18 November, 2015 - No rains yet ... and ... ZNFU Agro Watch Notes

This blog represents the views of the author alone, and does not reflect the opinions of his employer, Concern Worldwide. 

Greetings, again dear readers wherever or whoever you may be.

We are still awaiting the "planting rains", three days after a singularly important day on two levels for me as an agriculturalist in Zambia, and as a Yooper. November 15th to the 25th is highly critical for Zambian farmers as it represents the optimal planting window for maize. Why? I'll summarize a few hours worth of training into a few bullets:

• Nitrogen flush:   Once rains kick off, the air and soil temperatures drop off precipitously (a brief aside ... last week I was in mid-40s C temps in Liuwa Plains NP, Kalabo, Mongu, Senanga, Sesheke, Livingstone, and Chirundu ... maybe I'll write briefly about ringing the west and south, maybe not. Anyway, the precipitous drop means soil temps go down to low 30s/high 20s ... still plenty of heating units even in mulched soils). Once these temps drop (and some moisture comes into play), saprotrophs and heterotrophs start breaking down organic material in the soil, which is then  mineralized into plant available forms (plants don't chew raw nutrients ... they suck it up as a solution, another reason moisture is key). Anyway, flush is the real word ... it's there and gone in a hurry as our soil temps are generally high, and in farmed fields, the tradition of burning crop residues prior to planting reduces available organic matter. The microbes essentially eat and reproduce themselves out of house and home in a hurry, even faster if they till the soil (which increases oxidation and mineralization rates by aerobic bacteria. Anyway, long and short is that if you can catch that flush, especially in maize, you get a huge boost in the critical first four weeks of the plant growth, effectively developing a much more effective photosynthetic engine. 

• Daylength:  Maize is a sun-loving plant; not a surprise, given the demands it puts on the photosynthetic outputs (big stalk, heavy cobs, etc). We don't see this much in temperate climes as we have comparatively long summer days (heat and degree days are more the problem). However, in Zambia, days range from 13 hours in the summer (with longer in the south) to 11 hours in the winter. Catching as much sun as possible means more photosynthetic output, and consequently, a bigger plant. Some estimates show that yield loses from planting after November 25th equal 2% of potential yield per day (!). Also, and I'm wandering out onto thin ice, but maize often flowers (depending on the genotypes) based off the daylength, which can mean some plants may flower prior to being "ready" (growth-wise) to flower. It, like all aspects of maize, are somewhat strange and fascinating ... a great thesis from a Zambian student at Iowa State in the late 1980s explains somewhat why tropical maize grown in the temperate zones gets really big (leafy) but produces little (something I've observed as well). 

• Rain: This damnable ENSO (el Nino) event is going to make life miserable for farmers despite rainbows, prayers, days of fasting, etc. (Appealing to the Almighty is understandable and I often do so myself, but the extent that it actively destroys agency and responsibility gets a bit wearisome). Anyway, we are going to have short (late start, early finish) rains, and likely low annual accumulations between October and April, the months in which nearly all the rain falls and which we typically measure. The earlier you plant, and combined with the above, the more of that rain you catch, the better the yield. 

Long and short, plant early ... and not just maize! 

Notes from ZNFU Friday Brief (Week 46) (My notes in red text):

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Given Lubinda, MP has assured maize farmers in Zambia that maize markets will still be available for the 2015/2016 crop despite the increasing input costs that farmers are currently experiencing. The Minister said this when ZNFU President, Dr Nguleka and her team presented an Issues paper on the increasing costs of maize production for the 2015/2016 crop at the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday 13^th November 2015. The Minister assured maize farmers that government will allow market forces (demand and supply) to operate in order to ensure farmers get a better price for their crop. Hon. Lubinda observed that farming is a business and government will continue to provide a conducive environment aimed at encouraging further investment in the sector.

I was at the recent IAPRI conference for Western and Southern Provinces (same day) and he (Hon. Lubinda) was in attendance. Welcome relief (I'm on Minister of Agriculture #4 or 5 since 2010) as he seems fairly straightforward, though no one could ever match Bob Sichinga's sensayuma. Anyway, if they want farming to be a business, GRZ needs to pull out of both FISP and FRA. Lubinda gets that, but maize subsidies are like holding the proverbial political wolf by the ears: you don't like it, but you sure as hell don't want to let go.

SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION: THE BLOOMING INDUSTRY

The oilseed stakeholders met on 11^th November at the ZNFU offices to review the market situation of soya beans and other oilseeds. Whilst expressing appreciation the importance of maintaining export relations, the stakeholders agreed that there was need for stakeholder consultations before any exports of soya beans could be allowed so as to support the growth of the soya beans value chain. During the deliberations, the farmers indicated that there was need for traders and processors to enter into pre-planting contracts with the farmers, as uncertainty over the markets affects the farmer’s decision on what quantities of the crop to grow. The farmers were assured that demand of soya beans would be high in 2016 and that some off-takers were ready to sign supply contracts with the farmers.

The stakeholders were informed that there was readily available sunflower market with the demand in 2015 projected at least 50,000MT by oilseed crusher with a potential to expand further should supply increase. Farmers were encouraged to grow high oleic sunflower varieties to attract premium prices.  Stakeholders however bemoaned the inadequate supply of high yielding sunflower seed varieties on the local market and proposed that seed companies should be engaged for sustainable growth of the sunflower industry.

