ZAMBIA'S TOP VARSITY JOINS FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

By HAPPY MULOLANI

Climate change is on top of the agenda for most countries. Its devastating effects on productive sectors of some countries is immeasurable. Zambia is one of the countries affected by climate change as it has experienced droughts, pests, floods and deforestation. 

According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), this year alone, severe drought has negatively impacted 11million people in nine countries, which includes Zambia. This drought is considered the worst of its kind recorded in 35 years. Admittedly, these affected countries require immediate support to address this problem.

In Zambia, the agriculture sector remains key and is considered the second after the mining sector. This prompted the country to prioritise the agriculture sector through development plans such as the Seventh National Development (7NDP), which outlines the importance of not “leaving anyone behind” as a way of fostering the country’s economic growth.

Given the status quo, the University of Zambia is one of the country’s research institutions which has embarked on developing climate smart agriculture technologies to address climate change in order to assist smallholder farmers upscale their agriculture production and productivity.

University of Zambia Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Benson Chishala explained that the University embarked on developing research initiatives aimed at addressing the country’s climatic shocks and boosting food security.

Dr Chishala underscored the importance of embarking on research aimed at immediately providing a panacea to the effects of climate change affecting especially rural farmers.

And Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant Science under the School of Agricultural Sciences, Kalaluka Munyinda reaffirmed the need to mitigate the climatic shocks and avert food insecurity of most smallholder farmers in light of the drought which had hit the country, resulting in a decline of yields per hectare.

He explained that the institution has developed improved varieties such as Maize MGV640 and legumes which produce higher yields per hectare.

“These varieties record between 16 tonnes per hectare to 20 tonnes per hectare. This is in contrast to the initial 10 tonnes prior to developing these improved varieties,” disclosed Dr Munyende.

These developed varieties are expected to help farmers in engaging not only climate smart agriculture practices but also have better yields during the 2020/2021 farming season.

These sentiments come in the wake of the recent launch of the National Crop Planting season in Eastern province by Republican President Edgar Lungu.

The institution has on-going trials of seed varieties, which include maize and legumes in Lusitu and Chirundu to assess their suitable and production capacities.

But these initiatives have been marred by some challenges such as financing which would have seen more varieties developed for the betterment of farmer communities.

Assistant Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, John Shindano observes that the institution has been working with some partners in combating the effects of climate change amidst low financing. Of concern is that the fight against climate change requires concerted efforts if more farmers are to be assisted and improve food security.

Dr Shindano’s views resonate with a recent report released which argues that there has been low financing for climate change. This notion calls for increased financing from partners and stakeholders to contribute towards addressing climate change.

Most of the financing for research is externally sourced but the need to re-think this approach by local partners getting on board to help finance climate change in the local context is obvious. This approach is likely to promote more broad based solutions to curb the devastating effects of climate change

Earlier this year, IFAD is one of the international organization which has released US$12 million to assist rural small-scale farmers in adapting to climate change and reduce green house gas emissions. Equally, the Swedish government is also one of the cooperating partners of IFAD, which availed funds to effectively implement and contribute towards reducing climatic changes this year.

IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo expressed concern on the need to avert the severe climatic conditions. This resulted in the release of the funds towards supporting the fight against the effects of climate change of households and incomes of rural farmers.

It is notable that investment is key to address climate change as it will enable rural people and farmers take adaptation actions in their various agriculture value chains. 

Ultimately, research and financing are important catalysts which need to bring about positive changes through developing climate resilient varieties and also ensure farmers adapt to these initiatives aimed at promoting increased food security. Thus, support is required to be directed towards expertise to help devise mechanisms aimed at improving productivity within a competitive environment like Zambia.

PLANT CLINICS : A HELPFUL APPROACH TO ADDRESSING PESTS

By HAPPY MULOLANI

OVER the years, many approaches in the agriculture sector have been developed in a bid to enhance the public extension system. For instance, in 2013, an initiative called Plant Clinics was launched by the Centre for Agriculture Biosciences International (CABI) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Plant Clinics is an approach meant to service smallholder farmers. These Clinics are basically run by Plant Doctors. Plant doctors undergo a structured training to qualify to practice. This helps these Plant doctors to not only grasp the different modules they undertake to determine their suitability but also positions them in such a way that they are able to assist farmers in their value chains. 

Plant Doctors are expected to assess the problems that farmers encounter in their agriculture enterprises, then advise and offer recommendations on environmental friendly pesticides. This approach aims to equip farmers with appropriate information on various agronomic practices.

For this approach to work efficiently, various partners have come on board to support this cause since 2013 when the initiative was launched.

At a recent National Stakeholders forum at Sun Southern in Lusaka, Director in the Department of Agriculture, Moses Mwale explained that presently Plant Clinics are operating in 42 districts countrywide.  These plant clinics have been supported by various partners such as SNV, World Vision Zambia, Lamasha, Kasisi, Conservation Farming Unit, Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART), Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), among others. Since the inception of these plant clinics, plant doctors have ensured significant contribution towards crop production and food security is enhanced.

“The aim  of this initiative was to help farmers, especially small-scale to minimize on the use of pesticides, in particular use least toxic pesticides, and use more of other components of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM),” said Mr Mwale.

At the outset, there were only 13 clinics and now the initiative stands at 153 clinics. These clinics are currently run by 389 Plant doctors dotted in 42 districts countrywide.

