LIVESTOCK INTERVENTIONS IN CHIRUNDU

 By HAPPY MULOLANI

LUSITU is a rural outpost located 35kilometres west of Chirundu district of Southern province. It is known to be in the valley where the area experiences high temperatures, as it is positioned in Region I of the Zambia Agro-Ecological Zone.

By virtue of its location in the valley, access to reliable water sources for livestock farmers has been one of the detrimental factors in their livestock value chain.

Chairperson of Manzoomwa Farming As A Business School (FaaBS), Alick Malunga confirmed that farmers in the area lacked access to reliable water sources as they drew water from the seasonal Lusitu stream, which easily dried up, they also did not have adequate land to rear their goats neither did they have modern goat housing structures.

Mr Malunga, who is also a livestock farmer, owns 35 goats. He attests to unreliable access to water supply due to dryness of the area and lack of improved goats.

“We were also rearing local goat breeds which have low market value,” Mr Malunga disclosed.

These challenges contributed to the low pricing of goats on the market, which did not yield a return on their efforts. This provided an opportunity for the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) to empower the smallholder farmers in organised groups, using the programme’s approach – Farming As A Business Schools. This approach enabled smallholder farmers to undergo livestock training and better methods of rearing goats for a season. Through four FaaBS, a total 417 smallholder farmers were trained in the livestock value chain. After which they were assessed and qualified for financing under the programme’s Matching Grant facility (MGF) of a total K1,400,000.

Of the approved funds, K615,000 was released towards the group’s first milestone coupled with their contribution, which went towards one solar panel, a borehole, two goat housing units, dip tank and the construction of a manager’s house. While the group will work towards the construction of a classroom and marketing slab once the additional funds are released for the remainder of the milestones they envision to undertake.

Mr Malunga disclosed that the support rendered to the farmers has enabled the four FaaBS put up a goat breeding centre with a production capacity of 200 goats for the two goat housing units already erected.

He says it is pacifying that the group through FaaBS, learnt about the importance of accessing improved goat breeds and management, thereby resulting in improved quality of goats and higher market value.

“Previously, a local goat was being sold at K150 but with improved breeds, the market price will increase to about K400, which is currently the range of prevailing market price and is a good return on farmers’ efforts,” Mr Malunga said.

He is glad that the water challenge has been resolved. This means the breeding centre can integrate with other activities such as gardening which require constant supply of water.

“At first, two dry boreholes were sunk, until a third borehole where we have found water at a depth of 90metres,” Mr Malunga sighed with relief.

It is encouraging that the initiative to come up with a goat breeding centre has stimulated interest among the traditional leadership, who immediately offered some tracts of land to set-up the breeding centre.

“Three Village Headmen offered land for the goat breeding centre. Village Headman Mungomba, Village Headman Siamwanjwa and Senior Headman Kwelele, who is the Chief’s representative collectively offered 54 hectares to set-up the goat breeding centre,” Mr Malunga revealed.

He explained that they offered the land through a letter of endorsement, which facilitated legalising of the land and also submission of plans for the proposed structure.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional leadership, Village Headman Mungomba expressed happiness that for a long time, farmers in the area lacked the basic facilities to boost their goat production capacities which affected their households’ food security and incomes.

Headman Mungomba reiterated that farmers need to take advantage of the breeding centre as they work towards expanding the facility in view of the ever increasing demand for goats.

E-SAPP Livestock Specialist, Lemmy Munsanje pointed out that the 54hectares of land allocated to the farmers by the traditional leadership was a good gesture as it was aimed at empowering the local farmers.

However, consideration should be made to increase more land to the breeding centre, as once its fully functional, the land may get smaller. Suffice to state that increasing land for such a productive venture will positively impact on the livelihoods in the area.

Senior Livestock Production Officer for Lusaka province, Bwalya Tembo pointed out that farmers needed to take into account the climatic changes and avoid the indiscriminate cutting of trees, as this can affect their environment.

Ms Tembo said it was necessary for farmers to engage in tree planting wherever trees had been cut to avert any effects such as deforestation.   

Whereas, E-SAPP Nutrition Specialist, Nalukui Sakala encouraged farmers to practise gardening within the confines of the breeding centre in order to uplift their nutrition status.