I take some pride in being part of the introduction of sunflowers into Western Province in 2010 and 2011. However, despite it growing fine (if planted early) in Zambia with minimal inputs and efforts, it is still planted on a relatively low scale. The whole out-grower scheme would be ideal but for the fact that our farming season straddles the fiscal year turnover. The farmers have it right on this; knowing the price in advance would likely guarantee production, as marketing points for sunflower are not nearly as ubiquitous as maize.

 2015 WHEAT PRODUCTION ESTIMATED AT OVER 300,000 TONS

The ZNFU wheat and barley commodity committee met on Thursday 12^th November 2015 to review the 2015 wheat production estimates. Based on information captured through satellite imagery, the total area under wheat in 2015 was 46,156 hectares out of which, 42,564Ha was observed to be normal, 1,916Ha had somewhat stressed/below average wheat while 1,675ha had stressed wheat. The total production has been estimated at 309,100 of wheat while the 2015 barley crop harvest has been pegged at 8,800tons. The farmers expressed concern on the high levels of uncommitted wheat crop still available in the farmers’ hands with little propensity by the millers to purchase the crop. The meeting was further informed that the estimated national wheat consumption requirement is 387,193MT. It was however highlighted that due to load shedding, indication from the millers was that while there have been some attempts to invest in alternative sources of power, their normal production levels had dropped by about 30%. It was further stated that demand for flour and flour products was being affected by the rising cost of living.

Just a note ... nearly all wheat is grown by a relative handful of very large scale farmers (inclusive of quite a number of white ex-Zimbabweans) under pivot irrigation. It's sown just after the rains and irrigated throughout the early part of the dry season, then matures and dries under the later, hotter part of the dry season; usually they combine it in early October. It still is the strangest thing to go from a farmer working with a hoe on a quarter hectare to a person operating a 50 foot combine through 250ha of wheat in the same day.

WATER SHORTAGE HITS COPPERBELT

Copperbelt like many other districts in the country has experienced low water levels ever recorded with most perennial streams and wells drying up. Farmers in the countryside have expressed worry over the water crisis as most of their livestock depend on streams and wells for their water. Farmers have to walk long distances to fetch for water.  Others have resorted to drive to nearby towns to draw water in drums for their livestock, and for domestic use. A Mr. Mwale of Mufulira Murundu farming area explained that for the first time, he has witnessed a perennial stream drying up. "This is very sad, my animals are dying, vegetables completely wilting" Mr Mwale lamented. 

Meanwhile, a group of farmers in Ndola have mobilised themselves and have requested the regional office to assist in finding a borehole driller and negotiate the prices so that they can have boreholes in their farms as a measure to mitigate the water crisis. And a named borehole driller has since been approached and negotiations are currently underway.

Good thing climate change is just a myth ... right? More like what my friend Rolf Shenton says; Zambia's capacity to absorb rain is being destroyed as forests fall to charcoal and farms.

KATETE DC DISSOLVES ERRING CAC COMMITTEE

The District Commissioner for Katete district has dissolved the Camp Agriculture Committee (CAC) for Chilembwe Agricultural Camp after discovering that the CAC committee and the Camp Extension Officer could not account for k 20,000.00 contribution made by Cooperatives and other farmers groups for CAC activities. The CAC committee could not also account for 138 packs of fertilizer under the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) which were allocated to the agricultural camp. During the meeting held on 6^th November 2015 the area Councilor for Chimwi Ward appealed to the DC through the DACO to consider replacing the Camp Extension Officer.

Typical FISP ... usually it doesn't get reported.

E-VOUCHER CARDS DISTRIBUTION ON COURSE

The distribution of FISP e-voucher in Mumbwa district has so far gone well with over 75% of the cards already issued to beneficiary farmers. More than 12,000 cards have been issued to the beneficiaries against the intended 16,239 beneficiaries as the exercise continues.

As usual, behind schedule ... 

At the same meeting last week, I was somewhat surprised by the tacit, subtle resistance to the e-vouchers, which have been in play by FAO, CFU, hell, even Concern since 2007ish. It's a relatively simple thing ... you get a credit card sized voucher with a fixed value, take it to a participating agrodealer, and redeem inputs against the value of that card ... agrodealers get paid fairly quickly, and there's zero transport costs to the government (the farmers collect the voucher). However, standard FISP distribution is a powerful expression of gift-giving (go read My African Friends and Money Matters) that accrues repute to the giver. Power. That's the tall beer. I have it figured they want it to fail because it deprives them of that power.

However, the exercise has faced a minor challenge in one agriculture camp of the district where a few farmers could not collect their cards due to some unexplained religious conviction. The farmers who could not pick up the cards belong to Mpusu Agriculture Camp north of Mumbwa district.

Huh...