Mr Mwale emphasized that the success of the Plant clinics is through strategic partnerships with other actors already existing to provide support, network and nurture a “national ecosystem bringing together farmers, academia, policy makers, regulatory agencies and established companies.”

And CABI Representative for Southern Africa Centre, Noah Phiri says there has been great collaboration among partners to better support plant clinics provide service to farmers.

National Data Manager, Mathews Matimelo notes that some plant doctors who have erred in their duties, have to be re-trained.

“Of the trained Plant doctors, only a negligible error of 0.0017 was committed,” revealed Mr Matimelo.

Clearly, it is that refresher training of plant doctors which helps to reduce the minimal errors committed in the field to smallholder farmers.

Mr Matimelo explains that these plant doctors are playing a key role in ensuring that recommendations are based on low risk pesticides, besides other methods such as cultural and physical control of weeds.

While, CropLife Chief Executive Officer, Perry Ngoma notes that farmers need to be continually encouraged to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to manage pests in a responsible way.

Mr Ngoma observes that plant doctors are cardinal in assisting farmers to manage damage to their plants to economical levels. They need to recommend pesticides and other avenues of addressing pests in farmers’ fields.

Zambia Environmental Agency (ZEMA) Principal Inspector, Christopher Kanema points out the institution’s critical role in addressing the toxicity of the environment and also offering recommendations to avert toxicity of the environment, hence the necessity to work with key stakeholders.

And one of the Plant Doctors in Mumbwa district, George Silungwe, says Plant Clinics aims to help farmers improve their yields and income while reducing use of toxic pesticides.

“In response, in 2019/2020, the Ministry of Agriculture increased the number of farmers, 17 plant doctors who are helping in pest management and this has reduced incidences of pests in farmers’ management of their fields,” explained Mr Silungwe.

Mr Silungwe says World Vision helped to train 17 plant doctors in Mumbwa, which has led to an increase in farmers crop yields.

“The major setback is as yields increase, the suitability of the market is what is key for them to register positive strides to increase farmers’ income,” said Mr Silungwe.

This approach seems to be working in transfer of agronomic practices, given that they are interacting through plant clinics

“They are also training lead farmers under farmer field schools, who play a key role in technology transfer to other smallholder farmers in the area,” disclosed Mr Silungwe.

An elated Silungwe, highlighted that the number of clinics has increased from three clinics to 17 clinics, which is a milestone. This idea has helped to increase the area of coverage in the farming community.

“It is encouraging that more farmers have become aware of pests that used to ravage their crops. They are also able to act by applying recommendations offered by Plant doctors,” said Mr Silungwe.

A farmer in Mumbwa, Bornlet Kampengekele, has been cultivating vegetables and tomatoes for 21 years, commended the Ministry of Agriculture and partners for supporting appropriate interventions in his farming enterprises. In particular, he is a vegetable and tomatoe farmer. He recounts how his rape and tomatoes used to be hit with diseases. Sadly, he did not have tangible solutions to address the challenges.

“In the past, I would get some recommendations from agro dealers which was not good. But ever since, I came to know about Plant doctors during the agriculture show, it has assisted me in my production of rape and tomatoes as well as other farmers in Mumbwa,” explained Mr Kampengekele.

Clearly, Plant clinics have been a useful approach of addressing pests and ensuring that farmers are empowered with appropriate information. What is required is to strengthen collaboration with various partners in order to increase the presence of Plant clinics to as many countrywide to enhance improved crop production and productivity. 

ZARI AND ICRAF DEVELOP AGRO-ECOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO CURB FALL ARMY WORMS

 

 By HAPPY MULOLANI

THE agriculture sector contributes about eight to ten percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remains key to attaining food security in the country.

But the sector has suffered setbacks from devastating pests such as the Fall Army Worms (FAW). Fall Army Worms is a pest which was first reported in Africa in 2016. In the same year, it was also detected in Zambia. Notably, the pest predominately affects maize, which is admittedly the country’s staple crop grown by over 2.7 million households. However, the pest affects other crops such as sorghum, millet, cotton and soyabeans to a minimum level.

More importantly, maize contributes 56 percent of the total area of annual food crops. At the same time; its caloric consumption is estimated to be between 30 to 70 percent. The onset of this pest has culminated in various concerns which impact on food and nutrition insecurity especially in rural areas.

Sadly, the FAW has proved to be vicious in attacking maize in all the 10 provinces of the country, as the prevalence of FAW is high and most farmers have experienced its devastating effects of this pest on their maize fields.

Against this backdrop, Government released a whooping Three million United States dollars US$3,000,000 to purchase pesticides which included personal protective equipment and seeds for replanting during the 2016/2017 farming season as control measures aimed at containing the pest. This initiative was financed through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

Government further engaged research initiatives through one of its key institution, the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) has partnered with the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF). ICRAF is a renowned centre of science and development, which also focuses on excellence in order to enhance multiple benefits trees offer to agriculture, livelihoods, resilience and the future of the plant.

These institutions embarked on rigorous research and formulating solutions for the smallholder farmers countrywide which ought to be affordable and sustainable in the long-term.

In a recent stakeholder meeting held at Cresta Golf View, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo explained that these partners undertook a whole year of research and collected data on the use of Agro ecological approaches in the management of the Fall Army Worm pest among smallholder farmers in Zambia.

