Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
FRIDAY BRIEF
WEEK 13, 2016
THIS Week’s Highlights……….
AGRICULTURE MINISTER HAPPY WITH E-VOUCHER SUCCESS
FARMERS APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT TO REHABILITATE DAMS
CENTRE FOR TRADE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT CONDUCTS MAIZE
MARKET RESEARCH
..... SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW……
INDUSTRY UPDATES
AGRICULTURE MINISTER HAPPY WITH E-VOUCHER SUCCESS Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Given Lubinda, MP, has said that he is very happy with the success
of the e-voucher system during the current farming season when the system was piloted in 13 districts.
The Minister said this during the SeedCo annual field day held on 22nd March, 2016 in Lusaka West.
Honourable Lubinda said the e-voucher system had scored a number of positives, among them the
reduction of government expenditure on the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP). He said due to the
use of the e-voucher on the FISP, about 20,000 ghost farmers were identified and scrapped off in the
13 pilot districts. The minister further added that e-voucher system had also given farmers the freedom
to choose what to plant as well as the option of buying livestock and livestock drugs.
The minister also said that cabinet had approved to extend the coverage of the e-voucher system
beyond the pilot 13 districts in the 2016/17 farming season, with the other additional districts to be
announced soon.
FARMERS APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT TO REHABILITATE DAMS Farmers in Chipata district have asked the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock
to rehabilitate community dams which have been damaged due to silting and lack of maintenance. The
farmers said that, with the current poor rainfall pertain experienced in the district and throughout the
country, there was need for the government to help farmers rehabilitate community dams that have
collapsed so that farmers can diversify to livestock farming and horticulture. This came to light during a
District Public Dialogue meeting organized by Chipata District Farmers Association under the good
governance program with support from the Finnish Embassy held in Chipata on 22nd March 2016.
The meeting was attended by the District Administrative Officer (DAO) who represented the DC and
over 70 farmers and stakeholders.
CENTRE FOR TRADE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT CONDUCTS MAIZE MARKET
RESEARCH The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) is currently conducting a research on participation
of the private sector in input supply and maize grain marketing in Monze. The purpose of the research
is to ascertain the viability of private sector to drive the market links in the agriculture sector, particularly
maize grain. The research team pinpointed the dominance of Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in maize
marketing as the driving factor for conducting the maize market research.
The findings of the research will be used to develop policies that would aid to widen the marketing of
maize grain through the involvement of the private sector, which will subsequently help small scale
farmers to have a wider market base to sell the maize commodity.
*****************************************************************
ALERTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZAMBIAN FARMER TV PROGRAMME
Don’t miss next week’s episode of the Zambian Farmer TV programme presenting “Vegetable Farming
Focusing on Tomato and Cabbage.’’
The ‘’Zambian Farmer” is a ZNFU sponsored programme which is aired every Monday at 18:25hrs and
repeated on Thursdays at 12:30 hrs on the ZAMBIA National Broadcaster Corporation, ZNBC TV1. You can
also buy DVDs of your favourite Zambian Farmer TV program episodes from the ZNFU Head Office or you
can make an order through your respective DFA office
AGRICULTURAL HOLIDAYS i. New Year’s Day – 1st January
ii. Women’s Day – 8th March
iii. Good Friday
iv. Labour Day – 1st May
v. African Freedom Day
vi. Heroes Day – First Monday in July
vii. Unity Day – first Tuesday in July
viii. Farmers Day – First Monday in August
ix. Independence Day 24th October
x. Christmas Day – 25th December
LIQUID NITROGEN FOR SALE AT BREEDING IMPULS ZAMBIA "Breeding Impuls Zambia would hereby like to inform you that it now has Liquid Nitrogen available from
its premises in the Agricultural and Commercial Society Zambia grounds. Our address is Fens Investment
Building, Lusaka Show grounds, Cattle section.
FARMS FOR SALE/LEASE
Land for long-term lease available in Miengwe, Ndola Rural. One kilometre from the Great North
Road on the road leading to Chief Nkambo’s Palace/Teka Farm. Up to 20 hectares to be leased.
Contact Nancy Mubanga 0966457674/0955457674 or e-mail [email protected],
1,000 acres Farm in Kapiri/Mkushi on sale or long lease. Four Kilometres from Great North Road,
1KM from ZESCO grid, 4km from Tazara Railway. Farm on a 99-year Government lease. Farm is
bordered by two rivers on either side. 300 acres cleared. A unique deal offer. Call 0955424201 or
e-mail [email protected]
***********************************************************************************************************
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
EASTERN B REGION
PETAUKE DC URGES FARMERS TO BE CHANGE AGENTS OF CONSERVATION
AGRICULTURE The District Commissioner for Petauke, Ms. Velenasi B. Moyo, has called on Petauke farmers to be
leading examples and crusaders in adopting conservation agriculture technologies.
