IAPRI BUDGET ANALYSIS

By HAPPY MULOLANI The Institute of Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) says the agricultural budget has declined by 25 percent due to the debt burden which is impacting on public spending. IAPRI Associate Researcher Auckland Kuteya says the cost of servicing debt in 2020 is higher resulting in reductions in allocations directed to different sectors of the economy. Mr. Kuteya asserts that what needs to be taken into account is “how to achieve more with less”. Mr. Kuteya said, “the President His Excellency President Edgar Lungu has acknowledged that agriculture is threatened by climate change, it is for this reason that the budget seeks to look at key drivers of the economy.” Currently, 97.9million has been allocated to extension services in order to support the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices. Mr Kuteya observes the need to re-think the timely release of funds to key drivers of the economy to effectively support and implement the key drivers of the economy. He noted that the delayed release of funds is an impediment to the implementation of activities as evidenced in the past year. Meanwhile, Mr Kuteya welcomes government’s restriction to only purchase 300 strategic food reserves to avoid gobbling a lot of allocated funds, noting that government’s spending on poverty reduction programmes such as FISP and FRA has not yielded positive results. He was speaking during a media breakfast budget analysis at Radisson Blu in Lusaka recently. The meeting drew stakeholders in the agricultural sector such as Millers Association of Zambia, Grain Traders Association, National Small-Scale farmers Association, Veterinary Association of Zambia, among others. And IAPRI Outreach Director Ballad Zulu says though limited funds were allocated to research, some strides have been scored with developing of hybrid varieties which are resilient to the negative effects of climate change. “For instance, cassava varieties at the time used to mature in three years but other varieties that have been developed through research maturing in six months have been developed. These varieties have contributed to improved food security among smallholder farmers”, said Mr. Zulu. Speaking at the same event, Millers Association of Zambia Andrew Chitala says the government needs to re-think how best the mealie meal situation is dealt with given the present dynamics of the economy in the country. The budget analysis comes in the wake of the 2020 budget presentation made by Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ngandu in Parliament recently. Dr Ngandu unveiled the 2020 budget which reflects 52% personal emoluments to the civil service, 43% of loan repayments and 7% directed towards key drivers of the economy.

DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION FARMING IN MUSAKASHI

By HAPPY MULOLANI Irrigation farming is one of the priorities of the Government of Zambia. According to the Seventh National Development Plan, 2017-2021, Government has reiterated its commitment to ensure water resources are properly harnessed, developed and managed in order to enhance socio-economic development. Despite Zambia being endowed with abundant water resources, its uptake remains very low. This is confirmed by Southern African Development Community (SADC), which notes irrigated land presently stands at 7 percent of available irrigable land, as opposed to 70 percent in developed nations. In Zambia, the irrigable potential is 400,000 ha of which only about 100,000 ha is being irrigated. Thus, government endeavours to empower rural livelihoods through irrigable and improved food security and increased income. As such, Government of Zambia partnered with the International Development Association (IDA) under the World Bank to finance bulk water irrigation infrastructure development under the Irrigation Development Support Project (IDSP). IDSP is an irrigation infrastructure Development project under the Ministry of Agriculture valued at a cost of US$115million. The Government of Zambia contributed US$23million towards the implementation of the programme which began in 2011. This initiative is in line with the National Irrigation policy. The initial objective of IDSP is to increase yields per hectare and value of diverse products marketed by smallholders benefitting from investments in irrigation in selected project sites. However, Ministry of Agriculture Technical Services Branch Deputy Director Stanslous Chisakuta, explains after evaluation of the attainment of the programme’s objective to achievable benchmarks, the objective was revised as: “to provide improved access to irrigation services in selected sites in the recipient’s territory”. Mr. Chisakuta says the project is presently being implemented in three categories- group one sub-project sites of Lusitu in Chirundu in Lusaka province, Mwomboshi in Chisamba in Central province and Musakashi in Mufulira on the Copperbelt province. The project’s aim is meant to compensate people that have been re-located to identified areas and resettled. Against this backdrop, government identified Musakashi area, a rural outpost which lies 15 kilometres west of Mufulira district. It is bordered by Chambishi, Kalulushi, and Chingola respectively on the Copperbelt province. With 462 farmers, a number of significant features meant to operationalise Musakashi resettlement scheme are feasible. Musakashi District Liaison Officer Abraham Mulenga reveals 1, 200 hectares of land is being developed for irrigation purposes. The project has resettled individuals and also compensated some individuals who had title deeds under set criteria. Mr. Mulenga explains that the scheme will operate on the basis of a 3-tier system. Firstly, Tier 1 is meant for small-scale farmers who have been displaced and resettled in designated resettlement areas. Secondly, Tier 2 is a category for emergent farmers, cooperatives and farm companies. These entities can cultivate land ranging from five hectares to 15 hectares. And they can access this land by applying through the Musakashi Community Land Trust (CLT). Lastly, Tier 3 is meant for a commercial investor or any individuals with the capacity to utilize 700 hectares net irrigable which will be prepared by the project. The investor is expected to run the investment on a public private partnership for 25 years. The identified land under Tier 3 will be prepared by the project. Following the outlined 3 Tiers, Government and IDSP with support from the World Bank devised modalities of apportioning land to individuals through the Community Land Trust. Each resettled individual in the scheme has been allocated 2.5 hectares whereas individuals displaced with title deeds have been compensated and resettled. The project has constructed 113 houses at a value cost of K11, 318.105. These constructed housing units have enabled people in the area to have access to decent accommodation, of which some individuals never had prior to IDSP’s intervention. The scheme has three significant features which include pump house, fore bay and reservoir which is under construction and is expected to be complete by October this year. According to Mr. Mulenga, construction works of this multi million project valued at a cost of US$8.2 million also includes access roads. “Once construction works of the facility are launched, Musakashi farmers will be empowered as they will have access to irrigate various crops meant to improve their livelihoods,” says Mr. Mulenga. Musakashi Community Land Trust Secretary Elvis Mwansa describes how some individuals in the area resisted the resettlement programme during the inception meetings with IDSP project staff and Ministry of Agriculture staff. “At first when IDSP and government officers came to explain their intentions of resettling and compensating people in the area in order to create an irrigation scheme, some people were skeptical. Some even left Musakashi to other areas,” says Mr. Mwansa. However, Community Land Trust member Getrude Namenda says most people started believing what the project had promised when they saw houses being constructed and people resettled as well as those who had title deeds compensated. At this point, some people who had even left the area, decided to come back in order to benefit from the programme. Mrs. Namenda is of the view the success of the resettling programme is based on transparency of administering land through the Community Land Trust in Musakashi. “There was no discrimination in the way people were resettled and compensated in Musakashi. That is way most people welcomed the whole idea especially after all the construction works became feasible,” says Mrs. Namenda. As she observes people are now united after successfully completing the resettlement programme. What has also encouraged most farmers in the area is the manner in which allocation of land has been effected with less hurdles. As IDSP Safeguard Specialist Moono Kanjelesa reveals all the identified land for the scheme was state land. This land was all brought together after undergoing through the process of identification. The identification of eligible individuals affected was done through the Community Land Trust (CLT). “CLTs mandate has played a critical role in ensuring land is rightfully apportioned to affected beneficiaries,” says Mrs. Kanjelesa. She points out that project staff and Ministry of Agriculture staff are ex-officials whose role is merely to provide guidance. This approach enables CLTs to rightly fully identify people that need to be compensated and resettled within the scheme because communities know themselves and are likely to be more transparent in terms of who rightly benefits from acquiring land under the resettlement scheme. This approach applies to all other resettlement schemes – Lusitu and Mwomboshi in Chirundu and Chisamba respectively. One of the unique features of this land in the scheme is that farmers have security through title deeds to their individual apportioned land. Their individual title deeds fall under the parent title deed. “Title deeds are a form of security which guarantees a sense of ownership of land,” says Mrs. Kanjelesa. With all these strides, farmers remain optimistic to participate in the different agriculture activities which are aimed at improving their household food security and increased income. It is envisaged IDSP’s strides aimed at empowering farmers through irrigation farming will bear fruit once the scheme is fully functional and that farmers will utilise their allocated land productively to improve their livelihoods.