Mr Zyambo disclosed that the meeting aimed at information sharing on the research gathered so far to further inform policy interventions developed in combating Fall Army Worms which has affected and disadvantaged smallholder farmers in the maize production value chain.

He expressed concern that the chemical control method is “expensive and environmentally damaging and unsustainable. It also poses severe health risk to many poorer farmers.”

Given this status quo, what is appropriate is to pursue other control methods. He hailed staff at ZARI and ICRAF for pursuing alternative methods in order to examine the effectiveness of Agro ecological control options for Fall Army Worm Management. This will enable the development of Comprehensive Insect Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

And Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) Director, Peter Lungu applauded NORAD for being one of the funding partners supporting ZARI’s and ICRAF’s research in developing farmer friendly pesticides and other affordable technologies meant to curb the spread of Fall Army Worms.

Speaking on his behalf, Dr Mukanga Mwenshi highlighted that what is required is developing ecological control of the Fall Army Worm for smallholder farmers in Zambia and Southern Africa as a whole.  

“Trials have been undertaken in Chongwe, Kawambwa, Kazungula and same number of districts in Malawi,” said Mr Lungu.

He added that a multisectoral approach of dealing with the Fall Army Worms will be more effective and ultimately contribute to food security being addressed.

And ICRAF Country Representative, Professor Rhett Harrison, explained that the problem of pesticides besides their high cost and destructive nature to natural enemies, they are inappropriate because even if governments opted to give to farmers at a low cost, more farmers could acquire the pesticides but such an approach is unsustainable and merely leads to dependence.

“The best solution is to embrace Agro-ecological approaches which are low cost and key to IPM for Fall Armyworm technologies which are accessible by many smallholder farmers in the local context,” said Professor Harrison.

And University of Zambia Professor Philip Nkunika observes that there is need to find a systematic way of disseminating these low cost technologies.

Professor Nkunika pointed out that one of the problems of information packages developed, the information mostly remained with experts while the targeted beneficiaries who smallholder farmers rarely accessed this vital information, which is key to better inform them in their value chains.

He noted that it paramount to find appropriate ways of packaging research information in easily accessible and available formats to better inform the farmers on some of the risks and solutions in their agriculture activities.

Professor Nkunika also said the University of Zambia has now engaged in a critical mass of controlling Fall Army Worm through working collaboratively with the Departments of Crop Science, Biological Sciences and Computer as well as research institutions such as ZARI and IITA. Such collaboration promotes team work and concerted efforts towards coming up with appropriate solutions.

“We are on a progressive trajectory in dealing with the Fall Army Worm than before,” equipped Professor Philip Nkunika. 

National Union for Small-Scale Farmers President Ebony Lolozi disclosed that so far especially interactive forum ZARI AND ICRAF, important and commend players for their stakeholder involvement.

Mr Lolozi pointed out that for a long a time now, there has been a gap existing between farmers and researchers in the provision of information. To bridge this gap, it will be prudent to find appropriate ways of sharing information and increased networking between farmers and researchers.

“It is necessary to consider providing publications in local languages to ensure farmers understand the messages. In the foreseeable future, as a farmers Union, we would like these stakeholder forums to continue to give various insights in various low cost technologies and also develop publications in simplified formats so that findings of research are broadly disseminated,” he said.  

Ultimately, Fall Army Worms can only be addressed through developing low cost technologies that are affordable and sustainable farmers. And also efforts need to be directed towards strengthening information sharing of developed control measures of the pest to farmers, as doing so is likely to yield tangible results in the long-term. 

LEAD FARMER, FOLLOWER FARMER CONCEPT GAINS GROUND IN MUCHINGA PROVINCE

By HAPPY MULOLANI

Government has identified the private sector through Agri-PPPs to complement its efforts in improving food security and wealth creation among rural people. Agri-PPPs are considered as innovation partnerships which stimulate agriculture development in the country. Recently, the Government of Zambia is on record for facilitating the formulation of guidelines of Agriculture Public Private Partnership (Agri-PPPs) in the agriculture sector, which seeks to bring about innovations meant to upscale farmers’ production and productivity.

This position witnessed S3P partner with the Common Market for Conservation (COMACO) as a service provider, specifically to contribute towards upscaling farmers production levels in some selected districts in Muchinga province. Specifically under the programme’s pluralist participatory approach which sought to offer advisory services to farmers with diversity of players. COMACO’s target was the smallholder farmers and interventions promoted, included increasing the levels of productivity given the low production farmers were grappling with.

Interventions were promoted through Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Through FFS, demonstration plots of different commodities of focus were set-up in respective farming communities in the province. COMACO also promoted seed multiplication of legumes to enable more farmers access legumes as it was multiplied to a wider farming community. 

COMACO introduced an approach called “Lead farmer, follower farmer.” This approach entailed farmers take the lead in the promotion and adoption of different commodities of focus. The understanding is that when farmers actively take the lead in their agriculture enterprises, they easily build a critical mass of farmers who adopt improved farming practices, thereby contributing to production and productivity.

Some of the commodities of focus included cassava, groundnuts, beans, rice and soya beans.

Muchinga Province Coordinator for COMACO, Evans Hamalila acknowledged that the lead farmer, follower approach was very effective in reaching out to farmers in the target areas. It also has been able to supplement the Camp Extension Officers’ (CEOs) work in reaching out to more farmers.