FARMERS’ REPRESENTATIVE CALLS FOR INTRODUCTION OF THE FISP E-CARD IN ALL DISTRICTS

Kabompo District Farmers' Association (DFA) chairman, George Munyingu, has called on government to extend the use of the FISP e-voucher card to other districts in the country. Speaking during the Kabompo DFA executive committee meeting on Wednesday this week, Mr. Munyingu said the use of the e-card will bring sanity in the implementation of the FISP exercise. He further added that the use of the e-card will eliminate a lot of discrepancies currently being experienced under the FISP program. He cited some farmer organizations which do not have proven membership but are receiving huge amounts of input packs thereby disadvantaging real farmer organisations.

Read that vs. the bit above. Farmers like it because they are more in control of when they get their inputs.

FISP BENEFICIARY FARMERS STILL WAITING FOR SEED INPUTS

All the districts in North Western B region have not received the allocated seed. A check at the storage sheds in various districts found warehouse managers still waiting to receive the seed. The affected districts are Chavuma, Kabompo, Manyinga and Zambezi.

Another reason to switch to e-cards ... waiting on other people sucks.

Remember the poor.

November 2nd, 2015 - ZNFU Friday Brief, Week #44

The views expressed in this blog are the opinions of the author, and do not reflect the views of Concern Worldwide.

As I peer out the office window, I see what the collective corpus of Zambian agriculture has been waiting to see for a long time; darkness brought on by burgeoning dark clouds and the first breathe of cool air in months. Not 30 minutes I ran out to sow the small plot I've prepared next to the office with Crotalaria (sunnhemp, red and black) and Mucuna (velvet beans); the hope is that they will emerge quickly and overwhelm the other weeds, particularly the nasty couch grass (Cynodon dactylon), the bane of all fertile, tilled land on this new and ancient continent.

This first rain is as eagerly awaited by agriculturalists as I suppose it is by farmers; reason being is that the rural poor tend to be aware of the date, but understandably, fall into something of a lethargic mode due to the heat of October. "understandably" is my concession to the fact that when temperatures hit the low forties Centigrade (around 110 Fahrenheit), your capacity to think, let alone plan and work, is severely limited. The incipient rain breaks this slumber; people shift into high gear, looking for money for seeds, renting oxen / ploughs / tractors, digging ridges / basins (damn things are hard to dig when the soil's bone-dry and rock-hard), etc.

"Oh! the joy." Wrote Clark when  he saw the Pacific. An immense wind carried every dry leave, every loose piece of grass, every mote of dust was carried from west to east (odd direction for the wind to rise). At approximately 16:48 GMT, the skies opened ... and now it's lashing down at a 30 degree angle off vertical. Great relief not to have to water the garden for awhile, though I'm sure there will be issues with the sewerage tonight (things get hardened up and half the drains clog.

ZNFU Friday Brief, Week #44 (my comments in red)

ANNUAL INFLATION RATE HITS 6 YEAR RECORD

Zambia’s annual rate of inflation was recorded at 14.3 percent for the month of October 2015 by the Central Statistical Office. This means that on average, prices increased by 14.3 percent between October 2014 and October 2015.  This is above the September 2015 inflation rate of 7.7 percent. The last time Zambia’s annual rate of inflation was at similar levels was in August 2009.  According to CSO, the sharp increase in the October 2015 inflation rate was as a result of increase in prices of both food and non-food items. Transport recorded the highest price increments of 23.8 percent. The only consumer, price index (CPI) groups that did not record any price increment were housing, electricity, gas and other fuels and communication which were constant in comparison to the other month 

ZNFU APPEARS IN PARLIAMENT TO MAKE SUBMISSIONS ON THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL

The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) appeared before the parliamentary committee on Economic Affairs, Energy and Labour to make submissions on the Employment (Amendment) Bill on Thursday 29^th October 2015 at parliament buildings. The Union was happy that the Bill took on board key issues that ZNFU lobbied the Minister of Labour last year during stakeholder consultations. For example, the Bill provides for “seasonal employment” which is defined as employment under a contract of service where timing and duration of the contract is influenced by seasonal factors such as climate, agricultural or business peak cycle. This is good especially for members growing crops such as tobacco that has an 11 months business cycle. Further, the Bill also allows “casual employees” (I refer to them as the hunger serfs), and that this relates to a person whose employment is not permanent in nature; and does not require any skill in the performance of the work done for a period of 6 months.

However, the Union was concerned that employers under fixed term contract would still be required to pay service benefits (such as 3 months basic pay per year served on retirement, 2 months per year served on redundancy, e.t.c. on top of NAPSA service benefits. They have a legitimate beef here ... every month employers pay NAPSA (Natl Pension Scheme)   which is somewhat like Social Security; this  The Union noted that these service benefits are a liability to members as they are not accounted for in taxes because they are future expenses for employers.  In addition, many farmers in Zambia, especially emergent farmers, are not covered by collective agreements and will be unable to create jobs if they have to abide by the minimum wages and conditions of service Act.

I included this because most emergent farm labour is very under the table; the further out you go from the Hub, the more labour is paid in food. It's not a labour market; on the contrary, this year, there's more hungry mouths attached to those idle hands. We were talking to some farmers a few weeks back and they explained you get a basin of cassava for digging a quarter hectare (over half an acre), and that finding work had gotten harder and harder. Concern calls this hidden hunger; there is food around, but many can't get to it. 