IDSP BUILDS CAPACITY IN MUSAKASI FARMERS

By HAPPY MULOLANI Since government’s prioritizing the agriculture sector, there have been a number of interventions aimed at promoting the adoption of technologies by small-scale farmers through increased food security and income. This is eminent through government’s effort of promoting irrigation farming through Irrigation Development Support Programme (IDSP), a programme supported by World Bank among small-scale farmers in Musakashi resettlement scheme in Mufulira. The resettlement scheme is expected to become fully functional once the construction works of the multi-million dollar irrigation facility is complete in October this year. But, one source of concern is sustainability of the progamme once IDSP phases out. Admittedly, most projects which have come on board to provide interventions in the agriculture sector meant to upscale food security and increased incomes of small-scale farmers have become white elephants after their completion. This trend is attributed to lack of proper mechanisms when projects phase-out that ensure sustainability. With this concern in mind, the project has exposed farmers to a number of trainings and exposure visits in order to draw vital lessons from some of the best practices and success stories in other countries where irrigation farming has been intensified and farmers have excelled in their farming enterprises. On this premise, IDSP’s approach has been to build capacity in farmers through trainings and exposure visits. Through these trainings and exposure visits, farmers have been equipped with appropriate knowledge to apply in their farming enterprises. Musakashi Community Land Trust Secretary Elvis Mwansa cites a trip that IDSP sponsored for identified small-scale farmers in Musakashi to Swaziland. The farmers learnt how farmers in that country had taken farming as a business and were successful in their various farming enterprises. “In Swaziland, I met farmers who had been become rich just by practicing irrigation farming. That is when I got motivated to embark on irrigation farming given the abundant arable land which we possess in Musakashi,” says Mr. Mwansa. He points out the project’s approach of exposing farmers in Musakashi to trainings and exposure visits has not only been an eye-opener but also given them ideas to explore a lot of avenues to sustain their livelihoods. “The trainings have had a positive impact in our farming enterprises as we have been able to identify profitable crops such as cabbage, egg plants and other products to supply the readily available market,” said Mr. Mwansa. He says the exposure visits and trainings have contributed to a change of mind-set among most small-scale farmers to not only venture into agriculture for food security purposes but to seriously take farming as a business and realize an income for their households. Grievance Committee member Alice Mukwata echoes similar sentiments that the trainings in market research are an eye-opener to potential products and markets. “Empowering us with skills on how to identify market linkages with food chain stores like Food Lovers, Shoprite and Pick and Pay among others is beneficial to us because it gives ideas of the demands of the market”, Mrs. Mukwata. Musakashi District Liaison Officer Abraham Mulenga says farmers business trainings has resulted in establishing linkages with potential markets –both locally and beyond the borders such as Kasumbalesa. Mr. Mulenga says farmers have been equipped with skills on how to conduct market research. The acquired skills allow farmers to position themselves as they assess specific valuable crops with a readily available market. “Market research skills have compelled farmers to grow only crops which are viable for the market and targeted at specific buyers on the market, as doing so will prevent crop losses” he says. And Committee Land Trust Chairperson Stanford Nyendwa revealed that ever since government resettled and compensated some farmers in Musakasi area, they have been empowered with knowledge on irrigation farming which is useful and will ensure they make profits once the scheme is operationalised. “Irrigation farming has helped us realize that there are a lot of farming enterprises we can engage ourselves such as cabbage production. Such enterprises are bearing fruit as they are contributing to increased food security and incomes in our community” said Mr. Nyendwa. These trainings have potentially exposed farmers to other successful farmers. This positions farmers’ to come up with strategies aimed at making irrigation farming profitable. Mr. Nyendwa reveals it is unique for farmers to undertake market surveys by themselves. It allows them to see the viability of specific crops on the market before in engaging in irrigation farming. This enables them to ascertaining what crops to grow in their irrigation agriculture activities. “As farmers, we are not dependent on experts or agriculture or project staff doing market surveys for us because they have equipped us with knowledge and skills on how to conduct market surveys after undergoing trainings,” says Mr. Nyendwa. IDSP Economist Michael Kabwe says the programme has allowed farmers to not only go on such exposure visits internationally to draw on lessons and best practices of what other farmers have achieved in their farming enterprises. But also enables them implement sustainable practices within their local farming context. Mr. Kabwe explains that IDSP is also offering support through matching grants to farmers in tier 1 and tier 2, whereas tier 3 is a commercially viable category which will ensure the promotion of out-grower schemes among the smallholder farmers. Matching grants are meant to provide financing for farmers on farm implements such as equipment. The grants are co-financed with beneficiaries. Matching grants fall into five categories. Firstly, on farm irrigation equipment such as sprinklers, dip, centre pivotal among others. Secondly, aquaculture post harvest mechanization equipping farmers with tractors, ploughs, storage. This equipment is meant to avert post harvest losses. Thirdly, funds are provided for non-traditional production such as biogas production, production of biofuel among others. Fourth, seed working capital. This refers to start-up capital meant to assist acquire inputs, fertilizer, and pesticides. And lastly, matching grants for marginalized groups which require support. This category is considered as specialized financing for women and vulnerable people. The fund covers this category 100 percent as long as it is an identified need. Such financing of these different categories being offered to small-scale farmers will commence once the schemes are fully operational. Through matching grants, it is hoped the low uptake of irrigation farming among small-scale farmers will be enhanced as the facility is expected to adequately support them engage in their farming enterprises. IDSP’s support towards small-scale farmers through trainings and exposure visits is tailored towards re-thinking the sustenance of farmers’ enterprises. It is envisaged that as the programme phases out, farmers will be able to continue to sustain their farming enterprises through irrigation farming.

E-SAPP/CIAT PARTNERSHIP IN CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