“The Lead farmer, follower farmer approach worked in a manner that farmers were clustered according to commodities of focus. Each lead farmer was involved in three commodities of focus which included rice, soya beans and groundnuts,” said Mr Hamalila.

To be effective, it had a structured hierarchy as follows; Principal lead farmer, Senior lead farmer and Lead farmer. This approach equipped farmers aptly with relevant information and trainings across their different agriculture enterprises.

He observed that this approach resulted in ownership being rooted in the community, as these lead farmers were also in cooperatives and assisted CEOs in providing feedback of activities farmers were engaged in their operational areas.

At first, the only challenge encountered when S3P partnered with COMACO in 2017 was no clear guidelines were tabled in their operations in terms of reporting lines, monitoring and backstopping. This, Mr Hamalila revealed paved way for harmonization of how COMACO and the Ministry would provide their respective interventions in tandem with the outlined goals and objectives of the programme. This was a turning point for a successful partnership and approach as they both agreed on monthly review meetings, collaboration and approach on knowledge transfer to farmers. This harmonization eased work relations and witnessed a trickle down effect on farmers.

Mr Hamalila pointed out that the lead farmer; follower approach also resulted in a high level of adoption among the farmers. For example, rice was promoted through an intensification system. This entailed the establishment of a nursery, planting and well- spacing.

“This type of rice management was suitable because the yields increased from four or five bags by 50kilogramme per lima to a minimum of between 30 to 35 bags by 50kilogramme bags of rice,” he said.

For instance, a Senior Lead farmer in rice, Vincent Mulenga trained farmers on the importance of weeding a rice field in Chinsali for rice farmers. This training was meant to demonstrate how farmers can have better yields.

Mr Hamalila said most of this rice was grown in the wetlands in Chinsali and Isoka. He noted that one source of concern was the fact that farmers had no land ownership in these areas. However, COMACO engaged in some awareness meetings with the traditional leadership on the importance of according farmers security of title in order to avoid being displaced in the near future. 

This partnership striked between COMACO and S3P was one of those unique features which also established a good market linkage besides the interventions offered in improving smallholder farmers’ production and productivity, which eased the market concerns farmers often faced during the marketing period.

And Muchinga Province Acting Provincial Agricultural Coordinator, Fred Chikuta, explained that the project achieved its objective and targets as envisaged to service 23,500 farmers while the Ministry of Agriculture set a target of 200 farmers per camp. This resulted in 2,400 farmers being reached in 12 camps.

“The identified gaps of poor yields, disjointed farmer organizations and poor value chain approach were all addressed by S3P,” disclosed Mr Chikuta.

He also appreciated the leader farmer, follower farmer approach because it enhanced the farmer to farmer extension approaches. This approach also gave them a sense of ownership of the programme goals. It equally improved monitoring at farmer level and eased the adoption of technologies in various cluster groups supported by S3P.

Mr Chikuta noted that this approach immensely contributed to reaching out to more farmers thereby supplementing CEOs efforts in camp areas.

A lead farmer in Kaso Agricultural Camp in Chinsali Central Block, Cosmas Nkole, shared his experiences as a lead farmer from 2016 to 2020. He noted that CEOs were overburdened with their workload given the vast agricultural camps and increased number of farmers, making it rather difficult to adequately facilitate in the commodities of focus.

Mr Nkole reaffirmed that the lead farmer approach was very effective and useful in complementing CEO’s efforts.

“The lead farmer, follower farmer approach has eased the CEOs workload as more farmers are being assisted in their producer groups,” he said.

Mr Nkole said farmers in his camp area were engaged in cultivating maize, rice, soya beans and beans. Previously, farmers used to cultivate local seed varieties especially beans which registered low yields, mainly for home consumption.

For instance, in a lima, they would harvest just four medas. However, remarkable strides have been made after COMACO empowered them with Kabulangeti, an improved bean seed variety and better management practices, their yields increased to about three to four bags of bean by 50 kilogramme per lima.

He also disclosed that farmers cultivated local soya beans variety just for consumption. They also accessed improved soya bean varieties namely, Kaleya and Safari which they now grow up to a lima.

“After lead farmers’ facilitation on growing improved varieties with good management practices and taking farming as a business, their perception of farming in these commodities of focus has changed. They have also learnt the importance of conservation farming in order to have better yields,” said Mr Nkole.

Another lead farmer in Mundu Nkula in Chinsali Central Block, Moses Sikazwe explained that he was chosen to become a lead farmer after; the then lead farmer excused himself when he became a depot manager.

Mr Sikazwe said his work involved facilitating lessons to farmers based on the trainings COMACO had inculcated in them as part of their interventions. All programmes were communicated through senior lead farmers, and then lead farmers were informed who in turn notified follower farmers of the cluster production group. He further stated this approach lessened the heavy workload on CEOs. Previously, it became worrisome that the number of farmers CEOs were expected to facilitate to, exceeded their capacity making their work difficult.

He highlighted as a lead farmer, he catered for 20 farmers in his rice cluster group and conducted meetings once per month. He stressed that these meetings were necessary to track the progress of the farmers.

Mr Sikazwe observed that prior to the inception of this approach under COMACO; his rice production was between 30 to 35 bags by 50 kilogramme of rice per lima. But after facilitation by the progamme on recommended management practices such as weeding and planting in lines, his rice production and fellow rice farmers in the cluster group has increased to between 40 to 45 bags by 50 kilogramme of rice per lima.

