SENIOR AGRO SCRIBE BADES FAREWELL TO THE CIVIL SERVICE

By HAPPY MULOLANI 

MOST civil servants tend to be gripped with fear for their lives once they retire from the civil service. In particular, once they reach their 50s years, they begin to engage in self-introspection of whether they invested adequately or devoted their energies towards a better life once they exit public office.

This is not the case with Mutukelwa Mukelabai who joined the civil service in the Ministry of Agriculture in 1982. He felt ready to leave the stage while people were still clapping at the initial 55 years retirement, if it was not for the change in retirement ages in 2015, which at the time needed clarity. Against all odds, he began pursuing his Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University of Zambia in 2018 when he was 57 years. His thematic area of focus was marriage and conflicts, a unique field he explored which saw him graduate virtually in 2020 amid the dreaded Corona Virus (COVID-19).

He entered the service in 1982 as an Agricultural Commodity Demonstrator after undergoing an Agricultural Induction training at Kanchomba Farm Institute in Pemba. The job entailed working closely with farmers demonstrating basic production techniques in specific commodities which included maize, sunflower, cotton, groundnuts and livestock. After serving for one and half years at Senkobo camp in Livingstone, he enrolled for a two year Certificate in Agriculture at Monze School of Agriculture. Upon graduation, he was appointed as an Agricultural Assistant. Later, he was elevated to District Agricultural Information Officer, thereafter pursued a Diploma in Agriculture at the Natural Resources Development College in Lusaka. At this point, he rose to the position of Radio Producer in Lusaka where he produced English radio programmes and was commonly known as “AgroMan.”

“I was happy to meet people who testified that they were influenced by my programmes as radio producer…to take up farming, take agriculture as a career, farmers improving their production by applying technology from radio broadcasts, students too that were helped with agricultural information in their training through the radio programmes,” says Mr Mukelabai.

He was elevated to Provincial Agricultural Information Officer based in Eastern province. While serving in Eastern province, a project under African Development Bank (ADB) began a four year project aimed at supporting agriculture interventions in the province among smallholder farmers. Ordinarily he would have stayed on and worked with the project, for both experience and also earn himself some money for his own personal investments, but he opted to pursue a four year, Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Namibia at what he describes “late in life.”

“I entered University at 39 years of age but worked hard, applied myself well and deservedly graduated with Cumlaude, as Best Student in the School of Humanities, and awarded the Chancellors Medal for outstanding academic performance,” revealed Mr Mukelabai. 

His academic trajectory typically shows his ambition, determination and value for education despite the many opportunities of pursuing other attractive renumerating options.

A blend of the two professions is a rare attribute of holding agriculture and journalism but a vital combination which positioned him for effective communication to farmers for better extension work using mass media.

When he returned to Eastern province, the ADB project had phased out. Unsurprisingly, his career path took shape within a short space, as he was recommended to take over the position of Head-NAIS, now re-titled to Deputy Director, a position, he gladly accepted.

He admits that the position came with enormous responsibilities to shoulder, at the same time had its own set of challenges. It also provided a learning curve as he interacted with high level officials in the Ministry and key stakeholders engaged in agriculture development. He also faced a daunting task of image building of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and also strengthening its linkage with the external media.

Mr Mukelabai is one of the few who has served NAIS for 39 years, from the lowest structure of the Ministry from camp, district, provincial and national headquarters. This provided the required experience at all levels including the field for effective discharge of duties, which made him a suitable candidate for the post.

As he explains, “I rose through the ranks, on merit, a combination of attaining required qualifications, while serving and work experience at all levels, from Commodity Demonstrator to Deputy Director.”

Married with three children, Mr Mukelabai has shown leadership also to his family even through his academic pursuits which has seen his children emulate his value for education by pursuing their studies at the University of Namibia in Electrical Engineering, Economics and Science respectively.

Being at the helm of NAIS has been characterized with a set of challenges mainly centred on programming given its mandate to provide timely agricultural and extension messages to farmers and key players in the agriculture value chain through the different available forms of media.

