to 125,000 hectares in 2025.

“This great achievement, supported by three new functional mechanization centres in Mpika, Chinsali, and Isoka, positions us to contribute significantly to the national target of 10 million metric tons of maize by 2027,” the Permanent Secretary said.

In a major announcement for climate action, Rev. Chilekwa revealed that Government has secured a US$138 million grant from the World Bank and cooperating partners for the second phase of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD 2) project. Muchinga is one of five provinces selected to benefit from this initiative, set to commence in January 2026.

As part of TRALARD 2, Muchinga Province will also host a Jurisdictional Emissions Reduction Programme (ERP), making it only the second province in Zambia after Eastern Province to have such a programme. This initiative is designed to attract financing from carbon markets for reinvestment into landscape improvements. The project will be expanded to include the districts of Chinsali, Shiwang’andu, and Nakonde.

Reflecting on the successful Muchinga Investment Forum and Exposition 2025, Rev. Chilekwa called on all stakeholders to actualize the President’s declaration to make Muchinga the country’s next economic powerhouse. He urged committee members to provide tangible solutions to challenges and to work collaboratively towards an inclusive and shared future for all.

The PDCC meeting reviewed reports on the implementation of various development programmes across the province for the third quarter of 2025.