By HAPPY MULOLANI In Zambia, the agriculture sector is one of the key productive sectors. As a result, government has prioritized the sector through national development plans such as the Seventh National Development Plan, among others, which outlines its key priorities envisaged for the country to attain economic growth. But, climate change is one of the concerns likely to impact on the success of the agriculture sector in the country. Through intervention programmes such as the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP), government has reaffirmed its committment by implementing E-SAPP with co-funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme, which runs for seven years, aims to support 61,000 smallholder farmers in all ten provinces. E-SAPP has selected four commodities of focus. These include livestock, rice, crops and aquaculture. In a recent meeting in Lusaka, on climate change which looked at climate vulnerability assessment for enhanced smallholder agribusiness promotion programme. The meeting drew participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and key stakeholders engaged in the fight against climate change. It focused on climate analysis specifically on the historic and future trends in the Zambian context. Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) Acting Programme Coordinator Emmanuel Mulenga points out that the programme has no geographical positioning per se but is existent in all the ten provinces across the selected commodities of focus. Mr Mulenga explains that the programme has taken into account establishing sustainable agribusiness partnerships to better position and support smallholder farmers in their farming enterprises. This strategic linkage focuses on graduating subsistence farmers to potential markets. He says the programme builds capacity and equips smallholder farmers with knowledge. But, the point of realization is that knowledge alone is not adequate. This is the more reason, the programme seeks to provide matching grants as an effective avenue to effectively support and empower farmers as a means of investment. Mr Mulenga highlights the first component of the programme which promotes agribusiness growth for beneficiary farmers to effectively participate in the value chain, under the National Development agribusiness intervention for the country. He observes that while the programme has conceptualized a well defined target of farmers within the specific value chains, achieving the programme’s goals of increased volumes, food security and nutrition and income may have serious implications in view of the climatic changes. For this reason, E-SAPP has partnered with International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). CIAT works to increase prosperity and improve human nutrition through research-based interventions agriculture and the environment. It works in Africa, Asia and Latin America. One of its thematic areas which is key to its partnership with E-SAPP is investment planning for resilient agriculture and the leveraging of markets through improved productivity and `competitive (CIAT Africa Factsheet, 2019). In this respect, CIAT’s partnership with E-SAPP aims at strengthening its agribusiness intervention. Mr Mulenga explains that CIAT role is key in assessing the risks in line with climate change and ensures they provide interventions that assure farmers to achieve increased volumes and food production. And speaking on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture Director Policy and Planning John Kalumbi, Christopher Mbewe says that it is important for E-SAPP which is a programme the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing with IFAD’s support to be wary of the effects of climate change as farmers engage in their respective commodities of focus. “The importance of this partnership will enable farmers to be supported in coming up with feasible interventions that will positively impact on the farmers’ commodities of focus”, says Mr Kalumbi. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) County Director Joseph Mulambu says more sensitization is required to farmers on the adaptive mechanisms given the effects of climate change. “Climate change may affect farmers’ progress in their commodities of focus if proper mechanisms are not effected”, says Mr Mulambu. Mr Mulambu points out though it is clear that the effects of climate change are more pronounced in the Southern than the Northern and Eastern provinces of Zambia, farmers cannot be convinced to shift. This is because cultural barriers are difficult to break. On the contrary, what is required is to look at the vulnerability map and tailor more support towards areas severely affected by climate change. While CIAT Farming Systems and Climate Change Scientist Caroline Mwongera says climate change has its own merits and demerits depending on the circumstances. “The face of climate change has its own implications for the future, the key factors to consider is risk, suitability and sensitivity of specific crops. For instance, certain crops will thrive in particular localities depending on the risks, sensitivity and suitability experienced in specific areas. This trend is currently being experienced in East Africa, where there has been a shift to growing coffee in the northern parts which was not the case before”, says Dr Mwongera. Given the risk climate change poses, there is need to re-think adaption options based on context specific conditions as that would help mitigate the effects of climate change within the value chain the smallholder farmers are engaged in. And United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Goalkeeper David Mwabila is of the view adaptive measures need to cater for all parts of the country. Mr Mwabila explains that adaptive measures calls for taking into account of risks synonymous with every province. This should be a basis of putting in place adaptive measures in areas more prone to climatic risks. “Certain provinces that are more prone to climatic risks in agriculture production need more support and expertises to be directed towards them, in order for them to cope with the effects of climate change”, he said. From the foregoing sentiments from various stakeholders and actors, it is encouraging that government has put in place policies to help mitigate the prevailing effects of climate change. More importantly, there is need to re-think appropriate adaptation options to allow farmers cope in their farming enterprises. Suffice to state that though they are present on-going adaptation options, it is key to look at potential adaptation options which facilitate the possibility of farmers adopting climate resilience practices. Such an approach allows smallholder farmers to progress in their commodities of focus and ultimately contribute to food security.

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN AGRICULTURE (AGRI-PPPs)

By HAPPY MULOLANI Calls for innovative partnerships aimed at bringing together actors such as business, government, smallholder farmers and civil society have come to the fore. This is in response to limited government resources and expertise. This approach of bringing together these actors is a well orchestrated mechanism with a view to improve productivity and foster growth in various sectors, referred to as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Through such initiatives, the possibilities of contributing to transform the agriculture sector and heightened multiple benefits are expected to assist in pursuing sustainable agricultural development which includes smallholder farmers. With respect to enhancing agriculture development, PPPs are much focused on responding to food security, wealth creation and the viability of rural areas. Agri-PPPs also have the capacity to not only “leverage finances, share risks fairly, develop innovations but also create market access for all players” (MAL Concept Note, 2019). However, Agri-PPP is often deemed to be externally positioned in the context of the conventional institutional framework for PPP governance. Agri-PPP naturally consists of lower scale of investment, multi-stakeholder involvement, and largely puts emphasis on social objectives such as food security and poverty reduction (MOA Concept Note, 2019). The foregoing has presented some challenges implementing the Agri-PPPs due to lack of clear guidelines and regulations to enable contracting authorities and the private sector have specific focus. Further, the present existing institutional set-up for PPPs mostly focus on infrastructure projects, which are characterized by a larger scale of capital investments, commercial risk and contractual arrangements which are different from most common types of Agri-PPPs (FAO, 2016). This status quo has culminated in a series of appraisals and discussions in scaling up appropriate interventions aimed at supporting the agriculture sector through the Agri-PPPs in order to enhance development. This has led to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the African Union (AU) to spearhead the formulation of guidelines and regulations which support agriculture development in the Zambian context in August, this year. In a recent, multistakeholder meeting to formulate guidelines for Agri-PPPs in Zambia, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Representative George Okech observes that despite the opportunities the agriculture sector presents, it still remains unattractive to the private sector investors and financial institutions for varied reasons. Mr. Okech cites some of the constraints such as low volumes and inconsistent quality of produce, lack of business and technical skills which has also resulted in limiting access to supportive services such as finance and advisory, limitations of access to domestic and regional markets, low adoption of modern technology and lack of consistent policies which govern the agricultural sector. However, he expresses optimism that the role of private sector in agricultural transformation is key as it continues to complement the existing public sector efforts, specifically to enhance development of strategic agricultural value chains, both at national and regional levels. For this reason, the public sector needs to re-position itself by creating and maintaining conditions that favour investments in agribusiness and agro-industries by the private sector. “PPPs are a significant mechanism for attracting investment and technical expertise and have the potential to transform the agricultural sector and deliver multiple benefits that can contribute towards the pursuit of inclusive agricultural development,” retaliates Mr. Okech. And FAO Agribusiness Officer Stepanka Gallatova based in Rome shares her sentiments that there is a lot of interest generated around PPPs not only in Africa but globally. It seems as a mechanism for agriculture. This is premised on the fact that over 60 percent of sub-Saharan African countries depend on agriculture for their income and employment, mainly in small-scale farming. Ms Gallatova explains that bodies such as Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and Malabo declaration have all focused on transformation of the agriculture sector on the African agenda, which is as a result of the many opportunities the sector presents to its populace. “Transformation of the African agriculture sector is important but needs huge injection of funds. Clearly the public sector needs to be supported because they cannot do it by themselves, which is why PPPs are key to sustain the process,” says Ms Gallatova. Ms Gallatova reveals that over 11million youths who join the job market each year are likely to be absorbed by the agriculture given the opportunities the sector presents. Due to these constraints, there is limited investment, agricultural value chains are not operating at optimum efficiency due to poor infrastructure, lack of appropriate technology and limited market access. Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo highlights the importance of transforming the agriculture sector through the Agri-PPPs. He says the need to adopt best practices is key in ensuring productivity among smallholder farmers. And Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary Benson Mwenya says PPPs need to re-look at the private sector supporting the public sector. He cites government’s development of aquaculture parks as one of the investments that the private sector needs to support if they are to be viable. And Technical Working Group lead Christopher Mbewe says identified partnerships which include private, public and joint partnerships need to be supported by the national agriculture policies. “Though Zambia has a national PPP Act, but it focuses more on a large scale infrastructure PPPs. Instead, this notion has to include specificities of PPPs in the agriculture sector,” says Mr. Mbewe. He noted that critical aspects such as institutional arrangements, the provision of equity and acting as guarantors is important in ensuring that risks are taken care of. Mr. Mbewe observes the need for government to provide an enabling environment by ensuring that proper policies are put in place. “The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock needs to be seriously considered if identified Agri-PPPs are to succeed in the Zambian context,” he says. And National Small-Scale Farmers Union President Frank Kayula says the concept of Agri-PPPs is pivotal to improving productivity and fostering growth if key stakeholders properly target specific value chain commodities which can contribute to economic growth. Given the critical role which government is mandated to implement the national agriculture policies, Agri-PPPs have come at a time when the necessity for supporting smallholder farmers is evitable if the targeted enterprises within the agriculture sector are to be sustained. Clearly, Agri-PPPs if properly implemented and supported will not only result in sustained efforts that empower smallholder farmers to be viable but also improve extension services and create market linkages within identified value chains. In this way, the envisaged goals and priorities will ultimately contribute to agriculture development and growth of the economy.

