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.

CAADP YOUTHS IN AGRICULTURE

By HAPPY MULOLANI

IN Africa, agriculture is one of the key priority sectors which contribute significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDPs). The sector presents potential opportunities for youths to sustain their lives. At the same time, the involvement of youths in the agriculture sector is key as it will enable them increase food security and rural income levels.

Majority of youths in Africa, who are smallholder farmers face challenges such as lack of access to modern technologies, capital investments and supportive research, lack of participation in decision making and vulnerability to ecological shocks. In Zambia, these concerns alluded to also affect young smallholder farmers in the country. In response to these eminent challenges, there is need to establish explicit understanding of issues affecting farmers and develop appropriate policies which improve their rights and meet their needs (Youth Engagement Toolkit on CAADP 2014 Malabo Declaration, 2016).

As a consequence, the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) was conceptualized. CAADP is unique in that, it is an African owned and focussed programme. It attempts to increase economic growth in Africa through its agriculture led development and recognized global brand approach, which is envisaged to impact on the continent’s development through the “strong expression of reclaimed ownership of agricultural policy by Member States and African citizens”(CAADP, 2015). The national CAADP and Malabo implementation processes and the Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) present unique opportunities to address youth development in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

Unfortunately, one of the challenges which could deter youths from contributing towards accelerated agricultural growth and transformation goals is the inadequate integration of youth in the implementation process.

As a result, a Youth Engagement Toolkit on CAADP and 2014 Malabo Declaration was developed as an advocacy and resources guide to deepen knowledge, capacity and participation of youth in CAADP and Malabo processes. This is premised on the understanding that youth need to be involved in Africa’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) through a toolkit “which demonstrates how young people can positively contribute towards Africa’s agricultural development planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and the policy making processes” (Youth Engagement Toolkit on CAADP 2014 Malabo Declaration, 2016).

But, for youths to positively contribute to development, they need to strategically position themselves in key areas of intervention such as agricultural science, technology and innovation initiatives. The realization that there is need for concerted efforts with respect to the engagement of youth by elevating their voices and improve the quality of partnerships in relation to local existing youth initiatives is apparent.

Recently, the Zambia National Dialogue brought together 50 youths from all 10 provinces of Zambia, who convened at AGCO Future farm in Lusaka. The aim of the workshop was for participants to formulate “youth positions” or propositions which could be integrated into the national CAADP policy dialogues for formulating NAIP.  

The Zambia National Dialogue is expected to also provide a platform for youth representatives from Zambia to engage and share experiences with regard to youth participation in agriculture and sustainable livelihoods. This approach is meant to enhance their abilities to network and share progressive ideas in relation to their value chains.

Consultant Victor Mensah disclosed that 50 youths out of 400 youths who had applied across all the 10 provinces were chosen through a competitive process which looked at different skills and a gender approach. The workshop objective was to equip and build capacity in these identified youth farmers to enable them sustain their engagement in dialogue processes in relation to their different agriculture enterprises, in order to better their lives.

Mr Mensah asserts that for youths to progress in their various agriculture enterprises, it is important for them to engage in progressive dialogue aimed at sharing ideas through networking and building sustained partnerships.

He stated that the 50 youths were representatives of the 10 provinces in Zambia, which presently constitutes the Zambia National Dialogue. The identified participants are expected to lead a critical mass of youth smallholder farmers countrywide.

Mr Mensah added that all the 400 youth farmers, who were part of the applicants, are captured on the database. Thus, they are expected to be part of the process of promoting and sharing different ideas on their various commodities of focus. In this way, more youth farmers will be part of the interventions that will be promoted through the chapter.

Chief Agricultural Economist Christopher Mbewe explained that government is determined to empower and support youths in their agriculture enterprises as enshrined in its policy documents.

“This commitment has been shown through youth policies which are in place to give them a voice and also ensure that they contribute to the economic status of the country through their participation in agriculture enterprises which should translate to increased food security and income,” said Mr Mbewe.

Efforts to ensure youth farmers are captured on the database is one of the priorities of Government, as doing so will enable proper actualization of the youth policies already in place.

“The Zambia Integrated Management Information System (ZAMIS) is an integrated farmer register database, which captures all smallholder farmers countrywide,” Mr Mbewe said.