Speaking during a field day on 23rd March 2016 organized by CFU and hosted by Kapanda Information
Centre, the DC stressed the need for farmers to completely shift from their old farming practices to
adopting conservation farming if they were to remain relevant in their farming business. The DC further
mentioned that conservation farming had proved to be the best option even amidst the challenges of
erratic and unpredictable rainfall pattern, poor crop emergence, wilting and crop stress due to
prolonged dry spells.
The theme for this year’s field days is “Conservation farming for high yields, food security and income in
a changing climate.”
DAPP/IITA CONDUCTS A MIDSEASON EVALUATION ON DEMO PLOTS Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) in conjunction with the International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have held a field evaluation exercise in their demonstration plots under the
integrated soil fertility management technologies project. The project, which is being implemented in
Petauke and Katete districts, is undergoing mid-season evaluation on the agronomical practices in soya
beans and maize value chain. The soya beans and Maize demo plots had different treatments such as
lime, manure, inoculant and fertilizers applied in them at varying rates. The major objective of the demo
plots is to ascertain the cost benefit analysis by the end of the season, so as to show the farmers how
best they can make profits from their farming business.
GOVERNMENT OFFLOADS RELIEF MAIZE IN KATETE The Government of Zambia, through the office of the Vice President under the Disaster Management
and Mitigation Unit (DDMU) has started offloading relief maize to residents of Mkaika and Milanzi
constituencies in Katete district. Over 8,400 households have been identified to benefit from the relief
maize. This came to light when the ZNFU Credit and Marketing Facilitator for Katete shared notes with
the Katete District Commissioner, Mr. Makukula.
The DC further informed ZNFU that he had requested government through FRA to increase the
allocation of community maize sales by about 600 by 50kg bags in order to cushion the ever increasing
mealie meal prices in the district.
SOUTHERN A REGION
ASSESSMENT OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPENT MATCHING GRANT APPLICATIONS
COMPLETED The Southern Province Livestock Development and Animal Health Project (LDAHP) Matching Grants
Committee, of which ZNFU is a member, convened in Livingstone and ultimately completed the exercise
of assessing the second matching grants application forms. It was encouraging to learn that all the 13
districts in the province recorded potential recipients participating on the program. A total of 402
applications were assessed. However, the final assessment and selection is yet to be concluded by the
National Steering Committee. Of the three matching grants facilities; the livestock improvement grant
facility which has different types of packages recorded more applicants, followed by the pasture
management and forage development grant facility and the least was the grant for strengthening
capacities of non-public service providers.
Having gone through a systematic assessment process and proven the creativity contained in some
viable proposals of business minded farmers, it cannot therefore be disputed that the livestock sector
is a bit unexploited and should indeed be recognized as an increasingly dynamic part of the agricultural
economy.
SOUTHERN PROVINCE SHOW PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY Preparations for the 2016 Southern Province Agricultural and Commercial Show (SPACS) are underway.
The show will take place from 6th to 8th July 2016 in Choma district under the theme ’Managing the
Environment for Growth’. The Ministry of Agriculture, in consultation with other key stakeholders,
decided that this year’s provincial show that was previously held in Livingstone in combination with the
Tourism Show be separated due to a number of reasons. A progress report on preparations made so
far was presented at the provincial show consultative meeting held during the week at the ZNFU
regional office. The highlights gave the meeting an idea of positive developments that have taken place,
which included; the securing the Agriculture Service Centre which will be the venue for the event. This
excited stakeholders, who visited the new site soon after the meeting and commended the ZNFU
management for authorising the use of venue. The next meeting scheduled for 6th April 2016 will also
be attended by head of member services and agribusiness unit, Mr. Coillard Hamusimbi, who is expected
to give further guidance regarding the use of venue.
NORTH WESTERN A REGION
SOLWEZI DACO CAUTIONS EXTENSION OFFICERS OVER FARMER REGISTRATION The District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO) for Solwezi, Muyobo Shimabale, has cautioned Agriculture
Camp Extension Officers in the district to take the farmer registration exercise seriously. Mr. Shimabale
revealed this to ZNFU during the course of the week. He said he has appealed to all Agriculture Camp
Extension Officers to collect full details of the farmers to avoid mistakes following the introduction of
the Electronic Voucher System on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for 2016/17 farming
season.
Meanwhile the imminent introduction of the e-voucher system has excited a lot of framers. The farmers
have said that the e-voucher system will provide timely collection of farming inputs which will
subsequently result into timely planting and better crop yields.