GIZ EMPOWERS SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN EASTERN PROVINCE

By HAPPY MULOLANI Food security is one of the concerns among smallholder farmers which tend to have adverse effects on rural farming households. This is attributed to lack of knowledge on appropriate methods of producing food. To address this dilemma, government has reaffirmed its committment through the Seventh National Development to increase food production by increasing productivity and nutrition at household level. To achieve this goal, government has partnered with cooperating partners such as the Germany government (GIZ). Government’s partnership with GIZ through the AgriFood programme under Food and Nutrition Security, Enhanced project (FANSER) is aimed at enhancing smallholder and strengthen resilience in view of climate change through improving agriculture and food security of households in Katete and Petauke districts in Eastern province. The project is working to empower 56, 000 households. This partnership has enabled key stakeholders to come on board to contribute towards improving rural livelihoods. To this end, FANSER is collaborating with other partners such as the National Food and Nutrition Commission and Catholic Relief Services, among others in the implementation of this project. With this in mind, GIZ and various partners have developed appropriate materials meant to empower and equip farmers with vital information to enable farmers grow crops that are resilient to the devastating effects of climate change. GIZ Agriculture and Food Security Programme Coordinator Moritz Heldmann says developing training materials for use in identified training sites is an ideal avenue in building the farmers’ capacities in their different farming enterprises. “These training materials are to be disseminated to the district agriculture staff in Eastern province and will be utilized to build the required capacity of extension staff and the targeted households”, says Mr. Heldmann He asserts that development and distribution of the materials through extension services will greatly contribute to the development of the agriculture sector as stipulated in the Second National Agriculture Policy through objective seven which focuses on “improving food and nutrition security.” Mr. Heldmann explains that the Keyhole Garden manual has a number of benefits for households. Firstly, they are less labour intensive. Secondly, they are cheaper and easy to build using locally available materials. And thirdly, they consume less water as compared to a normal home garden. He points out that while these legume training manuals are able to translate into increased household diversification, they also contribute to improved nutrition of the beneficiary groups. It is envisaged these interventions will contribute to improved food and nutrition security of the farmers and overall status of the country’s food security levels. The programme has produced materials on Keyhole Garden and beans and cowpeas as the key intervention areas of focus under the programme. The following are the materials produced in English and also translated in specific vernacular languages. 1,000 booklets on Keyhole garden and 2,400 training flip charts while beans and cowpeas translated booklets in Nyanja are 15,000, 6,000 booklets in English and 2,400 training flip charts. Although language can be a limiting factor to some farmers in accessing knowledge in their farming enterprises of interest, GIZ intends to support the translation of these manuals and booklets into other Zambian vernacular languages. “Translations in other languages is also a priority, which the programme plans to undertake in order to reach out to a wider range of smallholder farmers and households”, acknowledges Mr. Heldmann. He also reveals that GIZ is likely to scale-up interventions by extending to Luapula province. This pilot project is expected to target approximately 16,000 smallholder farmers. And Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Charles Sondashi appreciates government’s collaboration with GIZ noting that the production of the materials is one of the key outputs. Mr. Sondashi is elated with the efforts of GIZ and Ministry of Agriculture staff involved in the preparation and ultimate production of the materials. He explains that the provision of the materials will assist in creating awareness among the target farmers and is particularly thankful for making translations that will enable a wider range of farmers’ accessibility to vital information on the food crops. “The materials will also empower farmers with knowledge that they can use as they engage in their various farming activities,” says Mr. Sondashi. And Principal Food and Nutrition Officer Nancy Chella is of the view that the provision of the books and manuals will help in scaling up the farmers food production and also improve their nutritional status. “The significance of this collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and GIZ has resulted in the developing of manuals and booklets, meant to equip farmers with knowledge in order to boost their food production and nutrition”, says Mrs. Chella. Such an initiative is a milestone effort intended to improve smallholder farmers’ food production and nutrition. While GIZ has made tremendous headways in supporting and contributing towards food security, what is required is for more stakeholders to take a proactive approach in supplementing government, GIZ and other collaborating stakeholders efforts already involved in enhancing food security. Such an approach will result in concerted efforts leading to increased food production and nutrition among smallholder farmers. Clearly, government has put in place policies to facilitate and support the increase of food production of smallholder farmers. This is premised on the understanding that policies alone are not adequate without any tangible support. As a consequence, GIZ’s support towards smallholder farmers through the provision of materials will ensure an increased knowledge base in the type of crops grown and also increased food production and nutrition as enshrined in the national development plans, which is a roadmap the country strives to achieve.

