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FRIDAY BRIEF
WEEK 15, 2016
THIS Week’s Highlights……….
GOVERNMENT BANS MAIZE EXPORTS
ILLEGAL MEALIE EXPORT ALONG DRC BORDER UPSURGES
…AS KABOMPO FARMERS FASTDRY MAIZE
MKUSHI COUNCIL REDUCES GRAIN LEVY
..... SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW……
INDUSTRY UPDATES
GOVERNMENT BANS MAIZE EXPORTS The Government on 5th April, 2016 banned the exports of maize and maize products with immediate
effect for a period of one week. When announcing the ban, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Mr. Julius
Shawa stated that the suspension was aimed at stabilizing mealie meal prices across the country. The
government is currently undertaking a verification exercise to ascertain the actual quantities of maize
available in the country and the export ban may be extended depending on the outcome of the
verification exercise.
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ILLEGAL MEALIE EXPORT ALONG DRC BORDER UPSURGES The Illegal export of mealie meal and maize bran has reached alarming levels with almost all border
points with the Democratic Republic of Congo on the Copperbelt experiencing the scourge. It is
reported that some people are using bush tracks to ferry the commodity into the DRC which is
fetching around K200 per 25kg bag. The practice has caused an acute shortage of the commodities in
most parts of the Copperbelt resulting into panic buying by residents. This also has resulted in price
hikes of the two commodities in some cases costing around K110 per 25 kg of breakfast meal while
maize bran has also gone up selling around K45 per bag by some retailers.
…AS KABOMPO FARMERS FASTDRY MAIZE Farmers in Kabompo have resorted to drying maize and selling to desperate consumers around the
province. A random check by ZNFU found a lot of trucks loading Maize bags from this year's harvest
enroot to Chavuma. Kabompo District Farmers' Farmers Association George Munyingu said such
desperate measures by farmers will not help them progress. Mr. Munyingu said most of the proceeds
from such transactions are not often planned for and it becomes difficult to reinvest in the next
farming season. Some of the traders said maize is selling better in Zambezi and Chavuma with a 10Kg
bag going at K25.00.
MKUSHI COUNCIL REDUCES GRAIN LEVY Mkushi District Council has reduced grain levy by 50 percent from K0.90 to K0.45 per 50 kg bag. The
council has also reduced the cattle movement fee from K15 to K10 per animal; Pig movement from K7
to K2 per animal and tobacco levy from K0.30 to K0.03 per Kg. This came to light during a meeting
held on 3rd April, 2016 between Mkushi Council and Mkushi Farmers Association (MFA). The New
Council Secretary Mr. Jovax Ngoma informed the meeting that the Council had decided to go by the
recent negotiated fees between the two parties. Furthermore, he emphasized that despite the existing
provisions in the Statutory Instrument of Grain Levy which is at K0.90 per 50kg bag, the council had
taken into consideration, farmer’s concerns on high cost of production. Meanwhile, MFA Vice
chairperson Paul Kingdom and MFA Council Representative Mr. Bruce Skinner commended the new
Council Secretary for honouring the agreement and for taking a bold decision which will not only
enhance the relationship between the two parties but also enhance the development of the
agricultural sector in the district.
SOYA BEANS STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR TAX INCENTIVES Soya beans stakeholders have asked for tax incentives from government in order to increase
investments in the subsector. This came to light at a soya beans value chain conference organized by
ZACCI in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO) project called Yapasa on 7th and
8th April in Lusaka. Stakeholders expressed concern over the high interest rates which were among the
challenges identified by all the players along the value chain that needed to be quickly addressed.
Among the resolutions made by the stakeholders was for government to adopt policies that support
production and exports of soya beans and soya products. The conference further noted that there was
need for increased sensitization on the warehouse receipt system as well as the use of the E-voucher
system in accessing inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme. Timely access to inputs and
increased access to extension services were noted to be critical for increased productivity and
production of soya beans.
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The stakeholders were of the view that government should continue monitoring and regulating the
country’s importation of edible oils until the local production base is expanded to self-sufficiency
levels. It was further highlighted that there was need for stakeholder consultations if supportive and
consistent policies are to be formulated by government.
The objective of the conference was to enable sector stakeholders discuss and share sector specific
challenges, opportunities and recommendations for improvement. The meeting was attended by
agricultural input suppliers, farmers, traders, agro-processors and financial institutions.
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ALERTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZAMBIAN FARMER TV PROGRAMME
Don’t miss next week’s episode of the Zambian Farmer TV programme presenting “2016 Agritech
Preview.’’
The ‘’Zambian Farmer” is a ZNFU sponsored programme which is aired every Monday at 18:25hrs and
repeated on Thursdays at 12:30 hrs on the ZAMBIA National Broadcaster Corporation, ZNBC TV1. You
can also buy DVDs of your favourite Zambian Farmer TV program episodes from the ZNFU Head Office
or you can make an order through your respective DFA office
OPPORTUNITY FOR A FARMING PARTNERSHIP An emergent farmer based in Mumbwa Big Concession area along Mumbwa/Kasempa road is interested
in partnering with fellow farmers. He has three hundred hectares (300 ha) of land with road frontage
suitable for all agricultural purposes.
For those interested, kindly call 0977 701030 or email: [email protected]
AGRICULTURAL HOLIDAYS i. New Year’s Day – 1st January
ii. Women’s Day – 8th March
iii. Good Friday
iv. Labour Day – 1st May
v. African Freedom Day
vi. Heroes Day – First Monday in July
vii. Unity Day – first Tuesday in July
viii. Farmers Day – First Monday in August
ix. Independence Day 24th October
x. Christmas Day – 25th December
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LIQUID NITROGEN FOR SALE AT BREEDING IMPULS ZAMBIA "Breeding Impuls Zambia would hereby like to inform you that it now has Liquid Nitrogen available from
its premises in the Agricultural and Commercial Society Zambia grounds. Our address is Fens Investment
Building, Lusaka Show grounds, Cattle section.