August 15th, 2015 - ZNFU Weekly Friday Brief (Week #33)

Excerpts from the ZNFU Weekly Friday Brief, Week 33
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There is an inescapable sense of doom in this one ... the combination of uncertainty over ZESCO and the worry about the next season's rainfall pattern leave me with a bit of a sense that the world is tearing loose from it's moorings. This has been abetted by me finding out Sesame Street is headed to HBO this morning; the surrender of this planet to the worship of money.

As usual, if any ... Author's notes in red:

FRA MAINTAINS MAIZE PURCHASE PRICE…

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has maintained its maize purchase price for the 2015/16 marketing season at K70 per 50kg bag or K1, 400 /MT.  The agency will be buying a 40kg bag of rice at K60. The agency has further stated that it would start the purchase of grain next week Monday 17^th August 2015. Eligible farmers will be paid over the counter through identified Financial and Banking institutions after presenting official purchase documents as a way of uploading accountability and governance in the use of public resources. 

Public resources are usually released to the farmers after 4 to 8 months if we're going off past performance of the FRA.

ZESCO LTD URGED TO INCREASE EMERGENCY MEASURES

The power outlook from now until the next rainy season remains gloomy. ZESCO revealed at a meeting with farmers held on 13^th August 2015 that participation in load shedding measures to curb demand has to come from everybody. The mines who are currently not being load shed have been engaged by ZESCO and are expected to furnish ZESCO with details on how they will contribute to reducing their demand for power in two weeks because the country’s generation is on the brink of a shutdown.  From the information shared at the meeting, it was evident that a shutdown at Kariba could occur in early October, if the mines maintain a business as usual stance because then only 68.9 days of power (oh snap) is what is available under this scenario. However, with all participating in load shedding including the mines, generation at Kariba stretches into November resulting in 98.5 days of power becoming available. Wow, the reservoirs don't usually start to fill until New Years' ... particularly when the are as silly low as they are now.

  

Going forward, additional power is expected to come from Itezhi Tezhi, 120 MW in early November and in January 2016, 150MW is expected from Coal Generation by the IPP at Maamba while another 150MW is expected to follow in March 2016 from the same source. However, these being new generation plants, the time frames could vary suddenly as circumstances keep evolving.  In addition, 174 MW emergency power has been secured from Mozambique (wait a minute ... isn't Cabora Bassa downstream of Kariba Dam?) and this will be available until December. Meanwhile, ZESCO indicated that a forecast of power (under different scenarios) for Zambia and the region will only be ready by end August, 2014 (2016) although one of the big unknown factors will be the rainfall pattern for this year.

After deliberations, it was resolved that ZESCO should concentrate on importing as much power as it can to cover the deficit and that ERB should look at the pricing mechanism without delay. There was a general feeling that paying more for imported expensive power given the current circumstances is better than the huge costs associated with running generators.  In addition, engage Government to take immediate measures to reduce the cost of diesel by removing the added taxes so that the cost of running generators reduces. Further, the negative impact of load shedding on the agricultural sector should be clearly stipulated to policy makers because poor performance of the agriculture sector has ramifications on the country’s food security and job levels. This would manifest in rising inflation and macroeconomic instability because as production of food gets affected by load shedding, imports will have to fill the gap and this will put more pressure on the exchange rate.

Just a note ... commercial farmers in Zambia produce a great deal of wheat, some barley, and sugar thanks to the wonder of irrigation. However, pivot irrigation schemes require a great deal of electricity, or all that wheat, barley and sugar won't grow. See next heading below ...

With this gloomy picture, all industries should contribute towards reducing the downside risks of the power deficit on the economy by equitably cutting back on demand for power but priority should be attached to safeguarding producing of food for the nation.    ZESCO Ltd was also requested to step up the visibility of their sensitization campaigns on demand side management in order to reduce wastage of power which is observed in many public places. The Union will be engaging the authorities for action in these areas.

AREA UNDER WHEAT CULTIVATION MOVES UPWARDS IN 2015

The wheat commodity committee met yesterday, 13^th August 2015 to review the preliminary wheat and barley production estimates for 2015 and the current marketing season.  Through remote sensing technology, the preliminary totals are under wheat and barley in Zambia has been estimated at 47,829 hectares. The meeting was informed by the consultant engaged to estimate Zambia’s winter crops production through satellite imagery that separation of the wheat from the barley fields would only be done over the next few weeks as the crops approach maturation and hence will emit more distinct signals. It was highlighted that whilst some farms had reduced their wheat area planted due to expectations of load shedding and reduced water levels, there were new entrants in wheat production especially in Serenje area. It was further noted by the farmers that millers and traders had slowed down in their local wheat purchases as only about 60% of the crop was commitment whilst about the same time last year, 97 percent of the crop was committed. Information from the traders indicated that millers are only signing up contracts with traders for wheat delivered up to January on assumption that millers will be allowed to import wheat again. The meeting resolved that in the event of a deficit, the period for any imports should be between 1^st April, and 31^st July, 2015 in order to allow for all the local wheat to be committed.