Jack Changula, is CAADP Youth Chairperson for Zambia and also one of the youth farmers says value addition and processing are among the key areas of interventions; youths want to be supported in their various agriculture enterprises.

“Youth farmers believe these two processes will increase their maximum returns and yield positive results as they seek to sustain themselves and also contribute to the economic status of the country through increased income,” Mr Changula said.

He appealed to government for improved access to land, noting that at least 40% of youth need to own land to productively utilize it for their identified agriculture enterprises. He also highlighted the necessity to have training centres with modern machinery, specifically milking machinery which can be processed into various products meant for market demands.

Mr Changula emphasized the need for farmers to be equipped with knowledge on avoiding post-harvest losses, as doing so will increase their economic status.

He said most youths desired to utilize opportunities such as village banking to boost their financial capacities so as to expand their enterprises. He suggests that, youth farmers would rather set prices themselves than conform to the dictated market prices by other potential buyers to avoid incurring unnecessary losses.

The integration of youth in agriculture is key if they are to sustain themselves and also contribute to agriculture development. With appropriate youth policies in place which support young smallholder farmers in their identified value chains, they should be able to register profitable gains and sustain their agriculture enterprises.

What these youth farmers require is to engage in progressive dialogues which not only gives them a voice, but also the ability to network and build strong partnerships in order to give them impetus to remain competitive. In this way, their participation in their value chains and linkage to potential markets will culminate in increased contribution to improved food security and incomes.

CONTESTING MASCULINITY: WOMEN IN FAO

BY HAPPY MULOLANI
Research shows that women are often marginalized despite being involved in most of the work that occurs in different social contexts. This is against the premise that most African societies are patriarchal in nature and positions men superior to women (Connell, 2002; Banda, 2008).

Patriarchy refers to male dominance and women insubordination which is perpetuated by cultural norms and values. Patriarchy reinforces male dominance over women even through religion as they are expected to be passive and submissive. These assertions are confirmed by a study which argues that cultural values have perpetuated the inequalities between men and women (Mutunda, 2015).

These notions have been perpetuated in work contexts which tend to position men in a hierarchical order. But, over time, these tendencies of men dominance are slowly but surely getting re-configured as more women are now being encouraged to take up positions of authority in organizations.

In particular, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization which has a policy that promotes the equal participation of women. Its policy stipulates that to encourage development, there must be participation not only of men but also women. Through this strategy, it is believed women will take their rightful position and contribute towards organizational goals and development.

FAO’s notion of women participation is especially pivotal in ensuring they contribute to the country’s development. One of the women contributing to the organization’s development agenda is Senduka Siafwa, who is Assistant FAO Representative (Administration).

Ms Siafwa oversees the following key units of the organization which include administration, finance, procurement, human resource, logistics, security and information technology, which comprises nine staff. Of the nine staff, five staff are women, which is rather encouraging to see such kind of gender re-configuration, as more women occupy key positions which was not the case previously.

She described her work at FAO over the last seven and half years, as a unique experience which has enabled her to rise to the challenge.

 “Although work is sometimes challenging, the challenges are outweighed by the realization that I am accountable to many people who look up to me to provide guidance in various processes that contribute towards achieving FAO’s mandate,” Ms Siafwa said.

Ms Siafwa, who has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Baldwin-Wallace University, Ohio, USA and Bachelor of Business Administration from Andrews University, USA (through its campus at Solusi University in Zimbabwe) never had it all rosy to rise to where she is today.

Like many African children, her parents at the time wanted her to pursue a teaching or nursing career because they were perceived as noble professions in her days. However, Ms Siafwa recollects that nursing or teaching was not her passion but to please her parents, she enrolled for nursing. Nevertheless, she quit after six months much to the displeasure of her parents.

“Though I enrolled for nursing, I felt that was not what I wanted to do. After six months, I decided to quit nursing. This disappointed my parents, nonetheless I needed to pursue my dream,” Ms Siafwa said.

After quitting nursing, she enrolled at Andrews University for a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. While at university, she worked not only support herself but to also get acquainted with the terrain of her field of interest. Taking this route was not only challenging but also insightful in navigating her field.

Later, Ms Siafwa went to the United States to pursue her Masters of Business Administration (MBA). The MBA journey she embarked on had no scholarship, but had to be self-financed. With the status quo, she had to work to take care of her financial obligations.