“It was encouraging that COMACO was also a buyer, they were buying 41 kilogrammes at K81 and a meda at K150 while some buyers would buy 12 medas at K180 presently. This also goes to show that rice is a profitable commodity of focus,” he said.

Mr Sikazwe attributed this increase to the provision of the improved rice variety to the farmers. The spill-over effect is feasible as the number of rice farmers has doubled.

“COMACO provided us with two improved rice varieties and these are Chama and Kilombelo rice. The number of rice farmers has increased to well over 70 farmers after realising the benefits of growing rice which does not require any fertilizer, but only needs proper management and suitable improved variety,” he said.

While, the first lead farmer, Gordon Chinuka, appreciated the COMACO approach of lead farmer, follower farmer concept because it has given confidence to farmers in their rice value chain and also equipped them with appropriate knowledge on management practises.

However, Mr Chinuka expresses concern at the non-availability of a processing machinery to polish their rice. He points out that the demand is very low for unpolished rice from buyers locally. He added that majority of buyers wanted polished rice, unlike potential buyers from outside the district, who come to the area periodically.

“As farmers, we have learnt the importance of value addition as it results in better pricing of rice. We are forced to sale unpolished rice because there is no polishing machinery within this area. The nearest polishing machine is 50 kilometres away from our area and we are charged K25 per bag, which is a lot of money for us,” he said.

A major concern is the sustainability of the interventions of this approach which promoted high production in the province. Interestingly, prior to the programme phase-out, S3P empowered COMACO with a grant of US$500,000 to sustain its activities. COMACO’s strategy is to utilise these funds as a revolving fund and also for purchases of commodities such as cassava, rice, soya beans and enhance the aspect of value addition. At the moment, COMACO already engages in value addition to peanut butter and locally produced Chinsali rice and Chama rice.

Arguably, this partnership has opened doors for increased production, productivity and linkage to a potential market, given that COMACO was not only engaged to offer interventions meant to upscale production and productivity but also provided a reliable market.

It is hoped the injection of seed money will effectively contribute to the envisaged plans of COMACO as it continues to offer interventions to smallholder farmers to achieve meaningful agriculture development.

SERVICE PROVIDERS TO WORK WITH SMALLHOLDER FARMERS

By HAPPY MULOLANI  

It is a fact that to increase incomes, food and nutrition security of rural households requires smallholder farmers reposition themselves by engaging in market focused agriculture.

To achieve this goal, Government through the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP) which targets 61,000 smallholder farmers countrywide in 30 focal districts and 60 focal camps. Though the programme is countrywide and intends to reach out to 40,000 smallholder farmers in the commodities of focus, it mainly focuses on four core commodities and specifically looks at comparative advantages. These are legumes, small livestock (village poultry, chicken, goats, and sheep), rice and aquaculture.

The programme primarily focuses on improving rural livelihoods involved in agriculture and is conceptualized in such a way that it makes use of window two which endeavours to support establishing partnerships between private players and smallholder farmers in the identified commodities of focus. These private players are expected to contribute 40 percent while government pumps in 60 percent towards specific commodities of focus. This arrangement is expected to have a high degree of committment and sustained effort on both parties. This avenue is also perceived to be a special purpose vehicle as identified sector players are those already engaged in business and are expected to have impetus during the implementation of the programme and beyond.

“The idea is for private sector players to partner with targeted smallholder farmers in enabling growth of their businesses and continue running even after the programme phase-out in 2024. Growth is on two fronts, Small and Medium Enterprises grow their businesses and also engage in serious supply contracts with farmers, which is expected to culminate in growth of volumes,” emphasized Vincent Malata, Senior Agricultural Economist and moderator of the Matching Grant Facility workshop held in Lusaka recently.

Mr Malata explained that the goal of E-SAPP will be strengthened and contribute to agribusiness interventions based on mutually agreeable partnerships. This calls for understanding the rules, principles and what values will guide these partnerships entered into.

And Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme Acting Programme Coordinator, Emmanuel Mulenga, reaffirms the importance of key private sector players partnering with smallholder farmers in their value chain. In this way, they will upscale their efforts through improving the farmers’ skills and also assist Micro, Small and Medium  Enterprises (MSME) identify business opportunities, develop business plans and negotiate with large private sector value chain actors.

“Forging direct commercial linkages between smallholders and emerging commercial farmers with higher level value chain actors using the market pull approach is essential for increased investment,” asserts Mr Mulenga.

This notion has resulted in the programme providing matching grants to five successful private sector players, who are already involved in different commodities of focus. This approach will support private players to leverage their increased private sector investments in agribusiness and also support farmers in their respective value chains.

He explained that E-SAPP is focusing towards building strong and sustainable partnerships in order to tackle the challenges which hinder subsistence farmers from transitioning to be successful commercially oriented farmers.

What is key is that value chain players have gone through a rigorous application process which had now been completed and approved. After this phase, this matching grant workshop whose participants where the successful private players, was aimed at coming up with feasible strategies on how partnerships will work.

“Applications were properly screened from district and provincial levels, in terms of what the programme deserves to achieve. This first stream of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) managed to get their approvals in response to the demands of the programme. Concept notes were prepared in line with programme goals which helped to align applications,” said Mr Mulenga.