The meeting bemoaned the decision by government to issue an additional 11,000MT of wheat import permits and urged that the 31^st August 2015 deadline for all wheat imports to cease should be strictly adhered to and import duty should be reinstated on imports. Government should further be encouraged to adopt the stance taken by South Africa where when global wheat prices fall to a certain threshold, the import duty is revised further upwards to avoid injury on local producers. Earlier on in the year, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock approved the importation of 75,000MT of wheat duty free. As at end of July, ZRA data revealed that about 59,600MT of wheat had been imported into the country. I sometimes wonder if white "milk" bread is creeping up the charts of Zambia's staple foods.

WATER BLUES HITS MASAITI

Water shortage has hit Masaiti district (up in the Copperbelt where rain is usually decent) with most streams drying up. This development has raised fears mostly among livestock farmers who depend on natural streams for domestic and livestock use. In Michinka area a number of wells have also dried up and people are now walking long distances to fetch for this rare commodity.  Farmers in the area have since appealed to the relevant authority to consider drilling boreholes to mitigate the problem. 

KABOMPO FARMERS WELCOME FRA AS BUYER OF LAST RESORT

Farmers in Kabompo district of North-western province are eager to see the start of the marketing season. This follows the announcement of the maize price by the Food Reserve Agency. Farmers that were spoken to say this exercise has long been awaited as most of them had their maize stacked at satellite depots for over a month now. Speaking when he visited the ZNFU office, Kabompo District Farmers Association chairman Mr. George Munyingu said it was good that the FRA maize price has been announced. Mr. Munyingu has since implored the Government to consider buying the commodity from the rural farmers that have limited options of where to sale their produce.  Mr. Munyingu said buying from the rural farmer will help them with secure markets particularly that the only available millers can only be found about 350 Km away.

Mr. Munyingu said transporting one by 50kg bag on such a distance, costs K15.00 making the cost of production to go high. Mr. Munyingu further hopes that the farmers will be paid on time to enable them plan better for next season.

MUMBWA FARMERS URGED TO WATCH MAIZE MARKET TRENDS

The ZNFU Director, Mr. Richard Lisimba has urged farmers to hold on to their maize crop and only release enough to offset their outstanding loans so that they are paid back on time. This was said during the AGM for Mumbwa DFA that was held on 12^th August, 2015. He informed the meeting that due to poor rains experience in the just ended season, the crop yield was also poor thereby reducing the availability of the commodity on the market. He gave an example of Mongu where the commodity was already trading at K90/50kg bag on the open market.

Meanwhile 47 satellite FRA depots in Western Province have been opened that will be used to purchase maize and rice meant for strategic reserves this marketing season. This came to light when the ZNFU visited the Provincial Marketing Coordinator Mr. Lubasi Nawa at his office in Mongu. Didn't know there was any maize to buy this year ... need to find out where these depots are.... do know they're paying around K80 for a 40kg bag of rice.

July 15th, 2015 - ZNFU Notes, Fuel Prices and FRA

Excerpts from the weekly Agro Watch, Volume 28 2015

My notes in red.

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Fuel:

Diesel and petrol Prices hit K8.59 and K9.87 respectively. The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has adjusted the pump price of petroleum products by K1.13 for petrol; K1.00 for diesel; K0.72 for kerosene and has maintained the price of low sulphur diesel (diesel), effective midnight of 13th July 2015. Consequently, the prices will now be as follows: Diesel pump price increases to K8.59 from K7.59; while Petrol pump price increases to K9.87 from K8.74. The ERB attributes the increase in oil prices to depreciation of the local currency (Kwacha) against major convertible currencies such as the US dollar. This is despite the fact that crude oil prices on the world market have continued to fall currently at US56.76 per barrel.

Maize:

• In Zambia, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has maintained that Government would only purchase 500,000MT of maize for the Strategic Reserve (they said the same thing last year and ended up buying 900,000MT).
• Ministry of Agriculture has urged farmers to take advantage of private sector maize buyers as opposed to waiting for FRA floor price. (It's not a "floor price" ... what that term means is the absolute minimum at which maize can be purchased is the floor price. What the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) does is set a pan-territorial [nationwide for all depots, satellite depots, etc.] price for a 50kg bag of white maize at 12% moisture content. In 2014, the price was raised from K65.00 / bag [the price from 2010] to K70.00 per bag ... this year's price remains to be seen.)
• FRA has reported that current maize stocks for strategic reserve stands at 393,393MT, and that the Agency will only buy maize in 4 provinces namely: Luapula; Muchinga; North Western and Northern Provinces. (I would have to check, but at least three of those voted for the ruling party in the last election). FRA indicated that the above provinces are not adequately covered by the private sector buyers compared to other provinces along the line of rail (Funny ... Eastern and Western Province don't have railroads. Of course, Western also lacks maize outside of Kaoma.)
• Local average maize price have continued to strengthen backed by the strong demand and limited supply of the commodity. The grain average price for the previous week was pegged at K1, 195/Mt. Prices of the commodity delivered to Lusaka are now averaging K1450/MT. The graph below shows average local maize price trends. (Kind of an obvious one ... the demand for maize in Zambia is equivalent to saying "the demand for oxygen"). 

July 10th, 2015 - ZNFU Notes

Lately this has been making the rounds on social media

The guy in charge of load shedding at ZESCO:

I find it somehow fascinating that Homer was chosen, but it's somehow appropriate ... ZESCO's in a bit of an overwhelming situation where they can't fake it and make it.