KANSANSHI FOUNDATION CONDUCTS CONSERVATION FARMING FIELD DAY Kansanshi Foundation this week on 23rd March, 2016 conducted a conservation farming field day at
Mushitala in Solwezi. The field day adds to the many support areas rendered by Kansanshi Foundation
to the agriculture industry. The field day was aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt conversation
farming as a way of eradicating poverty at household level and contributing to the national food basket
using natural resources.
Speaking during the occasion, the public relations manager for First Quantum Mining thanked the
Ministry of Agriculture for continued support to agricultural activities in the district. And the mine has
pledged to continue supporting farmers around the district in production of field crops and poultry.
NORTH WESTERN B REGION
CHAVUMA DFA CHAIRPERSON URGES GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER
PROMOTING RICE FARMING Chavuma District Farmers’ Association Chairperson Richard Manjimela has appealed to the government
to consider stimulating rice farming as a substitute to Maize farming in areas like Chavuma which have
enough water resources. The chairperson said this in the wake of increasing mealie meal prices and
shortages in the district. Mealie meal is currently costing between K130 and 150 per 25kg bag in
Chavuma district. The DFA chairperson has further said that Rice farming can be stimulated in areas
like the west bank of Chavuma which has soils only suitable for rice growing.
Meanwhile the DFA Chairperson has also appealed to farmers in Chavuma to take advantage of the
fresh maize demand during the rainy season and not wait until the maize is dry. He said farmers can
make more money out of selling fresh maize than selling when it is dry.
SOUTHERN B REGION
ZAWA OFFICERS ARREST THREE PEOPLE FOR CATTLE RUSTLING Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officers in Namwala district last week arrested four people for cattle
rustling. The ZAWA officers had mounted a road block along the Monze-Niko road in the early hours
of Saturday 19th March 2016. Four dead animals stolen from Chitongo area of Namwala were recovered.
The arrested cattle rustlers are currently at Namwala prison and will appear in court on the 5th April 2016
for commencement of trial.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY LAUNCHED IN NAMWALA Energy Deputy Minister, Honorable Charles Zulu MP, has launched the rural electrification project in
Baambwe area of Chief Mukobela chiefdom in Namwala district. The event was hosted by chief
Mukobela at his palace. Among the institutions which have so far been connected to the national
electricity grid are the Baambwe Rural Health Centre, the local court and Baambwe Primary school. The
development has cheered a lot of farmers and residents in the area.
CROP LIFE INERNATIONAL TRAINS AGRO DEALERS Crop life Zambia, a plant science organization which regulates the use of plant chemicals, in
collaboration with Musika and ZEMA this week trained agro-dealers from Chikankata, Mazabuka and
Monze districts. The agro-dealers were trained on how best to handle toxic chemicals. The training was
meant to equip the agro-dealers with necessary competences for them to qualify for a competence
certificate as per requirement by ZEMA. Most agro-dealers in the 3 districts do not poses competence
certificates to handle or prescribe agro-chemicals.
NORTHERN REGION
LUWINGU DACO ENCOURAGES FARMERS TO ATTEND FIELD DAYS Luwingu District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO), Miss Sekanayo Ng’ambi, has encouraged farmers to
be attending Field days and Agriculture Shows so as to learn new innovations as well as discovering
new crop varieties and breeds of livestock. This happened during the conservation farming day
conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in Mfungwe camp of Luwingu district.
WORLD VISION ZAMBIA (WVZ) CONDUCTS GOAT PRODUCTION TRAINING IN
MBALA World Vision in Mbala this week conducted a training in Goat production and management in
Kamuzwazi Agricultural Zone of the district. The objective of the training was to impact knowledge in
farmers on goat keeping as a business venture. The training covered topics such as breeds of goats,
behavioral characteristics, feeding and record keeping. A total of 50 farmers attended the of which 17
are members of Mbala District Farmers’ Association.
FARMERS ADVISED TO SAFEGUARD THEIR CROP TO AVOID HUNGER Mbala District Farmer’s Association chairperson, Peter Witola, has advised farmers in Mbala to safeguard
this year’s crop produce to avoid hunger at household level. The DFA chairperson said this during a
membership mobilization exercise at Kalola Information Centre of Mbala DFA.
AT AGRITECH EXPO 2016, LOOK OUT FOR THE TOP RANGING SANTA GETRUDIS BULLS, BORAN
BULLS, IN-CALF DAIRY HEIFERS, BOER GOATS AND SHEEP AT THE EXPANDED LIVESTOCK
SECTION. CATTLE AUCTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED. THOSE INTERESTED IN BUYING SHOULD
CONTACT ZNFU STATING THEIR INTENTIONS.
