By Hannock Kasama
Defence Minister AMBROSE LUFUMA says Government is seeking to transform the Zambia National Service –ZNS- into a model of agro-industrial excellence in Africa.
Mr. LUFUMA has directed ZNS to deepen agricultural mechanisation and expand irrigation systems in order to realise its benchmark goal of becoming a leading agro-industrial institution.
He has further instructed the Service to scale up value addition to its agricultural produce and increase export quotas as part of efforts to enhance productivity and revenue generation. 
Meanwhile, Mr. LUFUMA says Government will expand voluntary Zambia National Service training among youths across all regions of the country.
He explains that intake levels will be increased, with a deliberate focus on school leavers, vulnerable youths and those without formal employment.
The Minister was speaking in LUSAKA last night during the ZNS Senior Officers Annual Ball.
At the same event, ZNS Commander Lieutenant General MALITI SOLOCHI revealed that the Service produced over seven thousand metric tonnes of maize and more than two thousand metric tonnes of wheat during the 2024 – 2025 farming season.
General SOLOCHI also disclosed that ZNS has secured four ranches and three aquaculture service centres following a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in October 2025.
Meanwhile, ZNS Mess Committee President Brigadier General MWANAMAKWA SAMANYAMA called on officers to uphold unity and peaceful co-existence to effectively address operational challenges.