“The university scheduled the lectures to be held in the evenings to accommodate the professionals who desired to further their studies. That worked well for me; I worked full time during the day and attended classes in the evenings,” she said.

During the course of her studies, she became President of the Accounting Association at the university which was the beginning of not only taking up leadership role but also opened doors for job opportunities that she had never anticipated.

“After graduating, I attended several job fairs which exposed me to many opportunities through interactions with various employers. At one such job fair, I was privileged to be interviewed by an organization which offered me a job after a competitive selection process. Although the job was quite demanding, it exposed me to innumerable prospects during my career, “Ms Siafwa said.

Ms Siafwa explains that this exposure prepared her for future job opportunities and thrived on it upon returning to Zambia after completing her studies. She argues that exposure is very important in any career because it presents milestones in any career.

“The acquired exposure enabled me to develop networks and learn about different aspects of work and career progression,” Ms Siafwa said.

This also made her realize that women need as much exposure in order to tap into the opportunities that lie untapped out there.

“Even in this competitive age, opportunities are available to harness exposure that facilitates building networks. Exposure and networking compliment each other,” she said.

This means if women are to tap into any opportunities and find themselves in positions of authority, they should network and acquire the necessary exposure as well as share their experiences.

As Ms Siafwa asserts that sometimes women may be perceived as weak culminating in the dependence syndrome, they need to show persistence and patience in their work endeavours.

“I get motivated to put in my best efforts to inspire other women. Most parents and guardians ought to realize that investing in women fosters into investing in a larger community,” She said.

Gone are the days when women depended on men given the re-configuration which has resulted in more women occupying positions of authority nowadays. This re-configuration is evident in organizations like FAO which promotes women participation in the development process and contributes towards societal needs.

Though patriarchal notions are still existent, the willingness for organizations to contest these notions is feasible, as is the case with FAO. Admittedly, what should be brought to the core is that change is a process and contesting hierarchical structures in which men are positioned as dominant takes considerable time. The onus is on women to build their self-confidence and be assertive to be able to perform tasks which are performed by men.

Ms Siafwa’s testimony is one of those successful women who have found themselves in positions of authority. This should encourage other women to work on their self-confidence and realize that what men can do, women can also do! Once women position themselves in this manner, it will help them be assertive, participate and contribute to the development agenda.

S3P INTERVENTIONS AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KAWAMBWA AND MBALA

By HAPPY MULOLANI

One of the concerns of smallholder farmers in rural areas is lack of proper road-networks which often affects their marketing of agricultural produce. Proper road-networks is key if agricultural production is to be enhanced. This notion is likely to facilitate farmers’ active involvement in their various farming enterprises sustainably and profitably.

Maybin Chanda, a rural smallholder farmer in Kawambwa district laments how poor the road-network was before the intervention of the Smallholder Productivity Promotion Programme (S3P).

“Before S3P came in to support the development of the road-network, it was very difficult to access the market because the road was in a deplorable state, making it very difficult to sale our agriculture produce on time,” says Mr Chanda.

He thanked S3P for the support rendered towards the rehabilitation of the road-network. The timely rehabilitation of the road-network has made it easier to have a direct link to diverse potential markets.

Mr Chanda further revealed that there was no storage facility for farmers to place their produce at strategic points, making bulking a mission to accomplish. But now the area has a storage shed with the support of S3P coupled with the improved road-network.

“It is a blessing for us to have a storage facility located strategically and good road-network because now our ability to reach potential markets is significantly great and more farmers have been attracted to embark on various agriculture enterprises,” said Mr Chanda.

Mr Chanda emphatically said farmers are no longer focusing on cultivating maize only, instead they have also learnt that diversification will help them to register better profit margins given the good infrastructure in place.

He says during the period S3P offered its support towards the provision of infrastructure, which has triggered more participation of farmers in various agriculture enterprises. This is evident in how the provision of infrastructure has eased accessibility to potential markets which was a major problem in the past.

S3P Programme Coordinator Martin Liywalii retaliated that for the programme to adequately support farmers, there was need to help with infrastructure in order to facilitate their linkage to potential markets. This idea coupled with instilling in farmers appropriate marketing skills and value addition was pivotal in ensuring farmers engage sustainably in their agriculture enterprises.