AFRICAN SEED AND FOOD UNDER THREAT

By HAPPY MULOLANI Since time immemorial most small-scale farmers have used traditional seed in their different farming activities. This means that, farmers are using recycled seed every successive farming season through traditional methods of preservation. This traditional way of protecting what is dubbed as African seed has evolved as most farmers have turned to hybrid cultivars. This shift has been necessitated as a result of the provision of improved seed varieties through a number of Seed Companies. George Kampamba, a small-scale farmer under the Farm Training Centre (FTC) in Chinsali district in Muchinga province, is one of the few farmers who diligently grows local variety on a relatively bigger scale to not only sustain his family but also to raise an income, as he has taken farming as a serious business. Kampamba, says he opts to still grow local maize variety alongside legume crops such as beans whose names are even identified locally such as Kabulangeti, Mensopansaka and Kansenga. He says these seed varieties are reminiscent of prominent names of areas or individuals held in high esteem in different farming communities. He vehemently opposes abandoning local seed varieties; he would rather compliment with whatever hybrid varieties because the differences are very minimal for legumes which should not be a basis to stop growing local varieties. “For instance, a lima of beans which he cultivates gives a yield of four bags by 50kilogramme bags, which does not vary much with hybrid seed which produces either five or six bags by 50kilogramme bags with proper management ”, says Kampamba. Kampamba, is one of the few small-scale farmers who “religiously” grows local varieties on a larger scale. Similarly, Ernest Chilambwe, a small-scale farmer of Chinsali district under FTC Camp (Chinsali Central Block) is of the view that local seed varieties such as maize, particularly Pandawa and Kalimwa which is the commonly grown maize local varieties are better grown nowadays for home consumption than for sale. “I cultivate one lima of local maize variety and the other one lima is for hybrid seed variety, mostly I prefer seedco. In the former, I get 12-15 by 50kilogramme bags, while the latter I harvest 15-20 by 50kilogramme bags”, he says. Chilambwe’s sentiments are premised on the fact that local varieties market value is lower than hybrid seed varieties due to their quality and yield potential. This notion is supported by other farmers who think that local seed varieties are grown mainly for home consumption because major designated buyers of strategic food reserves such as the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would prefer to procure not only high yielding varieties but also quality seed (white maize) in case of maize grain. “FRA only buys hybrid seed maize varieties which are better in terms of quality as compared to local seed varieties like Kalimwa and Pandawa which is often mixed and viewed unsuitable for the market export”, says Chilambwe. He explains those farmers who sale local seed do so through other buyers who offer them prevailing market prices often recommended by the Government. His opinion is, farmers who still grow local seed still stand a chance of benefiting as there are less cost implications. “Growing local seed varieties does not necessarily mean farmers will lose out, it is just a question of positioning themselves for a readily available market for landraces”, says Chilambwe. However, Mr. Lucky Chileshe, another small-scale farmer in Chinsali district argues that it is difficult for farmers to continue cultivating local seed on a large scale because it has a lower commercial value than hybrid seed. He reveals that some farmers have opted to even stop growing local seed varieties due to their lower yields. Instead, they opt to cultivate hybrid varieties for both home consumption and commercial purposes due to their high yielding capacity. Chileshe explains that farmers do not just want to grow local seed for food security purposes but they also consider the dictates of the market. “The present trend shows that hybrid seed varieties are high yielding and are guaranteed of a readily available market”, he says. He posits that what encourages farmers to even grow hybrid varieties more is they are offered through different accessible seed companies and programmes. This idea has resulted in the proliferation of small-scale farmers turning to hybrid seed varieties because they are high yielding as compared to local seed varieties. This sudden shift from local seed varieties to hybrid seed varieties is a source of concern as it has implications on the preservation of local seed varieties which is now under threat. This is not only peculiar to maize seed but many other seed varieties such as finger millet, cassava, beans, and sweet potatoes, among others. But, there are still some farmers who believe they should grow both local and improved seed varieties for food security and commercial purposes. For instance, Joseph Ngosa, has been a farmer for the last 20 years, is skeptical about abandoning growing local seed variety because the harvest is still reasonable if properly managed and stable rainfall. “Growing local seed is still helpful as long as it is properly managed and the pattern of rainfall is sufficient to necessitate its growth”, says Ngosa. In addition, there are also many ways of preserving local seed varieties through the use of insecticides such as Chilindamatura Dust and Actelic Gold Dust which is readily available in many Agro-dealers outlets in the district. Few farmers still use traditional methods such as mixing the grain with wood ash, dry tobacco and Glyricidia Sepium leaves. “There are modern ways of preserving the local seed through the use of insecticide powder which helps the seed stay without being weaviled until the next planting season. There are still potential buyers who offer reasonable prices”, says Ngosa. Ngosa believes local seed variety was good in the past as it grew well without any fertilizer application. But, over time the soils are depleted and require synthetic fertilizers which to some extent contributes to low PH levels of the soil. To some farmers, this is one of the factors which has caused the sudden shift to improved seed varieties. Agricultural experts are of the view that African seed is certainly under siege as most farmers turn to improved varieties. It is believed these improved seed varieties register better yields compared to local seed. If this notion is not addressed anytime soon, local seed varieties will soon be history. The question still stands, if African seed becomes history, who loses? This is the more reason experts need to re-position themselves in capacity building among small-scale farmers in order for them to make informed decisions. This assertion is shared by Ministry of Agriculture Crop Husbandry Officer Wilfred Kamima who says farmers need to re-think their position and continue growing local seed varieties alongside hybrid seeds. But, this can only happen if front-line staff on the ground embarks on sensitization and capacity building or holding sessions with farmers to equip them with knowledge in dealing with such situations. “What is required is a better approach of conducting sensitization meetings with officers at grassroots, the front-line staff; who are Camp Extension Officers as they work very closely with farmers on the ground”, says Kamima. He cites demonstration plots as being good learning points and models designed by researchers at Research stations as they always emphasize on growing both local and hybrid seeds which allows farmers to have options and also from the results obtained, they are able to learn how relevant local seed varieties perform. This idea enables farmers to learn that both local and hybrid seeds are all advantageous and not any one type should be abandoned. Kamima acknowledges that local seed varieties are very good because they are disease resistant as compared to improved seed varieties which are easily attacked by diseases. “For instance, if you look at most hybrid maize, it is susceptible to Grey Leaf Spot (GLS). But, local maize seed such as Kalimwa and Pandawa are disease resistant which makes them suitable to survive despite changes in climatic conditions”, says Kamima. Research conducted by the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also confirms that local seed varieties are able to withstand many diseases that hybrid seed varieties are prone to. This shows that farmers should not stop growing local seed varieties. Of significance, is to take cognizant of the farmers’commentaries concerning variation of yields of both local and hybrid varieties, which has its own merits and demerits. Clearly, what is required is a pragmatic approach aimed at creating more awareness among farmers to seriously re-consider utilizing local seed varieties as they are tangible benefits of food security and commercial value. If anything, front-line staff are critical at this point to inculcate the value of growing local seed varieties as a way of preserving the African seeds.

LIMALINKS EMPOWERS YOUTH FARMER!!!