Mr Mukelabai observed that paying for airtime on the national broadcaster, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to air documentaries and radio programmes has been strenuous amidst its limited resource envelope.  

For almost a year, NAIS only relied on the Press and Public Relations and Publications section covering and disseminating agriculture and technical information through various avenues of the print and broadcast media which mainly focused on news, news packages and feature articles. Partly, this affected the operations of NAIS for a while and its relevance to the farmers.

For instance, in 2019 all programming for radio programmes and documentaries were suspended due to a staggering bill of over K3, 000,000. Fortunately, the Ministry of Finance rescued NAIS by clearing off the bill. Evidently, such an amount is beyond NAIS’s allocated operational funds in the yellow book every year.

A better way of navigating this problem led to the birth of a Radio Station to continue serving the farmers whose objectives and goals NAIS strives to meet, given that farmers mostly rely on radio as the most available and cheapest medium of communication. Over the years, NAIS’s utmost priority has been to promote agriculture information and innovation through the integrated mass media meant to support the stressed extension service in information dissemination to farmers and stakeholders.

As part of his legacy, Mr Mukelabai is elated to exit NAIS having pioneered Lima Radio 106.9 Fm, which is cost effective and more interactive with farmers. The radio station is one of NAIS’s landmark achievements as it will widely air agricultural radio programmes to farmers and all players countrywide. Besides, he also advocated and lobbied for NAIS to be elevated to a full department in order to better serve farmers, though only achieved the elevation of Head NAIS to Deputy Director, one step to achieving directory status. Having presided over a cadre of highly specialized and qualified journalists, the attainment of department status remains his desire.

 “All attributes for a Department are in place, geographical spread and structure from district, province and national headquarters, variety of specialized functions, press, public relations, radio, television, publications, number of personnel, professionally qualified staff,” emphasizes Mr Mukelabai.  

To strengthen its core mandate, he proposes setting up a television station of its own, to present its unique agriculture programmes to farmers and players affordably in order to consistently provide service.

Fellow staff who worked with Mr Mukelabai during his reign hold his contributions in high esteem; Chief Agricultural Information Officer, Stubbs Malambo, a close colleague over the years reminiscences, “He has been my travelling buddy since our early 20s at college and work. I will forever remember him for pulling me back to the Ministry when I had almost left for teaching at Evelyn Hone College. He really wanted us to complete the journey together, but it has not to be…adieu Mukels!” Cameraman, Moses Katota recalls; I traversed many parts of this country with Mr Mukelabai and had a good working relationship over the years, I will greatly miss him as a colleague and friend. Whereas, Senior Agricultural Information Officer, Natasha Mhango says “For me I’d say he was a very humane boss who understood the balance between work and home life. This made him very approachable and even made someone comfortable enough to confide in him even in personal issues.”

While NAIS Senior Reporter, Lillian Mumba says “Mr Mukelabai has been a good leader. Even when he is not happy about something, he does not raise his voice in anger… He is like an elder brother guiding his younger siblings. He does not forget to write or make a radio interview despite his senior position.” And Reporter, Josiah Mpofu recounts “Mr Mukelabai is a man with a heart to help those around him, he does not look at whether you are related or not. For me, I can call him Father because he is a father to everyone. The few years I have spent with him in service he has been an encouragement to me and he has taught me that love should be shown to everyone regardless of the circumstances.”

TV Producer, David Chisanga feels sad at the departure of Mr Mukelabai but counts it all joy for teaching him to be persistence in his work, “I count it a blessing to have Mr Mukelabai as a boss. lnfact, he was my mentor and, more so, a father. He would counsel me from time to time and cheer me on. It’s sad he’s retiring from civil service, but I’m confident he’s not retiring from being a good father to me and young people. My appeal to him is to find time and continue mentoring us young men.”