Mr Liywalii reaffirmed that the project endeavoured to deliver government policy of increasing food production, income generation and economic growth for the target households.

He also disclosed that the programme ensured that camp extension officers in the field were supported with motor bikes to ensure their mobility and increase their number of field visits to farmers in their catchment areas.

Mr Liywalii echoed that though the programme was originally conceptualized to focus on supporting four commodities of focus which include cassava, beans, groundnuts and maize. The programme realized after re-evaluation, the need to broaden its support base to other commodities such as soya beans coupled with infrastructure.

Another smallholder farmer in Mbala in Northern Province Elizabeth Nampasa hailed the programme for facilitating trainings through cooperative societies. Mrs Nampasa said before farmers undertook any trainings which had a business inclination, their cooperatives were stagnant in their agriculture activities due to lack of knowledge and skills centred on entrepreneurship.

“As a cooperative, we never used to advance or progress until 2018 when three cooperative societies were invited for entrepreneurship skills leadership and business development through S3P’s support. After undergoing these trainings, there was a difference…” said Mrs Nampasa.

These trainings have stimulated interest among farmers to engage in various avenues which inculcate and promote a business culture in order for them to be viable entities. It is clear for cooperatives to be profitable entities, there is need to engage in enterprises which positions them with a higher bargaining power.

The cooperative presently owns a house which they lease out at K350 per month. They have also acquired a hammermill. These properties the cooperative possess helps it to generate its own funds and run sustainably.

It is also encouraging that the District Cooperative Union (DCU) has managed to employ a manager who is very useful and supports cooperatives with any support they need to progress in their enterprises.

Department of Cooperatives Director Shadreck Mungalaba, explained that strengthening district farmer associations through capacity building is key. This is in order for these associations to be independent and viable entities. For instance, six (6) district cooperative unions along with 550 farmer groups at camp level were strengthened through capacity building during the period of S3P’s implementation process.

Mr Mungalaba emphasized that part of sustainability efforts is to continue with interventions such as gender mainstreaming in trainings given that the participation of women in the production process is key. And there is need for beneficiary participation in trainings to be based on cost-sharing, in this way, the dependency on government or donors will be lessened.

He advised that sustainability efforts need to re-think how the Department of Co-operatives facilitates linkage with business development service providers and other development partners. The department in collaboration with other partners needs to encourage and support diversification and value addition among smallholder farmers.

Though there were some bottlenecks during the implementation of S3P such as delayed funding which is key to undertaking any trainings, some lessons learnt were to ensure the involvement of the cooperative department during all the processes of future collaborating programmes in order to sustain the process when programmes phase-out.

Clearly, S3P’s support towards infrastructure and cooperatives is a milestone which requires continuity, it is hoped smallholder farmers will sustain the agriculture development agenda by actualizing ideas through their organised cooperatives. These ideas should be tailored towards increased agriculture production, nutrition and increased income. 

S3P EMPOWERS SMALLHOLDER FARMERS

By HAPPY MULOLANI

Over the years, efforts to prioritize the agriculture sector through the National Agriculture Policy and Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) have heightened, prompting the Government of Zambia to partner with development partners in order to contribute towards agriculture development.

One such partner is the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) which has co-financed a number of programmes to develop and support appropriate interventions meant to upscale smallholder farmers in different commodities of focus.

In light of this, IFAD and the Government of Zambia co-financed the Smallholder Productivity Promotion Programme (S3P) over a period of seven years, from December 9, 2011 to December 31, 2019. The programme’s mandate was to improve the income levels and food and nutrition security of poor rural households. These households were targeted on the premise of their dependence on agriculture and other agricultural related activities as their source of livelihood. The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, coupled with other government departments and service providers.

Its primary focus was to enable smallholder rural farmers increase production, productivity and sales of smallholder farmers. The programme also envisaged to promote sustainable smallholder productivity growth. Its other goal was to facilitate an enabling environment for productivity growth.

The programme targeted to assist 67,000 small-scale agricultural households during its duration. Its mandate was to achieve at least one of the following objectives by the time of its phase-out. First, increased household asset ownership. Second, increased savings in household savings; Third, reduction in incidences of malnutrition and ultimately increased food security (IFAD Report, 2011).