By HAPPY MULOLANI SINCE independence, Zambia is predominately a mining country which has particularly been dependent on copper mining. But, in recent years, copper mining has slumped due to a myriad of factors such as the decline of copper prices on the world market. In view of this, government realized the need for diversification, specifically the agriculture sector, given the vast abundant arable land and untapped natural resources. According to the Seventh National Plan, government emphasizes on the agriculture sector as a socio-economic driver and boost to the economic status of the country. This approach is meant to diversify the Zambian economy in a bid to transform the economy of the country through productively making use of the abundant arable land and resources. Although the country possesses abundant arable land and natural resources which farmers utilize for their agriculture activities, their access to credible market information has been unreliable. This has meant lack of information on market prices and potential markets in different farming enterprises, posing a threat to farmers as they have been vulnerable to brief-case traders who tend to manipulate the prevailing market prices and offer low prices for farmers’ commodities. Such a situation has disadvantaged small-scale farmers from making tangible profits from their produce in different farming enterprises they engage in. Often, young people are discouraged from venturing into farming because of poor access to market prices and unreliable markets. Despite these hurdles, immediate interventions aimed at addressing farmers’ access to market information via mobile phone have been initiated by a non-governmental organization. LimaLinks is a non-governmental organization whose primary objective is to assist small-scale farmers by linking them to potential markets. This is done through mobile phones by providing valuable information to enable small-scale farmers make informed decisions and sale their produce to identified markets at reasonable prices. The organization not only aims at empowering small-scale farmers with vital information with prevailing market prices but also partners with market agents to better serve the farmers. LimaLinks Sales and Business Administrator Tamara Munyati says market agents are positioned in every catchment area and collaborate with LimaLinks in order to assist farmers with market information on a daily basis to enable them sale their produce at reasonable prices to identified markets. This eases manipulation of market prices as farmers are well vest with the prevailing market prices of various commodities. And Lima Links Farmer Trainer Associate Joseph Mizinga explains that LimaLinks uses airtel as the service provider to create awareness on the daily prevailing market information to small-scale farmers. The advantage is that the service is offered to farmers at no cost and allows more farmers to access market prices at their convenience. “All farmers need to do is use any mobile phone and dial *789# and select the different available commodity prices, by doing so, farmers are able to have a higher negotiating power because they are aware of the daily pricing of the different commodities on the market,” says Mr. Mizinga. He acknowledges not all farmers use airtel network but other networks. This, he argues is the reason LimaLinks is considering providing the service on other networks to fully cater for a wider range of farmers. Against all odds, a young farmer ventured in various agriculture enterprises in 2015 as a source of livelihood. Benson Munsanje, aged 26, is a youth small-scale farmer in Chiombo district in Central province, who opted to engage in farming due to lack of employment. Mr. Munsanje turned to agriculture after his quest to secure employment flopped. His first stint was with a security company upon completing his secondary education. He realised the pay check was inadequate to sustain his personal and family needs. Due to his low earnings, he decided to pursue another job option to better his earnings. Unfortunately, even his second job did not meet his expectations as he earned very little, prompting him to quit. These experiences compelled Munsanje to turn to farming as an alternative avenue to sustain himself and support his family. Mr. Munsanje recounts his first experience when he faced difficulties in selling his produce at Soweto market in Lusaka because of the middlemen who are in the habit of manipulating market prices. This system of trade tends to deprive farmers of making reasonable profits because of the low prices offered for their produce. Consequently, Mr. Munsanje cautiously took up farming by cultivating a lesser hectarge to avoid losses that were likely to be encountered at the point of sale. He embarked on cultivating tomatoes and onions because of a readily available market and traded at reasonable prices amidst price manipulation. However, Mr. Munsanje’s story changed when he became aware of LimaLinks and their provision of market information on a daily basis and linkage to prospective buyers. This awareness increased his negotiating power whenever selling his produce to prospective markets. “Despite the dictates of the market, I realized the underlying potential farming presented especially after I learnt of LimaLinks’s provision of market information every day. It also enabled me to start cultivating a wider range of profitable crops such as soya beans, beans, water melon and sweet potatoes,” he said. With LimaLinks’s provision of access to market information on various commodities, it has inculcated a sense of awareness of potential markets thereby contributing to increased hectarge. “I have increased my area under cultivation. Out of 4.5 hectares of my farm, I now cultivate three hectares of a variety of crops meant for sale as compared to the one hectare I used to cultivate in the past due to uncertainties and manipulation of the market pricing of commodities,” says Mr. Munsanje. It is evident, the intervention of LimaLinks in providing market information to small-scale farmers’ has created awareness on the various commodity prices and type of existing market. Clearly, making market prices available is a necessity for empowering farmers in order for them to not only make informed decisions on what crops to grow but also promotes market linkage. .

GOVERNMENT DONATION

By HAPPY MULOLANI GOVERNMENT through the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) has donated 10 vehicles worth K3.5Million to the Department of Agribusiness and Marketing in the Ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture Permanent Songowayo Zyambo commended the programme for the support rendered, noting that the vehicles will enable the department to facilitate and implement the programmes activities which relate to the promotion of agribusiness and stakeholder. Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo, Director of Human Resource Morgan Malambo said during the hand-over ceremony in Lusaka recently. He said the provision of the vehicles will ease the implementation of the programme activities. E-SAPP Programme Coordinator Kwibisa Lywalii says every province has been allocated a vehicle to enable them execute the programme’s activities in order to contribute to the development objective of increasing the volume and value of agribusiness production by smallholder farmers. And Director of Agribusiness Kezia Katyamba urged staff to ensure they utilise the vehicles for the intended purpose of promoting agribusiness interventions among smallholder farmers in the 10 provinces areas of commodity of focus. E-SAPP is a programme under the Ministry of Agriculture and jointly funded by the Government of the Republic and the International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme’s main goal is aimed at increasing the incomes, food and nutrition security of rural households involved in market-oriented agriculture. E-SAPP is working with 61,000households in 30 focal districts countrywide. It is being implemented nationally and focuses on four commodity groups which include legumes, small livestock, rice and aquaculture.

FARMERS EMPOWERMENT

By HAPPY MULOLANI Government through the Ministry of Agriculture has called on agriculture field staff to stimulate farmer’s business acumen as they implement the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) in the focal districts in Eastern province. Eastern Province Provincial Agricultural Coordinator Alex Chilala says field staff need to acquaint themselves with the programme’s selection criteria and eligibility under the different categories of smallholder farmers under the programme. Mr Chilala said eligible farmers will be empowered with matching grants in their enterprises in order to boost farming as a business. This facility will enable smallholder farmers to be self-sustainable in their farming enterprises. He said such support will allow more smallholder farmers to be equipped with business knowledge through the series of capacity building and trainings the programme is expected to offer during its lifespan. And E-SAPP Programme Coordinator Kwibisa Liywalii says staff need to be committed to promote the programme goals which are tailored towards contributing to increased food security, business linkages and incomes. Mr Liywalii said the programme will empower smallholder farmers through farming as a business field schools which will be the window of interaction. Through these farmer field schools in the focal districts, farmers will be trained in the different value chain commodities which the programme is supporting which include; small livestock, legumes, aquaculture and rice. He urged smallholder farmers to develop a business acumen in farmers in order to promote an entrepreneurship culture in order for them to progress in their enterprises. Mr Liywalii said the lessons learnt and shared will enable farmers to facilitate the programme goal of business linkages and interventions for improved food security, nutrition security and increased incomes. This is in line with the Ministry of Agriculture’s mandate of attaining increased food security and income. The Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) is a seven year programme funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) valued at a total cost of US$29.7million. It is a programme under the Ministry of Agriculture whose goal is to contribute to improved food security, nutrition and incomes of smallholder farmers in 30 focal districts targeting 61,000 smallholder farmers countrywide.

FOOD SECURITY

By HAPPY MULOLANI THE Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) has implored agriculture and livestock field staff to contribute towards improved food security and incomes of smallholder farmers in the country. E-SAPP Programme Manager Kwibisa Liywalii said staff play a key role in achieving food security and increased income through the programme’s value chain interventions. Mr Liywalii made the call in Kabwe during a programme coordination and implementation workshop which drew participants from all ten provinces in the country which includes Senior Marketing Officers, Provincial Agricultural Planners and other stakeholders from Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. And E-SAPP Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Christopher Kambole said the programme appreciates the critical role of staff and key stakeholders in identifying and exchange of knowledge with the E-SAPP environment as this will result in shared learning for smallholder farmers, stakeholders and partners. Speaking at the same event, Central Province Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Dr Alishekwe Mutemwa urged agriculture and livestock staff to work collaboratively with the programme and other stakeholders in its endeavour to empower smallholder farmers with appropriate skills and knowledge to uplift their livelihoods. The programme coordination and implementation workshop seeks to promote effective team building through coordinated planning, implementation and shared learning. It also aims at streamlining implementation mechanisms, strategies as well as define roles and responsibilities which will also provide an avenue to inform and prepare E-SAPP service providers and other implementing partners in the agriculture sector. E-SAPP is a seven year programme under the Ministry of Agriculture funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme is valued at a total cost of US$29.7 million. Its overall objective is to contribute towards enhancing smallholder farmers’ livelihoods through improved food security and increased income.