The immediate issue is due largely to the poor rains the past rainy season vs. power demand. However, others I've spoken blame it on the short-term thinking chronic of parastatals (e.g., government run utilities) ... power generation capability of anything other than household scale (itself the realm of solar) in Zambia is still based entirely on rather dated hydro facilities, and that ZESCO is at fault for not following up on these opportunities in the past ... it means our forests will take an almighty bigger beating for charcoal as the farmers who were shorted by the same rains scramble to make up for lost money by turning on the forests. It may also push some positive change ... more fuel-efficiency, diversity of sources, etc. In the case of Conservation Agriculture, these are great years for getting farmers on board with the technology; it's literally a "join or die" mentality. It's either adopt CA or don't have food ... particularly with another ENSO event looming (see below):

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Excerpts from the ZNFU Weekly Agro Watch (Volume 27)
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El Niño threatens the start of 2015/2016 season in the region

The US Geological Survey has suggested a greater possibility of an El Niño by the start of the 2015/2016 season as sea surface temperatures (SSTs) continue across most of the Pacific Ocean continue to rise. Based on historical trend analysis, El Niño conditions would likely result in below-average rainfall. In previous El Niño years, countries affected include, southern parts of Zimbabwe, southern parts of Malawi, northeastern South Africa, and southern and central Mozambique. Based on recent experiences during the 2014/15 season (when similar positive SST conditions were predicted) several areas in the region ended up experiencing a late start of season and erratic rains during the October to December period, resulting in below-average rainfall. However, it should be noted that in some El Niño years, including the 1997/98 season, the region received above-average rains and above-average harvests.

MAIZE

• Zimbabwe is facing maize deficit of over 900,000 metric tons according to Fewsnet assessment in July 2015.
• Malawi, Congo DRC and Angola are facing maize deficits and will rely on informal Zambian maize grain imports between July and December 2015.

May 25, 2015 - Notes From the ZNFU Weekly Update

Highlights from the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) - Friday Brief #21

ZSIC CARRIES OUT CROP FAILURE ASSESSMENT

A combined team of staff from Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) and the ZNFU Western Region staff have this week been visiting farmers under the Lima Credit Scheme to assess the extent of the crop failure owing to the drought which hit most parts of the country in March this year. The team visited Itezhi Tezhi, Nkeyema and Kaoma districts.  In Kaoma alone, more than 100 farmers with over 200 hectares have been affected.

LIVINGSTONE IN COWPEAS SHORTAGE 

Livingstone district has been experiencing a shortage of Cowpeas supply in the last few months. Cowpeas have become rare commodity in the district. This has been attributed to the rise in the price of the commodity as well as its scarcity due to low production. Cowpeas is highly sought after by traders from Botswana but they are finding it difficult to access it due to the high price and scarcity. Some traders from Botswana visited both the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and ZNFU to inquire on where they could find the commodity at a reasonable buying price. The traders were willing to buy the commodity at K3/kg but the commodity is commonly available at K5/kg, and in some areas farmers are offering the commodity at K7/kg to k11/kg. 

DC URGES FARMERS TO MECHANIZE

The acting District Commissioner (DC) for Lundazi Mr. Manda has advised farmers in the district to adopt mechanization in their farming business in order to increase on production and consequently yields. This came to light during a CFU/MUSIKA organized mechanization roadshow held in the district at Msuzi Basic School. The smallholder farm mechanization roadshows accords an opportunity for farmers to learn about different farming equipment that can be used by the farmers. It’s also a platform that explains how farmers can acquire the equipment under different farmer asset financing schemes like the Bunjimi Asset Plus being implemented by the ZNFU.

The roadshow attracted over 700 farmers for various parts of the district with exhibitions from ZNFU, KEEGY, SARO, AFGRI, NWK, MRI, PANNAR, PIONEER, ZAMSEED, AND Klein Karoo.

FARMERS ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR ANNOUNCEMENT OF MAIZE FLOOR PRICE

Farmers in Mbala district are anxiously waiting for the government to announce the Maize floor price for the 2015 marketing season. The farmers are eager to know the floor price which they say will allow them budget properly for the next farming season as well as household expenses. 

ZNFU Bulletin, Week 24 - 2014

The Zambia National Farmers' Union (ZNFU) is the former Commercial Farmers Union (CFU, which now means Conservation Farming Unit, yay acronyms). I won't right now discuss the somewhat complex partnership we have with their district offices (our implementing partners in Mongu and Kaoma) or my thoughts on how they work, but they do publish a weekly bulletin that crunches everything into good and quick chunks; one such bulletin is shown below. As usual, I claim no responsibility for the content.