“She also called for active participation of women and youth in the livestock value chain as this will increase their nutrition status and incomes,” Ms Sakala said.

In essence, the programme’s FaaBS approach has worked progressively in resolving some smallholder farmers’ bottlenecks in Lusitu such as access to water, improved breeds and their management. Eventually, this improves their quality of goats which will enable them bargain for a higher price and an organised market. 

A major lesson learnt is that farmers need to be equipped with the right skills and support. Once this is done, the process of ownership and sustainability are guaranteed, only then will food security and incomes be enhanced.

COVID RELIEF SUPPORTS ISOKA FARMERS

 By HAPPY MULOLANI

The Corona Virus pandemic (COVID-19) has not spared most productive sectors globally, the agriculture sector is not an exception. In Zambia, the government has prioritized the agriculture sector as the second most important after mining. Given the status quo, most farmers especially smallholder farmers have been hit with the pandemic thereby negatively impacting on their food production and household food security levels in their respective value chains.

With this realization, the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) embarked on COVID-19 Relief measures meant to caution the farmers during the period the pandemic struck.

The premise of the COVID-19 Relief was to provide inputs, and other seedlings to boost the targeted farmers’ households’ food security levels in two selected pilot districts. The criteria for would be beneficiaries is based on the most food insecure districts affected by the pandemic and the ones with high levels of stunting. The idea is to support the targeted beneficiaries to be food secure during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to impart beneficiaries with adaptive and mitigative interventions aimed at reducing the negative impact of the pandemic.

According to the E-SAPP Concept Note, 150 female headed HHs and female members of households would initially be targeted in two selected pilot districts. This approach is expected to assist targeted beneficiaries learn coping strategies “such as kitchen gardening, food production and preservation skills which includes learning about other sources of foods such as insects and indigenous fruits and vegetables in order to contribute to food security.”

 “The Food security packs will include legumes, bio fortified crops (OFSP), fruit and vegetable seeds. The beneficiaries will be encouraged to have kitchen gardens to fight malnutrition and encourage continuous access to nutritious foods during the pandemic and beyond. Key identified Partners include Good Nature Agro, WFP, Harvest Plus, MoA and MFL.” E-SAPP Concept Note, 2020.

One of the districts where smallholder farmers benefitted from COVID-19 Relief measures is Isoka in Muchinga province.

A smallholder farmer, Shepard Sikanika of Nachisungu area in Sansamwenje agriculture camp located 65 kilometres from Isoka, stated that his farm size is three hectares. Mr Sikanika, is a youth farmer aged 26, married with one child.

Due to the ravaging effects of COVID-19, he lacked the financial muscle to buy seed and fertilizer to cultivate for sale and food security purposes.

Mr Sikanika miraculously survived the effects of the pandemic, when E-SAPP provided relief to him through his FaaBS. He benefitted sweet potatoes, groundnuts, beans, vegetables which included Chinese and cabbage seedlings.

“I planted a quarter of a hectare (35 x35 plot) of vegetables I benefited from the programme,” said Mr Sikanika.

While for the other seedlings he received, he managed to cultivate two hectares.

Mr Sikanika disclosed that he never anticipated that groundnuts were good for nutrition purposes especially for his children.

“I appreciated the nutritious value of having meals, especially vegetables mixed with pounded groundnuts, for my family,” he disclosed.

Besides the nutrition value, he managed to raise enough funds after selling groundnuts which assisted to meet his family obligations.

Other than using groundnuts for nutritious purposes, he had his groundnuts processed into oil. The processed oil was utilized for home consumption and raised an income by selling part of it. This income raised was used to meet family needs.

“I was able to raise funds to provide for my family and take care of other household necessities as well as fertilizer to apply in my field,” an elated Mr Sikanika said.

Another beneficiary farmer, Tabo Nalwamba, a smallholder farmer in Nachisungu area under Sansamwenje Agriculture Camp in Isoka district of Muchinga province, is one of the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 Relief.