And Southern Province Provincial Agricultural Information Officer, Lawrence Kabutu explains “We celebrate his departure from the civil service because we gained immensely from his experience in the area of creation of a new radio station for NAIS for dissemination of agriculture information to our clients the farmers, lobbying for agro news in Times of Zambia with support from the Principal Agricultural Information Officer In-charge of Press Happy Mulolani, lobbying for space also in AgriCoop newspaper and Daily nation newspapers. Other television stations include ABN were NAIS news has been established. All these special strides and others not itemized are aimed at ensuring NAIS visibility in dissemination of agriculture information and technologies to farmers aimed at ensuring household food security, increased nutrition and income among rural farmers…he also ensured public events such as National Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka between the Ministry of Agriculture and Show society was well handled and coordinated between the society, ministry and provinces. The success of such events was partly as a result of his contribution in that area.”

District Agricultural Information Officer for Livingstone, Prisca Kabwe Nyirenda reflects “Mr Mukelabai is a fair and just person, respectful of others whether old or young. Mr Mukelabai was committed to developing a sense of community and team spirit in the NAIS family. He knew how to connect with officers and engaged in open communication and was very approachable. I feel close to him because I am always free to call him and you can sense the respect and consideration in the tone of his voice. He is one leader who believes in the growth of NAIS as he believed and supported the structure on the ground. He recognized the presence of DAIOs and their important role. I personally have covered a number of assignments which Mr Mukelabai directed organisations to contact me for coverage. He encouraged personal and professional development of officers…and also recognized the potential of someone whether young or old. I remember when l was only a few years in service, even though young and inexperienced he accorded me an opportunity to head NAIS Western province…though I was unable to take up the offer due to circumstances beyond my control at the time.” And District Agricultural Information Officer for Chilanga, Dorcas Kabuuya states “Mr Mukelabai was also passionate about NAIS becoming a department…he had a great vision for NAIS and would take it to greater heights. It is suffice to note that with his team at HQ, they have managed to deliver the much anticipated radio station for NAIS. Though he has retired, we shall continue using the radio station.”

Eastern Province Agricultural Information Officer, Gloria Siwisha says “I feel so sorry sir to learn that you’re leaving NAIS as I have never met anyone who believes so much in the power that good agricultural reporting has towards societal transformation as you do. I wish you the best in the next journey of your career. Thank you for being a hardworking and fantastic boss.”

Radio Producer, Charity Vuttah Chikumbe recalls “I have known Mr Mukelabai since 1985 at Monze College of Agriculture where he was my senior little did I know he will be my deputy Director. When I joined NAIS in 1987 I found him as an English Radio Producer in Lusaka. In 2009, I was transferred to Lusaka to Act as Radio Producer then I met him as Deputy Director (NAIS)...His commitment to duty and selfless behaviour vividly portrayed in his humble leadership style, so unique indeed. Go well our humble leader and may God prosper you as you start a new life in your retirement.”                             

On a personal note, he helped me achieve career growth while under his charge and I will greatly miss him.

Mr Mukelabai’s tenacity, vision, love, and attributes of encouraging officers to work extra hard in the core business of agriculture information dissemination has left a mark for the remaining staff to continue pursuing a dream of creating an agriculture television station having established a radio station that will soon be rolled to all provinces once transmitters are sourced and placed in provincial stations by collaborating partners. His humility and respect to all members of staff will be missed as he easily interacted with all staff under his charge as Head of NAIS.

Mr Mukelabai’s exiting the civil service has left an indelible mark which others need to take a leaf from. Ultimately, what counts is how he will be remembered for the immense contributions towards the welfare of NAIS and service to farmers and stakeholders.

ZAMBIA CALLED TO BOOST DATA CAPTURE SYSTEM

By HAPPY MULOLANI

THE need to enhance data capture is key if Zambia is to progress on an upward trajectory in order to contribute to the research and development of the agriculture sector.

One of the concerns is to have a multisectoral system with respect to how data is captured and shared to various stakeholders and players. 

For this reason, the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is implementing a CAADPX4 Programme which is funded by the European Union (EU) and administered by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is implemented in collaboration with African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services in East and Central Africa (ASARECA), West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa.