Have a great Monday.
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FRIDAY BRIEF

WEEK 24, 2014

THIS Week’s Highlights

·         FARMERS URGED TO KNOW THEIR WATER USER RIGHTS

·         PIG GENETICS FARM SOON TO OPEN IN ZAMBIA

·         GSI/AFGRI CONDUCT GRAIN SILOS DEMONSTRATION

·         2015 NATIONAL BUDGET SUBMISSIONS TO MINISTRY OF FINANCE

…... SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW……

INDUSTRY UPDATES/ALERTS

FARMERS URGED TO KNOW THEIR WATER USER RIGHTS

The Director for Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has reiterated the need for sound legislation and water management structures among all major water users as provided for in the new Water Resources Management Act No. 21 of 2011.  Mr. Kakotwe informed the National Catchment Delineation workshop in Chisamba that his Authority was putting up water management structures at all levels to help calm the growing inter-sectoral water use conflicts among major users, i.e. farmers, mines, manufacturing industry, environment and domestic consumers. WARMA is calling on all water users to organize and recognize themselves into Water Users Associations as provided for by the law in order to claim their water user rights and obligations. The new WARMA Act provides for, among other things, an integrated, interactive, participatory, gender-sensitive; multi-sectoral and stakeholder approach to water resources management aimed at enhancing equitable water use allocation.

PIG GENETICS FARM SOON TO OPEN IN ZAMBIA

A Pig Genetics farm will soon start its operations in Zambia. This came to light when a team of Zambian Industry experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock as well as the Zambia National Farmers’ Union visited a pig genetics farm in South Africa to familiarize themselves with the operations of such an investment. The farm which will be fully automated is expected to cater for the supply of breeding stock to other countries such as; Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. Ground work has already commenced and the farm is expected to be operational in September, 2014. The farm will initially start with a 500 sow unit and is expected to offload more than 200 weaners per week to grower farms.   ZNFU is happy with this development as new Pig Genetic farm will help resolve current problems faced by many pig farmers when sourcing for improved genetics for their breeding stock.

GSI/AFGRI CONDUCT GRAIN SILOS DEMONSTRATION

GSI Zambia Ltd in partnership with AFGRI recently unveiled their new grain storage technology to Mkushi farmers at the AFGRI Bunker. The company showcased different storage facilities which included steel farm bins, commercial storage grain bins, grain silos and a low cost bulk grain storage solution for smallholder and emergent farmers. Speaking to farmers during the function, Mkushi District Commissioner Mr. Luka Mwamba expressed delight at the fact that some of the storage facilities are now tailor made for small scale and emergent farmers a move that will enhance storage and reduce post-harvest loses.

2015 NATIONAL BUDGET SUBMISSIONS TO MINISTRY OF FINANCE

The Ministry of Finance has started receiving tax and non-tax proposals for the 2015 National Budget and the 2015 to 2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework [MTEF]. In this regard the Union is requesting members to submit tax and non-tax proposals across the agricultural value chains to ZNFU Head Office by 15^th July 2014. This will enable the Union have ample time to compile all submissions prior to submitting to the Ministry of Finance on behalf of members.

The format of the proposals to be submitted to Ministry of Finance is as follows:

1. Clearly outline the expected impact in terms of;

·         Proposed measure,

·         Justification; and

·         Expected revenue impact (i.e. gain or loss).

2. All proposals on improvement of tax administration must clearly outline anomalies/challenges in current statutes which are proposed to be corrected and justify expected improved outcomes, especially in revenue collection.

Kindly send all your submissions to: judy.hamonzwe@znfu.org.zm

NEWS FROM THE REGIONS

CENTRAL REGION

MKUSHI DFA TO HOLD ITS 2014 AGM

Mkushi DFA has set 27^th June 2014 as the date for this year’s Annual General Meeting. This year’s date is intentionally set to coincide with the District agricultural show starting the same day so that farmers can interact with exhibitors before the meeting. To facilitate this, the AGM will be held at the Council chamber instead of the usual country club at 14 hour.

I-CONNECT TO EXTEND COVERAGE TO MKUSHI

I-connect one of the internet service providers established in 2005 and who are now a part of the Vodacom group has expressed interest to extend its internet coverage to Mkushi district. During their discussions with the ZNFU Officials, the I-connect officials indicated that they were looking forward to partnering with the Union in their drive to modernize internet connectivity and offer competitive services to the farming community. Meanwhile, the ZNFU has welcomed the development as it will enhance communication efficiency.

EASTERN B REGION

LEAVE FISP FOR THE VULNERABLE, CHIEF NYAMPANDE ADVISES FARMERS

 Chief Nyampande of Petauke District has warned farmers to stop depending on FISP because the program was meant to help only the vulnerable people. Speaking during the Mechanization Road Show field day organized by CFU on 10^th June 2014, the Chief advised the farmers to join ZNFU if they were to reap the benefit of Agriculture because ZNFU was there for farmers and their service delivery was more efficient. He cited the Lima Credit Scheme as one of the major benefits among other services that farmers can access from the Union. He said that he had confidence in the Union because he has seen how farming has improved in his Chiefdom due to interventions which ZNFU has brought in his area. He however, advised the DACO to quickly address challenges surrounding the allocation and distribution of inputs under FISP in the District. He further appealed to Government through the District Commissioner’s office to quickly announce the maize floor price as farmers were running out of patience.

FARMERS ADVISE TO EMBRACE CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY

Petauke District Commissioner has advised farmers in the Province and particularly Petauke District to embrace the modern Conservation Agriculture Technology which CFU and other stakeholders like ZNFU are promoting .Speaking at the Mechanization road show field day, she advised farmers to have a positive mind that can quickly adapt to change and take advantage of technologies that are being offloaded on the market. And also speaking during the same event, Petauke DFA chairperson, Mr. Joseph Lungu said “the Union does not only speak for farmers but also provide solutions to increase production and productivity.”

