The Petauke District technical team has commenced a crucial orientation exercise for all successful Constituency Development Fund (CDF) grant beneficiaries across various wards. The initiative is designed to prepare recipients for the disbursement process while equipping them with essential technical and managerial skills to ensure project success.
The exercise ensures that beneficiaries understand the approved grant amounts and any necessary adjustments if the funding differs from initial requests. Participants are receiving sector-specific technical guidance, including support in livestock, agriculture, and cooperatives. Additionally, they are being guided on governance, documentation, and financial management requirements.
Groups are being advised to revise their budgets using the provided templates, based on the actual amounts allocated. Projects deemed unviable due to reduced funding may apply for changes, subject to approval.
Women-led groups with male leaders are being encouraged to restructure their leadership to align with gender guidelines. Similarly, youth groups led by individuals who do not meet the youth criteria are being advised to make necessary adjustments.
All groups have been instructed to secure lease agreements for projects hosted on private property such as poultry houses, sheds, and gardens. Templates for meeting minutes, cash books, and financial records have been provided to standardize documentation.
Ms. Sonia Mulenga and Ms. Monica Tembo trained the groups on proper record keeping and minute writing. They emphasized the importance of creating well-documented expenditure budgets that align with available funding, which in turn promotes transparency and accountability in financial management.
Mr. Dankwa Haminjo, from the Department of Agriculture, conducted training sessions on crop selection, soil fertility, and pest control. Ms. Besnart Banda, from the Department of Fisheries and Livestock, trained cooperatives on best practices for poultry, goat rearing, and piggery including cost management and sustainability.
The team further advised cooperatives whose projects cannot be implemented with the limited funds to apply for project change. However, groups involved in livestock and agriculture projects were encouraged to maintain their original plans. Beneficiaries were urged to use the funds prudently and strictly for the intended purposes.
The orientation included detailed technical support from the Department of Fisheries and Livestock. Beneficiaries received step-by-step guidance on poultry, goat rearing, and piggery, including how to align project plans with their allocated funding. Alternative budgeting options were also provided. Groups pursuing agricultural ventures such as gardening received guidance on soil fertility enhancement, appropriate pesticide use, and recommendations on the most suitable crops to plant.
In Kaumbwe Constituency, all 250 groups are set to receive K9,965.16 each. In Petauke Central Constituency, 171 groups have been allocated K13,647.36 each, while 13 groups will receive K11,169.36.
Ms. Banda, a Livestock Officer, emphasized:
“We’re ensuring groups align their budgets with reality and adopt sustainable practices. For instance, poultry projects must secure leased facilities to safeguard their investments.”
The Acting Director of Planning, Mr. Mwansa, added:
“Prudent fund use is non-negotiable. Groups must document every transaction and seek approval for any project modifications.”
