TAKES DRASTIC LOADSHEDDING MEASURES E-CARD EXCITES KAPIRI MPOSHI FARMERS LAND O LAKES CLOSES OFFICES IN ZAMBIA 2015 DFA ANNUAL MEETINGS COMMENCE

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1 FRIDAY BRIEF WEEK 27, 2015 THIS Week s Highlights ZESCO TAKES DRASTIC LOADSHEDDING MEASURES E-CARD EXCITES KAPIRI MPOSHI FARMERS LAND O LAKES CLOSES OFFICES IN ZAMBIA 2015 DFA ANNUAL MEETINGS COMMENCE... SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW INDUSTRY UPDATES/ALERTS ZESCO TAKES DRASTIC LOADSHEDDING MEASURES At a ZNFU/ZESCO Committee meeting held on 2 nd July 2015, Zesco presented a gloomy picture of hydro generation of power because of low water levels at Kariba Dam and Itezhi -Tezhi. In a presentation made to farmers representatives from various farming areas which included Mazabuka, Lusaka, Chisamba and Mkushi, Zesco pointed out that at the current rate of generation, water levels would drop drastically by September to a point where generation could ground to a halt. To avert this situation, Zesco has to drop power generation levels to an average of about 500 MW daily and this is against a maximum daily load of 1500 MW hence they have to engage in drastic demand side management through load shedding of all stakeholders including the mines to balance the load. Therefore, Zesco has worked out load shedding options of at least 8 hours in some areas. Farmers expressed concern over the lack of early warning but Zesco indicated that initial weather forecast provided to them by Meteorological Department (MET) had predicted that water levels would rise but with time this has not materialised. Amidst all these challenges, farmers engaged in irrigation of winter crops especially wheat are encouraged to familiarize with the load-shedding schedules in the respective area and orient farm operations in line with the load-shedding times. Farmers should also engage local Zesco offices in case of changes to be proposed to the published times. Copies of such requests should be forwarded to the Union to assist with follow up as Zesco has indicated that that they remain committed to work with stakeholders in addressing emerging challenges during this time. At the meeting, farmers also requested that within the farming areas, wheat farmers should be considered for a shorter period of load shedding maximum six hours for the period July through to end of August. E-CARD EXCITES KAPIRI MPOSHI FARMERS Farmers in Kapiri Mposhi district are excited by the Government decision to implement the E-Voucher system in this year s Farmers Input Support Program (FISP). Speaking to the ZNFU in the district, the 1

2 farmers said that they are optimistic that implementing the FISP e-card will assist in addressing a number of challenges they have being facing in accessing the inputs. Meanwhile, during the recently held DDCC meeting, the District Commissioner indicated that sensitization on the implementation of the e-card system has commenced to all stakeholders in the district and a detailed plan on the implementation of the program will soon be circulated. During the same meeting, he praised the ZNFU for being instrumental and taking the lead in implementing the e-card system. Kapiri Mposhi district is among the districts piloting e-card system under FISP. LAND O LAKES CLOSES OFFICES IN ZAMBIA Land O Lakes an international NGO that promotes smallholder development ceased its operations in Zambia effective 30th June The organization has since donated most of its assets like furniture, equipment and vehicles to selected institutions cooperatives. Land O Lakes has been instrumental in the development of the dairy subsector in Zambia as it was one of the first development organizations to spearhead establishment of milk collection centres in Southern province and provided market linkages services to smallholder farmers. Land O Lakes was also building capacity of smallholder farmers through trainings DFA ANNUAL MEETINGS COMMENCE The 2015 District Farmers Associations Annual General Meetings (AGMs) will commence next week, the 8 th July, 2015, through to 20 th August, These meetings will be held in over 64 DFAs countrywide. The first meetings will be on the Copperbelt and Eastern Regions simultaneously. It is a ZNFU constitutional requirement that all affiliates of the Union practice good democratic tenets as enshrined in their constitutions. ALERTS!!! 1. ZAMBIAN FARMER TV PROGRAMME Don t miss next week s episode of the Zambian farmer TV programme which will be discussing Leather and Tanning. The Zambian farmer is a ZNFU sponsored programme which is aired every Monday at 18:25hrs on the national broadcaster, 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 offices. 2. ITEM FOR SALE 59.6 hectares titled farm on sale in Mufulira between the Ndola and Kitwe roads. Price: K500, Negotiable. Contact: Mr. C. Kaoma Cell # 0955/0965/ NOTICE National dairy herd competition taking place at Kalundu farm in Chisamba on 17th and 18th July