PETAUKE BEE KEEPERS HAPPY WITH HONEY PRICE

Farmer’s in Petauke have expressed satisfaction with the market linkage that the Zambia Honey Council has established in the district for bee keepers. The private buyer Agri-world is currently offering K6.50 per kg to the farmers and has been consistent in both payments and collections.

NORTHERN REGION               

 

CHILUBI RICE FARMERS STUCK WITH THE COMMODITY

Rice farmers in Chilubi have no market where to offload the commodity they have grown in area and have appealed to the government to quickly intervene. Kampombo Cooperative secretary Mr. Pride Kaunda observed that rice farmers are frustrated in Chilubi because the current marketing policy did not favour them as they are left to organize market linkages on their own. Despite Rice farmers in the area responding to government calls of diversification, they had been facing challenges in selling rice because government has not been buying the commodity from them as they are doing for maize farmers. Meanwhile, Chilubi mainland this year has produced estimated 7,000 x 50kg bags of rice. 

ALL IS SET FOR THE MBALA DISTRICT SHOW

Mbala district held its District Agricultural show today and the ZNFU participated through Mbala District Farmers’ Association and Nondo Information Centre which was represented Nondo Block. The theme for this year’s show was ‘Breaking the new grounds’.

SOUTHERN B REGION

MAZABUKA FARM WORKERS TO BENEFIT FROM LCS

Farm workers at Rafeen Farm among other farms in Mazabuka district have expressed interest to join the Union and participate on the Lima Credit Scheme program. Speaking at a meeting today, Mr. Ivor Evans encouraged his workers to join ZNFU in order for them to double their production by participating on the Lima credit scheme.

In a similar development, another meeting at Northern Zambezi Traders (PAMA MEAT) was organized with the same view of helping the farm workers to access inputs through the ZNFU’s Lima Credit Scheme and that they will not have to look for an off taker, as the company is ready to buy off the commodity from its workers.

WORLD VISION ZAMBIA TO COLLABORATE WITH ZNFU

World Vision is implementing a number of agricultural activities in Namwala and has since approached Namwala DFA so that all the trainings they intend to conduct with the farmers are channeled through the Information Centres. The trainings will be conducted for all the contact farmers in the following ; conservation farming,  post-harvest technologies and sensitize farmers on the importance of crop diversification in commodities such as cow peas, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes.

The organization has also challenged ZNFU and NAIS to come up with radio forums programs at the Macha’s vision broadcasting community radio. The programs will aim at educating and informing the community on what ZNFU and World vision are doing in the area. 

NORTH WESTERN REGION

ALL IS SET FOR THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCIAL SHOW

The North Western Provincial Agricultural, Mining and Commercial Show will to be held in the showground from 20^th - 22^nd June under the theme “BREAKING NEW GROUNDS.”  In relation with the theme, the technology of the ZNFU e-extension is definitely breaking new grounds some farmers have since started accessing extension services using this system. The show will therefore be a platform at which the system will be exhibited and shared with more farmers as they visit the ZNFU stand.

WESTERN REGION

MUMBWA FARMERS AWAIT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MAIZE FLOOR PRICE

Farmers in Mumbwa are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the maize floor price. This came to light during an Information Centre meeting in Keezwa IC's Shibunji District held on Tuesday this week. Speaking on behalf of the farmers, information centre Chairperson Adam Kipupu said the delay in the announcement of the Maize floor price will give an upper hand to the private buyers whose dealings with the farmer are not fair. Mr. Kipupu further said all farmers in the area are expecting that the floor Price to be announced will be higher than K65.00 per 50 kg bag considering the rise in the cost of inputs.

SUPERIOR MILLING STARTS OPERATIONS IN MUMBWA

The long awaited Superior Milling branch officially opened its doors for business on Tuesday the 10th of June, 2014.  Gracing the opening Ceremony was Mumbwa District Commissioner Mr. Sunday Shamabanse. Mr. Shamabanse said that the venture that Superior milling has launched is in line with governments endeavour in terms of Job creation. He also thanked the company for looking towards Mumbwa district in their quest to increase and the companies’ outlets. He further said ‘Superior Milling will add to the already existing agro off takers of maize in the district.’ The opening Ceremony took place at the ZNFU's Agriculture Service Centre where Superior Milling will be operating from.

JTI TO PROMOTE A NEW TOBACCO CURING METHOD

JTI is now promoting a more environmental friendly and cost effective way of curing the tobacco to farmers in Kaoma. JTI is trying to come up with ways of preventing environmental degradation which has seen a lot of wood lots cut down for fire wood which is used for curing purposes. The new technology called Matope Balm will also help in reducing the colours of the crop to two; reduce on the quantity of firewood used and days for complete curing. This will help improve on quality and reduce the cost of curing while addressing environmental sustainability through the promotion of Afforestation by planting selected tree species that can help in firewood and poles for construction. Furthermore, farmers are motivated by receiving a payment of 8 cents per surviving tree annually.