He explained that this partnership draws on the objectives of the programme, business growth objectives and help service delivery to the farmers. The grant given to service providers is expected to be utilized accordingly.

Mr Mulenga sternly pointed out that these identified partners are already in businesses with the programme’s commodities of focus, and business players who are supposed to lead to increases in sales.

“To ensure the right support, government wants to support farmers who are bearly surviving, who mostly produce for survival, these are smallholder farmers perpetually dependent on government for support and they basically need to produce enough food,” reiterated Mr Mulenga.

And E-SAPP Grants Management Officer, Elemson Muyanga stressed that getting into partnership with private players basically entails contributing 40 percent towards the grant, which will never be paid back.

“To secure that, if project fails, then you will lose something as well. In other words, both parties will lose something,” revealed Mr Muyanga.

Mr Muyanga highlighted that this public private partnership and how it works for both parties will be determined by at least a private player possessing a minimum of two years working experience with smallholder farmers. Equally, they should have a financial viability coupled with intent to support and access smallholder farmers in a value chain in which the programme is supporting specific commodities of focus.

With this criteria spelled out, a private sector player is required to work with at least a minimum of 200 farmers in the next two years.

He however cautioned private players not to be over ambitious with the number of farmers they work with.

“It is better to be cautious and work with a reasonable number of farmers in order to bring positive changes in the value chain and also maintain what is workable for the business,” said Mr Muyanga.

Whereas, E-SAPP Livestock Commodity Specialist, Danny Munsanje, urged service providers to not only focus on the business interventions but also to incorporate nutrition, gender and livestock, as some of the key aspects that will bring about positive changes to the smallholder farmers.

And one of the beneficiary service providers in Kasama, Nannete Investment has been given a grant of K1.9 million towards rice intervention. This will greatly boost rice production and value addition.

“With this grant, it will help us in ensuring rice farmers get value for their commodity by embarking on value addition,” said an excited Boyd Mtonga, Nannete Investment Managing Partner.

Mr Mtonga said the organisation will continue offering rice interventions to smallholder farmers with government’s fervent support. Nannete Investment core business is that of being an Outgrower Scheme in rice, common beans, sugar beans, Mbereshi among others. As a company, they have been working with rice farmers for the past three years.

He said that the organisation is working with rice farmers in the Chambeshi plains on the outskirts of Kasama in Northern province and steady progress has been made so far.

“The idea has been to upscale rice production through the provision of improved varieties and also management practices,” said Mr Mtonga.

The progamme has three different categories of farmers. These are Category A, which targets 40,000 subsistence smallholder farmers, Category B targets 16,000 economically active smallholder farmers and Category C aims at 5,000 commercially oriented smallholder farmers.

These farmers are selected in focal areas and undergo trainings and capacity building through what is termed Farming as a Business Schools (FaaBS). It is hoped such trainings and capacity building will trigger increased agriculture and livestock production among targeted smallholder farmers thereby contributing to food security and increased incomes. Ideally, once these smallholder farmers’ graduate and form farmer organizations, they partner with service providers, whom the programme empowers with grants which is directed towards increasing production.

With the provision of these grants to service providers, it is envisaged that as they offer different interventions in the commodities of focus, positive changes among smallholder farmers will be feasible and sustained in the value chain.

MPUNDU MWAPE, THE LIMA TIME LEGEND RETIRES

By HAPPY MULOLANI  

“HELLO everybody, welcome to the programme. A programme designed to bring news and interviews on agricultural trends and developments, shaping Zambia’s agro destiny. This is Lima Time.”

These words are synonymous with one of the great sons of Zambia, Mpundu Buseko Mwape who relentlessly promoted diverse agriculture programmes through Lima Time, an agricultural programme produced by the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) and broadcast on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) every sunday at 18:00hours.

Two weeks ago, Mpundu Mwape bade farewell to the civil service after attaining 60years retirement age as a Television Producer for the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS), an information unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, which he joined in 1985. During his stint with NAIS, he devoted his time and energy towards equipping farmers with appropriate information on technical and agriculture technologies. He is revered by many who consider him as a legend, as he influenced farmers’ decisions as they engaged in their agriculture enterprises.

Over the years, his narration and presentation skills earned him the household name that most people could only relate to Lima Time as Mpundu Mwape!

Mwape, who has eight children and a wife, shares his own lived experiences that leaving behind a family was one of the most difficult decision to ever make but was compelled to do so when duty calls.

He acknowledges having a decent walk in the garden, producing agricultural programmes through promoting agricultural technologies through Lima Time, which was the only in-depth agricultural documentary programme which featured several agricultural topics on the national broadcaster to farmers and stakeholders. Admittedly, the programme had a relatively larger following at the time.

Mwape remained enthusiastic about one day being a programme producer since his teenage days, as he remembers how he imitated some news anchors at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) coupled with veteran broadcasters such as Harold Besa, Kenneth Maduma,

at then Zambia Broadcasting Services (ZBS) and Jeff Sitali at Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM). These were among media personalities, who inspired his journalism career path. He narrates that journalism is a passion which calls for one to serve people with diligence and committment. 

Interestingly, after high school, Mwape went through national service in 1981, and after passing out from the national service, he pursued his dream of joining the media industry.

Most people mistake the legend for an agriculturalist but it was just the passion and knack to be a broadcaster that saw him rise to stardom, through his own culture of reading and interacting with agricultural experts, which allowed him to be highly knowledgeable on diverse agriculture topics.