3 NEWS FROM ASSOCIATIONS ZAMBIAN COTTON INDUSTRY DELEGATES VISIT CHINA The Ministry of Commerce of Peoples Republic of China sponsored a Training on Cotton Planting Cooperation for African English Speaking Countries from May 27 th to 10 th June, 2015 in Beijing. And the training was organized by National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service centre of Peoples Republic of China. The countries which participated in the training were Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri-lanka, Sudan, Uganda and Zambia respectively. And Zambia was represented by the following organisations Cotton Board of Zambia (CBZ), Cotton Development Trust (CDT), China Africa Cotton Ginnery and Cotton Association of Zambia (CAZ). The training provided great opportunities for Zambia of experimental learning and productivity enhancement. The training was of great importance for Zambian cotton farmers, cotton regulators, cotton breeders and cotton ginners as China is one of the largest producers of cotton and also the biggest cotton consuming country of the world. ZAMBIA LAND ALLIANCE CALLS FOR A LAND POLICY Zambia land s Alliance in partnership with USAID held a two day s workshop at Palm wood lodge in Chudleigh on the 25 and 26th of June 2016 at which CSO from all over the country gathered to come up with the road map for the development of the Land policy in Zambia. The Zambia lands Alliance stresses the need for an inclusive, efficient, equitable and transparent land administration system to be put in place through the development of the land policy. The land policy should address how land is to be accessed, controlled, used and conserved for both customary and statutory tenure among many others. NEWS FROM THE REGIONS CENTRAL REGION ZNFU GETS BEST INTERPRETATION OF THE THEME The Zambia Nations Farmers Union central region got best interpretation of the theme award in the just ended district shows. The Union scooped first price in Serenje, Mkushi, Kapiri Mposhi and the first ever Ngabwe Districts Agricultural and Commercial Show, in the commercial category under the theme Innovation Beyond Golden Jubilee. Speaking at Ngabwe district show, the District Commissioner urged farmers to make use of the shows by learning new innovations which can help them diversify from maize production. He also praised the ZNFU for being innovative and offering the farming community with a number of tangible services. CHIBOMBO FARMERS BEMOAN LACK OF MILK COLLECTION CENTRE Farmers in Ipongo Information Centre (IC) in Chiyuni area of Chibombo district have bemoaned the lack of a milk collection centre in the district. Speaking during the IC Annual General Meeting, farmers lamented that despite the area having a lot of dairy animals; marketing of milk is a challenge as most of it goes sour due to lack of a cooling facility. The farmers made an earnest appeal to government and stakeholders to look into their plight by setting up a milk collection centre which will in turn enhance the marketing system. MKUSHI FARMERS BEMOAN LACK OF ACCESS TO FINANCE 3

4 Poultry farmers in Mkushi district have bemoaned the lack of financing tailored at enhancing emerging poultry farmers. The farmers indicated that lack of access to finance and the inability to supply poultry products to chain stores in the country is affecting the growth of the local poultry sector. This came to light during Market Study on Investment Opportunities in the Poultry Industry, commissioned by the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Zambia, in collaboration with AgriProFocus Zambia. This market study on investment opportunities of the Zambian poultry sector will generate market intelligence on investment opportunities in the poultry industry. This will improve the competitiveness of the Zambian poultry sector in local and regional markets as a precursor to attract and facilitate investment from Dutch businesses. It further aims to establish an effective platform for business linkages between Dutch and Zambian businesses in the poultry sector. EASTERN B REGION SINDA DC IMPLORES FARMERS TO MECHANIZE Sinda District Commissioner (DC), Mr. Henry Mukulumoya has implored farmers of Sinda District to adopt mechanized farming instead of clinging on to old and traditional method of using hand hoes and animal draft power in their farming business. Speaking during the official opening of the Sinda District Agriculture Show, the DC advised the farmers to embrace the modern farming technologies such as Conservation Agriculture and mechanized farming if they are to increase and improve their production and productivity. The DC lamented that the adoption rate in the use of mechanized farming is very low in the District compared to other parts of the country. DFAs SCOOP FIRST PRIZE AT DISTRICT SHOWS The DFAs in both Petauke and Nyimba Districts scooped the first prize during the just ended District Agriculture and Commercial Show in the NGO category. The District Shows were held Petauke and Nyimba on 19 th and 20 th June, 2015 under the theme, Innovation beyond Golden Jubilee which attracted over 200 exhibitors in different categories. The event in Petauke was graced by Mr. Kampyongo the Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President and in his speech Mr. Kampyongo reaffirmed government s commitment to working with collaborating partners in finding lasting solutions to the many challenges the farmers were facing in their farming business such as high cost of farming inputs, high loan interest rates, and delayed crop sales payments that characterized the 2013/14 crop marketing season. On the other hand Mr. Forrie Tembo the Deputy Minister of Broadcasting and Communication who graced the Show in Nyimba thanked ZNFU for its resilience in serving the farmers of Nyimba District and he encouraged the farmers to join the DFA because it was the only organization which embraced all category of farmers in the District. NORTHERN REGION NORTHERN PROVINCE HOLD ITS PROVINCIAL SHOW Northern Province successfully held its 6 th Agricultural, Tourism and Investment Show whose theme was Innovation beyond the Golden Jubilee. A number of Organizations showcased the services and products they are offering to general public. The show was graced by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Honourable Lexus Ng onga who was a guest of honour. In his speech, the Guest of Honour informed the audience that in order to improve efficiency and accountability in distribution of FISP inputs the 2015/16 farming season, the use of the Visa card will be piloted in the following district; Chibombo, Chisamba, Kabwe, Kapiri, Mumbwa, Chongwe, Ndola, Chikankata, Choma, Kalomo, Mazabuka, Monze and Pemba. Speaking earlier on, the Show Society Chairperson Mr. Kaniki Bwalya urged the government to work on feeder roads so that farmers can easily transport their produce. The ZNFU s Northern region also participated in this year s show. 4