Ms Nalwamba narrates at the time E-SAPP gave her groundnuts, oranges, cabbage, seedlings and empty 50kilogramme bags, she literally had lost hope of cultivating last farming season due to no seedlings. Equally, she lacked finances to purchase seedlings and fertilizer for her crops, not until E-SAPP came to her aid.

“I didn’t have seedlings in December, 2020. I was worried how I would support my household,” Ms Nalwamba said.

She explained that after being given seedlings, she managed to plant Chinese and cabbage on a quarter of a lima. She was overjoyed because her crop stand performed extremely well due to the good rainfall.

Ms Nalwamba revealed that after harvesting, she earned an income after selling some of her produce, which assisted in paying for her children’s school fees.

For Ms Nalwamba, a lesson learnt is that vegetables can be grown all year round in order to have a regular income.

“I realised I should not depend on rainfed crops only but engage in irrigation during the dry season in order to have constant flow of income to sustain my family, since I grow vegetables for both home consumption and for sale,” Ms Nalwamba said.

The COVID-19 Relief has boosted the food security levels and provided a steady flow of income for the needy smallholder farmers in the district, which was not only timely but a good initiative. This should serve as an eye opener for farmers to always plan ahead amidst the pandemic.

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. 

SOIL FERTILITY CHAMPION

By HAPPY MULOLANI

THE University of Zambia under the School of Agricultural Sciences and Organic Resource Management Soil Experts (ORM) team have unveiled VENON CHINENE, as the Champion of Soil Fertility.

Speaking at the Second National Innovation Platform on Soil Fertility in Lusaka, School of Agricultural Sciences Dean, Benson Chishala says Professor Venon Chinene has vast experience in soil fertility matters and will lead the cause for better strides in improving soil fertility.

Dr Chishala said Professor Chinene has been a University Administrator, First Vice Chancellor of Mulungushi University and land management lobbyist and is also an accomplished author on soil fertility.

He explained that the role of the soil fertility Champion is to influence decisions and be in the frontline and spearhead matters of soil fertility.

He said the Soil Fertility Champion will be a servant, representative and lobbyist at national level.

“The soil fertility issues need to be heard. We want to be recognized as a country for doing so much in the area of soil fertility,” says Dr Chishala.

Dr Chishala described Professor Chinene as a highly motivated farmer, who is also showcasing what he is practicing in terms of soil fertility.

And Professor Chinene says there is need to continuously advocate for better soil management practices aimed at sustainable production in Zambia and beyond.

He stressed that as a nation, there is need to invest in low input agriculture.

“We need to ensure we make the right investment into low input agriculture because it will potentially have a high return on investment,” said Professor Chinene.

Professor Chinene emphasized that adequate research into soil fertility and related issues has been conducted on low input agriculture.

“What is required is to commercialise low input agriculture and showcase research initiatives through agriculture shows and related platforms,” he said.

The project interventions of Farmer-driven Organic Resource Management to build Soil Fertility (ORM4Soil) have contributed to knowledge in promoting low input agriculture technologies and practices among farmer communities. Clearly, a myriad of opportunities is imminent given the anticipated increase in the world population to nine million by 2050.

Professor Chinene’s professional career as a soil scientist spans over 42 years, having been appointed as a lecturer at the age of 27 at the University of Zambia.

SOIL FERTILITY INITIATIVE MAKING STRIDES IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN PROVINCES

 By HAPPY MULOLANI

“ONE of the concerns for a long time is that farmers have concentrated on feeding plants without feeding the soil,” National Coordinator for the National Innovation Platform on Soil Fertility, and Dean of the School of the Agricultural Sciences at the University of Zambia, Benson Chishala disclosed.

Dr Chishala’s sentiments comes amid concerns in the decline in food production and food security which is attributed to the high soil acidity levels.  

“What is key is to understand is that soil fertility is closely tied to food security, hence the need to better nature the soil through improved approaches” he noted.

Over the years, this challenge has culminated in poor soil fertility levels leading to low production and food security.

With this identified gap, a project on restoring soil fertility was initiated in 2015. The first National Innovation Platform on Soil Fertility was held in December, 2018. It tabled some of the concerns, challenges and wayforward of addressing soil fertility management, resulting in the development of one key component, which entails properly managing the soil through appropriate approaches.

