FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda has urged women involved in the growing of Jatropha seeds to ensure that the" magical" plant is grown throughout Zambia as it can help to cushion the diesel crisis in future.

And South African's first lady Nompumelelo Zuma has expressed interest to have the Jatropha plant women's project to be extended to her country because it was one best way of empowering women.The two first ladies said this yesterday after inspecting a Jatropha field on a conducted tour in Lusaka's Chongwe area and pledged to buy some seeds from the women.

Mrs Zuma said she would inform her government about the Jatropha women's project and make necessary arrangements to work with the Zambian project.

Mrs Banda said women throughout Zambia should be encouraged to grow Jatropha seed which would in turn help them to support their school- going children as well as provide food for their families.

Mrs Banda also advised women to be brave and apply for land from the Ministry of Lands and traditional rulers because the Government had indicated that 30 per cent of the land should be given to the women.

And some women from other provinces complained that they had difficulties in selling their seeds and money to start up the projects in their various districts.

The women said they also had problems in acquiring land due to their status because it was still perceived that women should access land through their husbands who in turn dictate what should be grown.They asked the first lady to buy the Jatropha seed from them in order to empower them financially.