E-SAPP TO SUPPORT FARMERS THROUGH MATCHING GRANTS

By HAPPY MULOLANI ONE of the ways of empowering smallholder farmers in their farming and business enterprises is to strengthen their access to finance and capacity building. This is premised on the argument that most smallholder farmers lack adequate support in their enterprises thereby affecting their production levels. Against this backdrop, Matching grants is one of the facilities initiated through the Enhanced Smallholder Agricultural Business Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) meant to support smallholder farmers in their Intervention Plans (IPs). The programme is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Matching grants are being offered to smallholder farmers over three windows under E-SAPP which draws lessons from its predecessor programme, the Smallholder Agricultural Business Promotion Programme (SAPP). The different windows are referred to as Category A, Category B and Category C farmers. Category A farmers refers to smallholder farmers who are identified and placed in Farming As A Business schools (FaaBs). Through these FaaBs in focal districts of the programme, smallholder farmers are equipped with knowledge in the different Intervention Plans (IP) which includes legumes, groundnuts, soya beans, and common beans. Others include: livestock, rice and aquaculture that the programme supports. Then, farmers graduate to Category B where they are now confident and emergent. In this category, they can engage in different enterprises after going through the process of capacity building. Lastly, Category C refers to farmers whose commercial viability is key and also possesses appropriate governance skills. This category is not restricted to smallholder’s farmers nor the programme’s supported commodities. The advantage of this category is that it broadens support offered for various commodities. This will enable a steady progression of beneficiaries in their enterprises. In retrospect, it is envisaged that even post E-SAPP, the idea is these businesses will keep flourishing and positively impact on smallholder farmers entrepreneur endeavours. The programme’s support towards this category of smallholder farmers is not restricted in terms of the enterprises the programme supports unlike category A and category B which specifically caters for smallholder farmers. This is workable through establishing linkages with programmes which offer support to farmers tailored to their intervention plans. Through providing finance to smallholder farmers, they are able to not only diversify in various intervention plans to enable them attain increased food security, nutrition and self- sustainability. In an E-SAPP Matching Grant Facility and category selection guidelines orientation workshop, Ministry of Agriculture Director of Policy and Planning John Kalumbi says E-SAPP is a more inclusive programme meant to build capacity in subsistence farmers to allow them not only produce for consumption but also actively participate in the prioritised agricultural value chains. Unlike its predecessor programme which focused on economically active farmers. “The programme goals is in line with the seventh national development plan which focuses on an inclusion approach in the development process”, Mr. Kalumbi. And E-SAPP Programme Coordinator Kwibisa Liywalii says the programme supports Intervention Plans (IPs) specifically in the programme’s 30 focal districts countrywide which translates to 61, 000 smallholder farmers. Accordingly, Mr. Liywalii points out smallholder farmers need to own the programme by contributing 40 percent towards their own enterprises as a committment to succeed in their endeavours. He retaliates that E-SAPP builds on lessons learnt from the predecessor programme known as Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (SAPP). The key difference between SAPP and E-SAPP is the former contributed both in kind and cash towards their farming enterprises, whereas the latter considers cash contribution as committment towards their own enterprise. This is premised on the understanding that both smallholder farmers and partners need to show commitment and ensure their enterprises succeed. E-SAPP Matching Grants Management Officer Elemson Muyanga gives an insight into how benefitting smallholder farmers will access grants to support their intervention plans in the value chain. These grants vary across three windows. The first window is only meant for subsistence farmers who are expected to benefit from the programme’s intervention and are specifically smallholder farmers. This window will exhaust 45 grants available in focal districts translating to 30 districts, whereas, window two will only exhaust 24 grants. In addition, the first window will go through scrutiny via the District Agricultural Coordinator’s office and finally at Programme Coordinator’s Office. While window two will also follow the same route. For window three, the approach is different from the first and second windows in the sense that grants will be implemented through service providers. This implies service providers will be tasked with mobilization and engagement of the different intervention plans of smallholder farmers. Mr. Muyanga explains that the only applications that will be considered are those from farmer groups in focal districts where the programme is targeting smallholder farmers engaged in E-SAPP’s commodities of focus. It is for this reason that staff need to consider and prioritise viable farmers who meet the selection criteria. He emphasizes that not every good proposal is viable for E-SAPP hence the need for staff to assist smallholder farmers come up with feasible proposals to not only facilitate value addition to their products but also be an investment to their aspirations and visions. He points out that the next criteria will look at whether smallholder farmers have graduated from farming as a business schools (FaaBs) whose aim is to build capacity in farmers concerning their commodities of focus. “In 116 districts, FaaBs will become centres where farmers will be organized and anchor farming as a business endeavour” says Mr. Muyanga. Southern Province Senior Marketing and Development Cooperatives Officer Sandonda Tembo holds the view that E-SAPP has a more inclusive approach given that its taken on board more commodities of focus. This, he says broadens the scope of the programme’s support towards farmers intervention plans. In this way, more smallholder famers will be supported particularly in the focal districts which is likely to have a spill-over effect to other non focal districts in the ten provinces in the country. Mr. Tembo observes that the programme’s categorisation of farmers allows farmers to be well-grounded and also assess the capacity of the farmers before they graduate to the next category. Such an approach will enable staff and service providers to track farmers’ progression in their commodities of focus. And Pemba Acting District Marketing and Development Officer Kuheza Chitula is elated with E-SAPP’s matching grant intervention, as the funds will allow smallholder farmers to improve their commodity crops being supported within the E-SAPP value chain. Mr. Chitula also adds that the inclusion of agriculture field staff from the inception of the programme intervention is key to its success as opposed to the predecessor programme SAPP where staff were brought on board after the programme had already gained ground. He is optimistic that the conceptualization of E-SAPP which is premised on lessons learnt from SAPP is a good starting point which is likely to yield positive results if properly implemented. The programme’s intervention is meant to focus on building capacity in smallholder farmers to become very viable. Through FaaBs, the programme endeavours to re-think its approach from training to empowering smallholder farmers in their different commodities of focus in their respective farming communities. With E-SAPP’s anticipated support to smallholder farmers in various enterprises, it is hoped that smallholder farmers will be able to steadily progress in their enterprises in order to improve their livelihoods through increased food security, nutrition and incomes.