In all, the programme development objective was to contribute to increased agricultural production, productivity and sales of smallholder farmers in Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces.

At inception, the programme had four major commodities based on the cassava farming system. These are cassava, mixed beans, groundnuts and rice. But, after review and re-orientation of the programme, the commodity of focus was no longer limited to the four crops, rather co-opted soya beans.

Recently, a National S3P Phase-Out Conference held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka announced that the programme was closing. The event drew its participants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Livestock staff, key stakeholders and players.

S3P Programme Manager Martin Liywalii disclosed that the financing agreement of the programme was valued at a cost $39.9 million United States.

Mr Liywalii highlighted that the agreement between the Government of Zambia and IFAD was signed on December 9, 2011.

“The programme was planned to end on 31^st December, 2017 but was extended by one year. This resulted in the programme being implemented for eight years and its financing closing on 31^st December, 2019,”he said.

Mr Liywalii explained that despite the programme targetting 60,000 beneficiary smallholder farming families, the number was later increased to 67,500 smallholder farming families. Interestingly, the programme exceeded its target and outreach recorded 72,000 smallholder farming families in 28 districts and 150 agricultural camps in three provinces of Zambia, namely; Northern, Muchinga, and Luapula provinces. He noted however that the 72,000 smallholder farm families have been subjected to a process of validation which is still on-going.

Agriculture Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo said that government attaches great importance to boosting production levels in the agriculture sector.

Mr Zyambo noted that smallholder farmers needed adequate support in order to contribute towards increased agriculture production.

He advised that upcoming programmes needed to draw lessons from S3P’s interventions, challenges and positive strides. By so doing, the food security and nutrition security and income levels among the poor agricultural households will be sustainably improved.

A unique feature of S3P’s exit strategy is, calling upon key players, stakeholders and ministry staff to share lessons learnt, challenges and successes. Admittedly, these are a benchmark of how the programme fared in the past eight years. It is also these benchmarks that a proposed sustainability strategy can be adopted. This is premised on the understanding that if no proper mechanisms of sustainability are devised and enforced, continuity among smallholder farmers is unlikely.

In view of this, S3P Extension Specialist Micheal Chishimba explained that the Ministry of Agriculture, which was the main implementer partnered with other service providers which included Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) and Total Land Care (TLC). This Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach strengthened farmers’ ability to organize producers for bulking of production and marketing purposes. Besides, strengthening farmer linkages widened the range of households served.

The PPP approach comprising Ministry of Agriculture, TLC and COMACO allowed for more farmers to benefit from trainings during Farmer Field Schools.

Mr Chishimba revealed that the programme recorded 64,447 against a target of 30,000, with 49 percent female beneficiaries, which indicates increased female participation. However, this number is presently under validation by the Ministry of Agriculture.

He said that through the programme’s intervention, there is improved facilitation skills, with 233 staff imparted with skills. While, 1,689 lead farmers have been equipped with improved farmer field schools facilitation and 64,447 farmers with improved technical and business skills, of which 49 percent have been empowered.

A smallholder beneficiary farmer in Mbala, Elizabeth Nampasa appreciated S3Ps trainings conducted to three cooperative societies in the area. The trainings focused on entrepreneurship skills, leadership and business trainings.

“Prior to these trainings, the cooperatives in the area were stagnant and not viable, which is no longer the case now,” says Ms Nampasa.

She added that after undergoing these trainings, the cooperative societies came up with business plans which have since been actualized. This is meant to run their cooperatives as business entities in order to be sustainable and profitable.

This approach means as S3P phases out, both farmers and experts have gained skills to facilitate their agriculture enterprises through continued production, bulking and increase the volumes of sales, which is in line with the 7NDP’s goal of improved food security and nutrition and income.

 As S3P winds down, the programme has contributed towards building partnerships through the PPP approach among rural smallholder farmers aimed at strengthening capacity building, bulking and linkage to potential markets, which is key for sustainability.

It is prudent for the PPP approach to facilitate appropriate linkages in order to ensure continuity of the project ideals even after the programme phase-out, otherwise, encouraging farmers to increase their production is good but production in the absence of strong linkages, will not only be weak but futile. Thus, S3P’s exit strategy leaves room for other programmes to draw on their lessons learnt, challenges and successes.