Dr Chishala emphasized that efforts to address the poverty levels through improved soil fertility practices is apparent. The status quo has culminated into the Organic Resource Management for Soil Fertility (ORM4SOIL) project with funding support from the Swedish. This project has been work collaboratively with research institutions, Ministry of Agriculture and University of Zambia and other agriculture development partners.

The project identified Chipata and Kasama districts in Eastern and Northern provinces as pilot districts to have trials and demonstrations on improved soil fertility practices in order to better their yields and contribute to increased food production and security.

He explained that this presents the opportunity for key players in agriculture development on fostering and bettering the soil fertility approaches to enhance farmer yields.

At a recent second National Innovation Platform on Soil Fertility heled in Lusaka, Acting District Agricultural Coordinator for Chipata, John Chuba highlighted that the innovation platforms were key in fostering communication campaigns which has played a significant role in creating awareness to farmers and more collaboration has been enhanced.

Mr Chuba finds traditional leaders has playing a critical role in encouraging farmers to adopt farming practices which improves.

“A lesson learnt from the projection intervention in the district is that the local leadership has been helped in educating farmers, noting that it is not easy to interact with chiefs and influence subjects,” he revealed.

He further explained the innovation platforms serve to enhance not only collaboration being also better presents strengthening of the existing linkage.

The beauty of these innovation platforms is that it has provided available options for farmers to use in improving the soil.

Loyce Banda, a farmer from Chibuvungwe in Chipata, says she has learnt how to use manure and Agroforestry practices which have significantly improved her yields.

Francis Mwenya, a farmer in Chilongoshi agricultural camp, is one of the farmers, who has drawn vital lessons learnt from useful from the innovation platform- the traditional of Fundikila, which is basically the use of grass, leaves and ridges. These approach has turned out to be different and effective from chitemene system.

Mr Mwenya Farmer appreciates Fundikila more than Chitemene because it was restoring soil nutrients and yields were better than using the Chitemene system.

The role of the sustainable soil fertility champion needs to influence policy advocacy and search for opportunities especially at expert platforms.

With the realization of improving soil fertility and boosting food production and security, the need for a soil fertility champion is key to influence appropriate policy decisions as a contribution to the agriculture sector.

Soil Fertility Champion, Venon Chinene stressed that as a nation, there is need invest in low input agriculture.

“We need to ensure we make right investment into low input agriculture because it will potentially have a high return on investment,” said Professor Chinene.

Professor Chinene emphasized that adequate research into soil fertility and related issues has been conducted on low input agriculture.

“What is required is to commercialization low input agriculture and showcase research initiatives through agriculture shows and related platforms,” he said.

The project interventions have contributed to knowledge in promoting low input agriculture technologies and practices among farmer communities. In all, a myriad of opportunities are imminent given the anticipated increase in the world population to nine million by 2050. This is a glimmer of hope for farmer communities to re-think and look at the great demand for technology and practices which should be able to sustain and feed a lot of people.

For this to happen, there must be concerted efforts and appropriate policy to improve the soils and land management in championing the ever increasing food demands globally. 

MITIGATING MEASURES FOR FALL ARMYWORMS

By HAPPY MULOLANI

“PREVIOUSLY, my maize fields used to be affected by Fall Army Worms resulting in low maize yields,” said Nyambe Mweene, a small-scale farmer in Mungule village in Lwimba agricultural camp in Chongwe district.

Mr Mweene shared his experiences that despite cultivating maize and beans on a relatively higher scale, the prevalence of Fall Armyworms in his field became worrisome given that a bigger part of his hectarge was getting affected and recording crop losses.

He revealed that he depended on purchasing pesticides to spray his field but the cost implications were too high as he had other family obligations.

This gloomy picture began to change when he was selected to be among one of the farmers to participate in on-farm trials on the use of low cost farming methods that supports agro-ecological approaches to pest management.

“In 2019, which was the first year of the project when I was selected as one of the 12 farmers to do trials in Lwimba agricultural camp, I intercropped maize with beans and managed to harvest 15 bags by 50kilogrammes in one lima which was better than preceding years when I would only harvest 10bags,” disclosed Mr Mweene.