“I was never trained in agriculture apart from studying agriculture science as a subject in high school. Besides that, my father is the one who was an agriculturalist,” he explained.

He joined NAIS in Kabwe, Central Province under Samson Changwe. Then, he was brought to Lusaka in the radio section where he produced Bemba programmes. He was Assistant Translator and later rose to Programme Producer. He gained experience on the job, producing and presenting agricultural programmes and also trained at Evelyn Hone College to gain more skills and techniques. Later, he transitioned to television where he produced Lima Time, a programme he rose to fame.

Mwape is gifted as an orator but also an astounding poet! His skill was feasible whenever he was called upon as master of ceremonies or offer some poetry to spice up public functions, the unit facilitated.

A cross-section of colleagues, who adorn the works of the legend, were full of praise for his 35 years committment of promoting the dissemination of agriculture information and its adoption through Lima Time.

A close workmate and cameraman Moses Katota reminisces his experiences with Mwape during his tour of duty countrywide: “We went round Zambia together bringing the agricultural development highlights in people’s homes. We used to call him the desert rat. Farewell comrade Mwape, we have a lot of memories together.” Whereas, NAIS staff in Eastern province, Gloria Siwisha says “In the five years that I have been a part of this great family, I have realized that the majority of Zambians only understand the functions of NAIS when you mention Mpundu Mwape’s name. This to me shows how good he was at his work. Infact, if one were to coin an equation for Lima, it would be equal to Mpundu Mwape.” This assertion resonates with Provincial Agricultural Information Officer for Copperbelt, Lorraine Makumba, who commends Mwape for significantly contributing to NAIS’s recognition: “You gave us a trade mark as NAIS and just by the mention of your name we gained our recognition.” 

While other staff will seek to emulate his works although acknowledge that his style and skills remain distinct: “We shall be his exact copy, very few can but we can and need to maintain his broadcast values and principles he established in the agricultural sector,” says Frederick Mwanamuchende, Agricultural Information Officer.

Lozi Radio Producer Songolo Akakandelwa encourages fellow staff to emulate the legend: “let’s keep the flame Mr Mwape has lite to show what NAIS is now; as he goes into the phase of life, he should be able to be a smiling man as he has handed over the rally button, let’s keep the same attitude and willingness to work and keep our people updated on the agricultural trends as he opened the Lima time package.”

To others, he is viewed as an encourager who has left the stage while everyone is clapping for Mwape’s marathon race: “You have run your race. Many became farmers because of your work. You are indeed a legend, an institution,” echoes Lillian Mumba, NAIS Senior Reporter. While some considered his programme an interruption, yet became fond of Lima Time in the long term: “The man has been an inspiration to many. I remember getting upset each time I saw Lima on TV because it disrupted my carton watching as ZNBC was the only channel…As I grew up, I loved his voice” recalls Dorcas Kabuya, Agricultural Information Officer for Chilanga. And Reporter Nicholas Mwale says “Yours is the name some of us knew long before joining the NAIS family. I have learnt a lot from you, having an opportunity with you on official duties. Your works certainly speak for you. You remain unique in your style of reporting.” And Radio Producer Judy Mupeta Lembela remembers her fair share of experiences with Mwape exploring the works in the field: I was privileged to journey with Mpundu Mwape. Tours of duty with him always drew admirers throughout Zambia.”

NAIS Deputy Director Mutukelwa Mukelabai describes his early working career days with Mwape, in the radio section.

“I saw Mwape, develop his unique style of presentation through meticulous practice, paying attention to detail and avoiding monotony by employing variety in all his productions to maintain the interest of viewers,” said Mr Mukelabai.

He explains that it’s no doubt that Mwape has deservedly earned his place as a legend in the Zambian agricultural television production sphere. In fact, through the captivating manner of his presentation, Mwape engraved his name as an agricultural communication icon in the hearts of many farmers and other people across generations who had the opportunity to view his Lima Time television productions during the years of his career.

On one hand many journalists generally find reporting on science and technology, including agriculture, a boring undertaking, and on the other hand, a lot of consumers of the print and electronic media regard agriculture as less interesting beats. Not so to Mwape.

“He told the agricultural story in a very entertaining fashion, and tactfully used humour without eating away on the seriousness of agriculture as an economic venture for farmers and the country as a whole,” says Mr Mukelabai.

Originality was the whole mark that made of Mwape stand out in his great artistic work in communicating agricultural technology. He never imitated anyone one, but was bold enough to develop his own style, which he tirelessly worked to perfect overtime. Mwape’s originality was an offspring of his ingenuity, creativity and perseverance in trying new ways, allowing colleagues to critique his work and willing to continuously learn.  

While acknowledging the entertaining attributes of Mwape’s productions, the greatest satisfaction and impact Mwape made, was to see and hear testimonies from people whose persuasion to venture into farming came from watching the Lima Time and farmers attesting to having adopted innovative ways of farming and embraced improved farming methods through the programmes. After all this is the very essence of Lima Time, to enhance productivity and productivity of farmers through provision of farming technological information to farmers.
Indeed Mpundu Buseko Mwape has exited the public service with a heart full of satisfaction that he served the farmers very well and consistently to the best of his ability. Those he has left in service should emulate his works and strive to maintain or beat the bar set by the legendary, the great agricultural television producer of our time.

