<p></p><p>GOVERNMENT has provided a K5.5 million loan facility to Nandusu Multi-purpose Co-operative in Mongu for cultivation of cashew nuts in Western Province in a bid to promote crop diversification and enhance rural development.The project will create 3,000 jobs, according to the co-operative secretary general Moses Shimbilimbili.Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda, speaking here yesterday when he signed the loan agreement with the co-operative, said the loan is provided at one percent interest to make the project viable. <br></p> <p>Mr Chikwanda said cashew nuts are ideal crops as they circumvent the adversities of climate change and can be grown in all parts of the country.He noted that in terms of price, the crop is doing twice as good as copper on the international market, and that this will allow the country to get more foreign exchange earnings.“What does Zambia do after copper? This is the way to go. We are aware that with 500,000 tonnes going at US$10,000, we are looking at realising US$5 billion, which is more than what is acquired from copper,” Mr Chikwanda said.He said people should not look to Government to provide them with tools to create wealth, but rather should come up with ideas, and the governors will provide policy direction.Mr Chikwanda said Western Province has a lot of potential, which can be tapped in to reduce poverty, considering that the people in the area are hardworking and enterprising.He said the cashew nut project will have 40 percent women participation, but urged the co-operative to ensure that youths are also well-represented.“The province has hard working people. There is a lot of entrepreneurship in the area. Let us not moan that we are poor, we are not poor people. Government policy should not be to empower, but create conditions that will empower people,” Mr Chikwanda said.He said Government is committed to providing guidance on the economic diversification drive, hence the move to support such projects in the agriculture sector.Mr Chikwanda said Government intends to borrow US$45 million from the African Development Bank to spearhead implementation of other cashew nut projects across the country.He said the success of the Nandusu cashew nut project will be a model to other projects that will be rolled out across the country.And the Barotse Royal Establishment has urged Government to take keen interest in the project so that it becomes viable and benefits the locals.BRE representative Induna Mwimanenya said in the past, cashew nut projects have failed but that the establishment is committed to ensuring that this project succeeds because of its potential to empower the people and reduce poverty.<br></p><p></p>