E-SAPP TO SUPPORT SMALLHOLDER FARMERS COUNTRYWIDE

By HAPPY MULOLANI ACCESS to finance among smallholder farmers in Zambia is one of the key challenges affecting their production levels. However, this situation has presented an opportunity for agriculture programmes with an agribusiness focus to come up with strategies and mechanisms aimed at building capacities and equip smallholder farmers through appropriate linkages with key players and stakeholders. Against this backdrop, an intervention programme Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) has come up with mechanisms to empower smallholder farmers who have been classified in different categories meant to strengthen their production capacities. E-SAPP is a seven year programme funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme is valued at a total cost of US$29.7 million. The major part of financing is $21.2 million which is an IFAD loan, while the Government of the Republic of Zambia will provide $2million. The core financer for the Platform Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) is US$2million. Whereas, the Indaba of Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) will make available US$0.51million. And the private sector and those partnering will provide US$3.46 towards the implementation of the programme. E-SAPP is a programme under the Ministry of Agriculture, which is also the lead agency and implementing agency. Its overall goal is to increase incomes and food and nutrition security to rural households for market oriented agriculture. In a recent orientation meeting for all provincial and district staff on the Matching Grants Facility (MGF) Operational Manual and Guidelines for Southern and Western provinces held in Livingstone, E-SAPP Programme Coordinator Kwibisa Liywalii says the programme is working to build capacity in 61,000 smallholder farmers in 30 focal districts and 60 focal camps countrywide. Its intended goal is to reach out to 40,000 subsistence smallholder farmers in the commodities of focus. “The programme will partner with Market intermediaries (MSMEs) in order to reach out to 16,000 economically active smallholder farmers. It will also partner with large agribusiness players to reach 5,000 commercially active smallholder farmers”, says Mr. Liywalii. The programme will support smallholder farmers engaged in targeted commodities and these are: legumes includes groundnuts, soya beans, and common beans. Others include: livestock, rice and aquaculture. Mr Liywalii urged agriculture field staff that the success of the programme is dependent on their concerted efforts towards building capacity and supporting smallholder farmers in their business enterprises already outlined. And E-SAPP Agribusiness Manager Emmanuel Mulenga says the programme is a multi commodity programme which involves line ministries where commodities are located. The programme endeavours to also provide interventions tailored towards strengthening cooperative societies, which is being implemented by institutions and service providers. “The Ministry of Agriculture is the lead executing agency and will collaborate with other line ministries such as Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Youth and Sport, Ministry of Community Development. This is not conclusive, depending on intervention other key programme can also be brought in. This will be implemented through existing structures”, says Mr. Mulenga. He further explains E-SAPP is an agribusiness programme with the Department of Policy and Planning under the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for the overall coordination of the programme in all the provinces through the provincial office which falls under the Provincial Agricultural Coordinator and the Planner. These two provincial staff ensure the execution of activities on the ground is spearheaded by agribusiness and marketing at provincial and district levels. It is envisaged that this process of value chain players and key players’ interaction will facilitate access to markets through sustainable partners. In this way, the Department of Policy and Planning will give overall oversight and coordination in achieving the programmes goals. He adds that E-SAPP will be achieved through two technical components. First, the environment needs to be enabling for the development and growth for agribusiness. This component will be handled by IAPRI who will deal with agriculture policy development to analyse appropriate policies. For example, IAPRI will play a key role in reviewing both old and new various acts and policy documents. This will ensure agribusiness is properly facilitated and implemented by various stakeholders and various actors. Second, the provision of institutional strengthening for agribusiness intervention. This will entail facilitating smallholder farmers increasing their volumes and having access to markets. This will be done through strategic linkages of graduating subsistence farmers. E-SAPP’s inception and its key intervention areas among smallholder farmers has elated key stakeholders, line ministries, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries which will work closely with implementing and executing the programme’s objectives. Southern Province Provincial Agricultural Coordinator Max Choombe says the programme fits well with the ministry’s mandate of agro promotion and business. Dr Choombe advised extension field staff to own the programme and focus on improving farmers livelihoods through capacity building. He further noted that the programme goals will improve farmers’ status given that the majority of farmers in the province are at subsistence level. This implies that the involvement of the programme in agribusiness will trigger increased production of smallholder farmer’s enterprises. Dr Choombe also pointed out that E-SAPP was building on the predecessor programme Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (SAPP) in building capacities in smallholder farmers and strengthening linkages to enable smallholders attain increased food security, nutrition and incomes, which is also in line with the Ministry’s mandate of promoting food security and increased incomes. While, Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Charles Lwanga explains that the programme objectives and goals need to be adhered to effectively implement the programme. “It is also important to have mechanisms that will promote self-sustainability for the sake of continuity once the programme phases out”, says Mr. Lwanga. This is on premised on the understanding that many intervention programmes initiated in the past to support smallholder farmers often become white elephants when they phase out. It is hoped once the programme ends with the amount of work and efforts invested in smallholder farmers; it will be sustainable and ensure mechanisms to assure self-sustenance. The progamme appreciates the concerns raised over sustainability given that there have been arguments on many programmes being pro-poor. But, E-SAPP Knowledge Management Officer Mwila Kayula believes that with all the funds pumped in building capacity and empowering smallholders, the programme will set a benchmark to farmers to be self-sustainable once it phases out. E-SAPP’s approach is unique in that they are promoting strategies in order for farmers to develop business acumen in their enterprises. Ultimately, this will inculcate an entrepreneurial culture to enable farmers graduate from farming as a business schools which is meant to impart and equip farmers with business knowledge. Such trainings and capacity building will trigger increased agriculture and livestock production in the province thereby contributing to food security and increased income.

THE EXPO NORTHWEST ZAMBIA 2019

By HAPPY MULOLANI- The theme of the NorthWest expo is : the hidden treasure of Northwest! Expos are among one of the ways in which provinces market themselves through showcasing the natural resources and beauty that provinces are endowed with. National Coordinator Christopher Bwalya described Northwestern as one of the provinces where hope of rest as the mineral resources. Gold, copper, fertile soils, abundant rains and strategic location. Its boundaries with the Democratic Republic of Congo and provides opportunities with other gate ways. It has abundant resources in the forms of human resource, semi skilled. The province has immense resources, it has all it takes to be a ''hub of Zambia.''The northwest is a province that we will all be looking forward to. How does sustain how this expo, its to invest heavily in technology. Models of e-library to process information and also train youths through facilities that will empower youths. North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu in his keynote address at Taj Pamdozi hotel in Lusaka, said the event is of significance in that it signifies the importance of the upcoming expo dubbed expo ''2019: unveiling hidden treasures''. The province has 11 districts with Solwezi as the provincial capital. Each of the districts presents unique potential. "We share boundaries with Angola, and Congo. Noting that this strategic location provides potential leading to access to large markets. Little was known about this province save for it being the lest developed". The north west is now referred to the new ''Copperbelt of Zambia'' because of discovery of large mineral deposits. It is also home to some of the largest mines - Kansanshi, Lumwana and several other mines dotted across the province. Some of the common minerals include copper, cobalt, gold, among others. The province is not only endowed with mining but livestock and aquaculture development. It also has pinepal, honey, and maize grain and the famous solwezi beans. This makes it a suitable region for agricultural production. In addition, it is also a major producer of timber. Overall, the connection of the province to the national grid positions its to the outside world in real time. In the tourism sector, Zambezi river makes it renowned as province. Mr Mubukwani observes that although not much has been published in recognition of the national heritage. "We are home to various national parks, Kafue, west lunga and Zambezi grass lands in far west. He notes the essence of the expo is to market all these tourist sites in these places. "We are home to Chiengi and various civilization caves dotted around the province. Rich cultural diversity comprising diverse cultures in order to attract tourists who will turn boost revenue and forex to the country. With with the current population boom, there's increased population to meet demands of the prevailing trend. The expo will be held between 18-24 August, 2019 in Solwezi. This will be a unique time to unveil the hidden treasure of Zambia. It will be a special trend that brings both local and foreign institutions-industries engaged in agriculture research, education, mining, tourism and place special emphasis on participation of youth people. It will give opportunity to develop immense tools aimed at attracting investment into the province of diversified agriculture and forest, manufacturing and seek value addition. In this way, it will contribute to actualization of the investment in the province. Some of the specific objectives of the expo will be to compile market profiles, to promote real time interactions with key stakeholders, traditional leaders. To trigger investment attracting both local and foreign investors by providing key information to offer economic options they can tap. The expo will bring about true value, such investment will stimulate growth across all sectors. Minister Mubukwanu made a passionate appeal to all stakeholders and players to generously support this cause, as this event is a timely cause of bringing in financial resources. He called on the media to fully engage in documenting all pertinent sectors through all forms of media avenues such as - features, news packages, documentaries. Mr Mubukwanu appealed for creativity adding that the more reason of hosting this media breakfast was to ensure all stakeholders and media play an active role in dissemination of the build up to the expo. Building this partnership with the media is not only unique but will be impactful in the provision of the free flow of information It is anticipated that these expo conversations will step up and include all players ranging from mall scale, commercial, entrepreneurs. Other successful expos hosted are Luapula and Northern provinces. Government intends to open up this country side to open up and investment opportunities for meaningful investment.