Despite the dry spells encountered in 2020, the harvest increased to 20 bags by 50kilogramme in one lima. This, Mr Mweene says is a positive stride in his maize fields as compared to past years when he relied on spraying against Fall Armyworms. While this year, with the good rains experienced so far, he expects to harvest 25 bags by 50kilogramme in one lima, which is a significant gain in his crop production.

Another beneficiary farmer, Cephas Mvula of Kanakantapa explains that, as one of the farmers participating in on-farm trials of maize and beans, he has learnt that intercropping and mulching is a better approach than using pesticides, as most pesticides are destructive and costly.

Mr Mvula explained that it was very useful to learn the best possible ways of mitigating Fall Armyworms through the use of natural economy with low cost, as it improves productivity and livelihoods.  

Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme, Extension Officer, Fridah Kasamika explained that farmers have learnt practices such as conservation agriculture tillage, with some selected cowpeas and maize, maize and selected legumes.

Ms Kasamika says in her camp, 12 farmers were selected to participate in on-farm trials. So far, farmers have been using these demonstrations plots to learn and share experiences on the approaches to fight Fall Armyworms and improve their yields.  

These trials are supported by a five year project, which is a partnership between the World Agroforestry-(ICRAF) and the Ministry of Agriculture through its research department, the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute at Mount Makulu. It seeks to alleviate the impact of Fall Army Worm on smallholder farms through the use of low-cost pest control strategies based on ecological approaches. The project is also supported by other partners such as NORAD.

The project through its experts, encourages farmers to avoid using a variety of pesticides in their fields because they are not only toxic but dangerous to use. Instead, promoting agro ecological approaches to offer alternative solutions which is “cheaper, safer and better for the environment.” Some of the Agro-ecological approaches to pest management such as conservation farming which focuses on promoting practices such as crop rotation, minimum tillage, mulching and composting. Others include intercropping, diversifying crop types in order to protect natural habitats and enhance biodiversity in farmers’ fields. And the identification of specific interventions which encourage natural enemies such ass “providing nest sites for predatory insects.”

Since inception, the project has witnessed farmers’ yields slowly but surely improve through the application of ecological approaches meant to mitigate Fall Armyworms and boost maize yields.

Senior Researcher at the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Gilson Chipabika explains that trials are being conducted on how to mitigate Fall armyworms. The researchers collect data on infestation rates, damage and yields to examine the cost effectiveness.

Mr Chipabika said that during the research, farmers will gain knowledge on Fall Armyworm and its natural enemies.

He says that the project targets to make pesticides redundant and use nature to address the impact of pests through the use of Agro ecological approaches such as inter crop, mulching and crop residue among others which are cheaper, safer and better for the environment.

 

According to ICRAF Project Lead Investigator, Rhett Harrison, “The target is to make chemical pesticides redundant and the use nature to do the work us.”

Professor Harrison further discloses that most pesticides are highly toxic and dangerous to use. Agro-ecological approaches offers alternative solutions, which is rather cheaper, safer and better for the environment.

He emphasizes the need for government to ensure farmers are offered with solutions which are long-term. Other than, natural solutions, if they are to use pesticides its better for them to utilise biological and botanical pesticides which are safer though costly for many small-scale farmers. What is required is to offer subsidies to lower the cost of pesticides.

The project is working with 180 small-scale farmers in Zambia and Malawi and is conducting on-farm trials. At inception of the trials, farmers were supplied with inputs which includes maize, soyabean, cowpea, groundnut and common bean seeds. To effectively manage these trials, technical support is being offered to the farmers by researchers.

Deputy Director at Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Ivor Mukuka observes that the effective utilization of technology is feasible as can be seen from research findings of the trials located in various farmers catchment areas.

Mr Mukuka emphasized that farmers need to really use technology to help them improve their yields and food security.

“From the research findings, appropriate information will be packaged and shared with the farmers. This information is meant to assist farmers improve their productivity and production as it is in line with the mandate of the government and its partner ICRAF,” stressed Mr Mukuka.

It is expected the knowledge generated from these research findings will be useful in developing national pest control strategies across Southern African countries. Such an approach is endeavours to boost productivity, production and incomes of small-scale farmers.