The programme is focusing on knowledge management strategies and data capture guidelines that will facilitate collection of data to meet the national commitments. To facilitate the effective implementation of information, communication management (ICKM), a national consultative workshop of key stakeholders involved in data capture across government ministries was recently held in Chisamba.

The purpose of the meeting was for CCARDESA to learn and draw lessons from national stakeholders on how organisations in Zambia collect information Malabo commitments data and reports are presented in line with the CAADP-XP4 Biennial report.

CCARDESA Consultant Fallys Masambuka highlighted that the necessity for tackling the bottlenecks amid data capture processes. Despite these concerns, Dr Masambuka observed that the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) has been instrumental in disseminating agriculture information to farmers and stakeholders, but more effort needs to be approached in a more focused and coordinated manner.

Dr Kanchewa remarked that there is lack of institutional support, which has affected how information is shared. The realization that most reports shared focus on project activities rather than on the Malabo Declaration is worrisome. It is also pacifying that when project activities are donor dependent, sustaining the process has been a serious challenge as it has affected coordination.

Dr Kanchewa further observed that one of the problems is lack of data sharing and limited data capture and documentation of local and indigenous knowledge and experiences.

“The absence of guidelines and strategies on data capture (tools and technologies) needs to be seriously addressed,” she said.

Dr Kanchewa emphasized that roles in terms of how monitoring and evaluation is done, who owns data and who are the user’s needs to be take into account.

“How data capture is done in Zambia is important to know, what technologies are used, what formats are used, what framework is used, who uses data and what is happening beyond these organisations,” she stressed.

These underlining factors need to be concretised by policy guidelines about data capture in order to make data capture and sharing available and vibrant to government and stakeholders, as doing so will tap into the opportunities and existing strengths.

Identifying these bottlenecks is key to coming up with a data capture strategy meant to promote a system for sustainable agriculture productivity.

Dr Kanchewa disclosed that one of the objectives of this research is to create a meaningful environment where data capture and knowledge management in the country is enhanced among various stakeholders in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Malabo declaration. Ideally, this requires to support the establishment of a functional and user focused data which is currently lacking in how data is captured.

And one of the participants, who is also a Communications Specialist, Natasha Mhango, explains that one of the major problems affecting data capture is lack of experts sharing their expert views on topical issues. This not only slows down the process but also affects the quality of reports shared.

“Often reports tend to be inconsistent because they either lack quality information or have old information,” Ms Mhango said.

The national agriculture policy is key to boosting the key issues of data capture and importance of promoting disclosure of public information within government ministries and beyond.

While data capture is a matter of concern, the trend shows that since the Malabo Declaration and CAADP (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme) was initiated, some countries were performing fairly well up to 2019 but after that period, Rwanda is the only country which has been consistent.

“The preposition is to have a CAADP Champion who can influence decisions by interacting with politicians and other influential people on the potential benefits of enhancing agriculture development,” Chief Agricultural Economist, Christopher Mbewe, stressed.

This is premised on the understanding that to actualise and succeed in the implementation of a strategy of knowledge management and data capture

 the need for political will to exist if programmes of such a magnitude which require government support are to be.

Mr Mbewe explained that some people think CAADP is a project probably because of the way it was initiated. 

The progress in achieving the Malabo Declaration has been on a downward spiral due to lack of support systems that promote data capture hence the need to develop a data capture system. Suffice to state that the Malabo Declaration underscores the CAADP implementation as a national responsibility. CAADP is an African- led agenda initiative conceptualized to guide Africa’s agricultural transformation for sustained food security and socio-economic growth.

Presently, the country has no data protection policy on any form of data captured.

“Data protection for any form of data is not captured per se. There is also limited capacity to analyse data,” says Stephen Chundama from the Zambia Development Agency.

Mr Chundama also points out the need to strengthen governance structures in order to dismantle cylos. Evidently, structures are in place, it is just a matter of re-thinking how to make the system more efficient.

Clearly, there is need to have appropriate policies to protect indigenous data too.

Ultimately, there is need to support an integrated data capture system which should enhance adopted strategies and promote the agriculture sector and key players involved in this process.