The Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility has taken a major step towards agricultural self-sufficiency with the installation of a modern centre pivot irrigation and reticulation system at its old Wenela farm.

A land of 70 hectares was prepared for ploughing last year, which produced a yield of only two tonnes of maize, a major loss due to reliance on rainwater only.

The installation of the new system is expected to improve the yields.

The officer in charge of Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility, John Kambimbi, stated that installation of pivots has already begun.

"We are going to have a coverage of 120 hectares which will be under this irrigation system, for which we are going to use the pivots, and also we are connecting these pipes from the river; as you can see, these are new PVC pipes."

The installation process is expected to be completed by the end of February.

A storage facility is also being constructed in preparation for future produce.

Deputy Commissioner Kambimbi noted that despite having surpassed the maize ploughing window, they will focus on other crops for the year.

"Our intention is that once we are done with the installation of the pivots, what we are going to do is that in May, we are planning to plough wheat; therefore, there will be wheat here because that will be the season for wheat. Therefore, we are going to try the land with wheat because the installation process will take two months."

The project is expected to significantly boost food production while enhancing inmate rehabilitation through skills development.

The produce will benefit the entire country and will also create job opportunities and boost economic activities.