FAO’s EFFORTS IN SCALING UP SUPPORT FOR SDGs IN ZAMBIA

By HAPPY MULOLANI

POVERTY is one of the concerns which has serious ramifications on most rural households. About 60 percent of people who live in rural areas are poor and are faced with challenges such as limited access to markets, finance, improved technologies and infrastructure, fragile and degrading natural resources, among others.

But to combat rural poverty requires providing an enabling environment through multisectoral policies, strategies and programmes aimed at addressing the economic, environmental and social vulnerabilities which poor rural households encounter in their everyday lives (FAO, 2019).

This presents the necessity for partners to contribute towards poverty alleviation through specific approaches in African countries, of which Zambia is no exception. In order to eliminate poverty, requires partners to work in collaboration with government to embark on appropriate interventions aimed at addressing poverty.

One such partner is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which has committed itself towards providing interventions meant to drive the economic and social progress for all, as one of the three global goals through its key components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This understanding culminated in the conceptualization of the Capacity Development Programme, which aims at strengthening the use of poverty analysis to achieve the first two goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG). SDG 1 focusses on alleviating poverty and SDG 2 deals with achieving Zero hunger. The programme, which is designed to support national efforts to achieve shared prosperity, specifically targeted government staff from Zambia and Ghana.

Its main objective is to strengthen national capacities to utilise poverty analysis for policy and programme design, and tailored towards monitoring and evaluation of these policies and programmes with a view to achieving the aforestated first two SDGs. It envisages to stimulate shared prosperity through an approach which involves inter-ministerial coordination for participatory formulation and implementation of strategies which address rural poverty and hunger.

FAO supports this initiative under its Strategic Programme 3 “reduce rural poverty” as it leverages and builds upon all five strategic programme and 3 regional initiatives, as part of efforts to effectively support countries in achieving the SDGs through adopting multi-sectoral approaches towards poverty reduction, with emphasis on interdependence and appropriate linkages between poverty, food security and nutrition (FAO, 2019).

The three phased programme included; phase 1, online course for five weeks and participants were expected to spend at least 15 hours of total study time. Second, phase 2, face-to-face training, which was conducted for five days in Akosombo, Ghana. And third, phase 3, coaching sessions which included a follow-up and support towards the implementation of action plans.

In a recent graduation ceremony of eight graduates of the Executive Programme, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) Director of Planning and Information, Edmond Mwakalombe disclosed that the MCDSS in collaboration with FAO facilitated the participation of staff in the Executive training programme.

Mr Mwakalombe explained that eight ministries and one agency from Zambia, participated in the programme. These include Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of National Development and Planning, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry, Ministry of Lands Natural Resources, Ministry of Local Government and Central Statistics Office (CSO) as an agency. Overall, eight participants successfully completed the programme.

He said the programme’s face-to-face phase of the course was key as it enabled participants from Zambia and Ghana to share their experiences and insights in line with poverty. This backdrop of shared experiences and lessons learnt informed their actions.

“This necessitated the Zambian team to come up with an action plan on the cash plus that was brought to the attention of your office, PS and action is being taken to move forward this action plan,” Mr Mwakalombe said.

And Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Pamela Kabamba said Government has reaffirmed its commitment to work towards ensuring achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through building capacity in staff.

Mrs. Kabamba emphasized that government was working to ensure capacity building in staff across ministries through the Executive Programme in order to strengthen the use of poverty analysis to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 1 and 2.

She said government will continue to collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Organization in order to enhance capacities needed to serve beneficiaries. 

Food and Agriculture Organization, Country Representative, George Okech, said despite the country making significant progress in the Zambian economy, poverty still remains one of the major concerns as over half of the population are poor.

“Majority of the poor are found in rural areas while extreme poverty in rural areas is five times what is obtaining in urban areas,” Mr Okech said.

In pursuit of efforts to alleviate poverty, Mr Okech explained that FAO will endeavour to support the government achieve its vision 2030 objective of “a prosperous middle income country by 2030” through an integrated multi-sectoral approach development in recognition of the numerous causes of poverty.

 “FAO is committed to supporting countries in meeting the SDGs which align with FAO’s strategic framework. FAO’s efforts are meant towards tackling the root causes of poverty and hunger to have a better society,” Mr Okech said.

Mr Okech expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) for partnering with FAO and spearheading this initiative from Government. He also commended the key partner, IFPRI, for the support rendered towards the online and face to face phases of the programme.

A graduating participant, Tebuho Suuya said the experiences shared, lessons learnt and the support offered by FAO experts during the training programme was useful in identifying action plans around the cash plus concept in Zambia and will support the successful implementation of these action plans.

It is encouraging that FAO remains committed to support countries which envision achieving the SDGs forthwith, through its strategic framework towards tackling root causes of poverty and hunger, which is meant to have a better society. Thus, the inception of the Executive Programme is a milestone given that it focusses on strengthening capacities on poverty analysis. Further, concerted efforts should hover around increasing collaboration and support among staff and stakeholders in a bid to alleviate poverty and hunger.

Clearly, despite the eminent challenges alluded to which people face, the need to develop a multi-sectoral, multi-track approach is apparent. In order to address the economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities which poor rural households experience in their everyday lives, requires national committment and leadership, providing an enabling environment, coupled with applying appropriate knowledge and capacity to design investment support that generates real and enduring change.