FARMS FOR SALE/LEASE
Land for long-term lease available in Miengwe, Ndola Rural. One kilometre from the Great
North Road on the road leading to Chief Nkambo’s Palace/Teka Farm. Up to 20 hectares to be
leased. Contact Nancy Mubanga 0966457674/0955457674 or e-mail
[email protected], [email protected]
1,000 acres Farm in Kapiri/Mkushi on sale or long lease. Four Kilometres from Great North
Road, 1KM from ZESCO grid, 4km from Tazara Railway. Farm on a 99-year Government lease.
Farm is bordered by two rivers on either side. 300 acres cleared. A unique deal offer. Call
0955424201 or e-mail [email protected]
40 hectares Farm located I the Mpima Dairy Scheme in Kabwe for lease. Farm is on a 99-year
Government lease. It is bordered partly by the Mulungushi Dam. For enquiries, contact
0955569168/0977786367/0977883442 or email [email protected] or
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NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
EASTERN B REGION
FARMERS ADVISED TO ADOPT SMART AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY
The District Commissioner for Petauke district, Ms. Velenasi B. Moyo, has advised the farmers in
Petauke district to adopt smart agriculture technologies if they are to sustain their farming activities
amidst the changing climate. Speaking during the Provincial field day organized by CFU in
collaboration with ZNFU, the DC told the farmers that her office was concerned with the slow rate at
which farmers were adopting conservation farming technologies in the district despite receiving
trainings from CFU and other stakeholders for over 10 years now in the district. This year’s provincial
field day was themed’ ’Conservation Farming for High Yields, Food Security and High Income in times of
Climate Change.’’ And over 1200 farmers were in attendance.
MUCHINGA REGION
MUCHINGA PROVINCE RECEIVES E-VOUCHER AWARENESS AND SENSITIZATION MEETINGS
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, a combined team of officers from Zambia National
Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), Musika and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries were in the
province to conduct sensitization and awareness meetings on the use of the e-voucher system on the
Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) starting this coming farming season.
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Three pilot districts namely: Chinsali, Isoka and Nakonde have been selected in Muchinga Province to
participate on this pilot program.
WESTERN REGION
TOMATO PRICE HITS RECORD HIGH
A snap survey conducted by the ZNFU Regional office in Kaoma and the surrounding districts of
western province in the past four days have reviewed that the price of a standard tomato box is
ranging between K120 and K300, the highest being in Limulunga at K300, Mongu between K180 and
K200, whilst Kaoma is the lowest between K120 and K140.
MOA CALLS FOR IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY
The Provincial Agriculture Coordinator for Central Province, Dr. Adren Nansungwe has called upon
farmers to unite and work hard in order to increase their agricultural productivity. She said this during
her visit at Mulilabanyama agricultural area of Itezhi tezhi district when she graced the District field
day that was held at Mr. Madyabi's farm on 4th April, 2016. She further observed that due to the
abundance of the water resource in Itezhitezhi, she appealed to the farmer to exploit this resource by
coming up with irrigation schemes that would enable them to diversify and product quality
improvement.
NORTH/WESTERN B REGION
GOVERNMENT APPLAUSES CHAVUMA FARMERS
North Western Province Minister Hon. Danny Chingimbu has expressed happiness to Chavuma
farmers for efforts made in growing maize. The minister said it was satisfying and humbling to see
how far Chavuma farmers have come in trying to promote food security in their households. Speaking
to farmers and other stakeholders after a tour of farmsteads, Mr. Chingimbu said previously, it was
difficult to see some good standing crop. Mr. Chingimbu further said with the efforts that farmers
were making in the district, government was also committed to helping the small scale farmers to
grow. Mr. Chingimbu said it was evident as the government has demonstrated that more farmers
shall benefit from FISP following the impartial introduction of the e-voucher system which the
government introduced a season ago. Mr. Chingimbu said the e-voucher system had brought a lot of
sanity to FISP and government is committed to insuring that all districts are covered as evidenced by
the inclusion of other districts across the country which included Mwinilunga and Solwezi in the
Northwestern. The stakeholders meeting and maize field tour with the Hon. Minister took place on
Tuesday 5th April, 2016.
FRA OVERWHELMED BY MAIZE DEMAND
Following some mealie meal shortages and hiked prices in shops for the commodity, the Food
Reserve Agency (FRA) sheds were overwhelmed by Chavuma residents trying to buy maize offloaded
to the community by the Government. Having been allowed to sell 587 by 50kg bags of maize from
the 24th of March 2016, Chavuma FRA office attained the target within a fortnight. The news that FRA
was selling maize at K80 per 50kg bag compelled all community members to opt for the commodity
with more people still urging the Agency to extend the period as well as to increase on the number of
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bags offloaded to the community. Meanwhile, a check by ZNFU in the district revealed that the retail
agents were selling a 25Kg bag of mealie meal at K150.00
AT AGRITECH EXPO 2016, LOOK OUT FOR THE TOP RANGING SANTA GETRUDIS BULLS, BORAN
BULLS, IN-CALF DAIRY HEIFERS, BOER GOATS AND SHEEP AT THE EXPANDED LIVESTOCK
SECTION. CATTLE AUCTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED. THOSE INTERESTED IN BUYING SHOULD
CONTACT ZNFU STATING THEIR INTENTIONS.
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