5 MORE MECHANISATION ROAD SHOWS HELD IN NORTHERN PROVINCE The ZNFU in Northern Region in collaboration with SARO Agro, have continued to hold road shows with the aim of show casing farm mechanization and value addition equipment. The subsequent road shows will cover, Mungwi, Mbala, Kasama, Mporokoso and Luwingu Districts. These shows will start on 13 th July and end on 24 th July, The target is to ensure that more farmers access tractors, walking tractors, hummer mills, shellers and irrigation equipment. All the road shows will be conducted at the Information Centres (ICs) in the mentioned districts. CHIEF HONOURS FARMER Chief Mpande of Mambwe speaking people of Mbala has honoured Mr. Chaila Kasomo an emergent farmer. The Chief honoured Mr. Chaila Kasomo as a best emerging farmer during the Mutomono Traditional Ceremony of the Lungu Mambwe speaking people. The Ceremony was held on 27 th June, NORTH WESTERN A REGION PRIVATE BUYERS BUYING MAIZE AT K30 Private buyers have started buying maize in most part of Solwezi district at K30.00 per 50Kg bag. A check by DFA/ZNFU staffer in Mapunga area found that most of the farmers were selling maize at as low as K3/ 5kg which when calculated it was found that the price being offered to farmers was as low as K0.60/kg. However, in a similar development, Butemwe milling has offered DFA/ZNFU members K70/50 kg bag of maize delivered at the milling plant. ZESCO LOAD SHEDDING CAUSES HIKE IN FUEL PRICE The continuous load shedding of power by ZESCO has inspired local fuel vendors in Kasempa district to increase the fuel price to as high as K13.00 per litre. The situation has also compelled motorists to also increase transport fares on some routes within Kasempa district from K10.00 to K A check conducted by ZNFU staffer at the only fuel service station in the district found motorists stranded because the service station had not received any fuel since Monday, 29 th July, NORTH WESTERN B LIONS TERRORIZE CHAVUMA RESIDENTS It has been reported that 3 lions have been terrorizing farmers in Chikanta area from which the lions have since killed 5 herds of cattle and 3 goats. This has caused panic among the farmers in Chikanta area. This development was confirmed by the District Commissioner Mr. Lawrence Kayumba who warned Chavuma residents who attended the commemoration of the world VCT day to be careful as they go to harvest in the areas near Chikanta. ZAWA has since moved to the area to try and capture the lions. CHAVUMA IN NETWORK BOOST Chavuma district has been earmarked to receive 7communication towers from ZICTA. This came to light during the DDCC meeting that was held on the 2 nd of July, The District Commissioner confirmed this new which cheered the members of the DDCC and ZNFU in particular because it will enable the Union to easily communicate with Information Centers that are located on the West bank such as Nguvu IC. It was further learnt that the network towers would be erected by December, SOUTHERN B REGION CHOMA MILLING OPENS OUTLET IN NAMWALA 5

6 Farmers in Namwala have expressed happiness over the move by Choma milling company to have opened an outlet. The company has opened an outlet following the high demands of their products by Namwala farmers who used to cover more than 170 km to access the products. The farmers will therefore save the transport cost of going to Choma to buy mealie-meal and stock feed. The company through there branch manager Mr. Cheelo expressed happiness over the overwhelming response they have received so far and are more than willing to address the needs of the Namwala farmers. DFAs SCOOP 1 ST PRIZES AT DISTRICT SHOWS The ZNFU southern B Region has so far participated in 5 District Agricultural and Commercial Shows and 4 DFAs scooped the first prize in the NGO category as Best Service providers. These districts include Monze, Siavonga, Chikankata and Namwala. The Mazabuka show starts today, 3 rd July, Meanwhile preparations for the Provincial Show are underway. 6