FRIDAY BRIEF WEEK 19, 2015

THIS Week’s Highlights  ZNFU HOLDS MEETING OF COUNCIL  FARM WORKERS AWARDED DURING LABOUR DAY CELEBRATIONS  APPSA TO SUPPORT FARMERS  FARMERS ADVISED TO GROW SOLID STEMMED BAMBOOS

…... SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW……

INDUSTRY UPDATES/ALERTS ZNFU HOLDS MEETING OF COUNCIL The National Farmers ‘Union (ZNFU) held its Meeting of Council on Thursday, 7th May, 2015 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC). The meeting which brought in representatives from all the Union’s membership categories was chaired by the ZNFU president Dr. Evelyn Nguleka. The ZNFU Meeting of Council is held annually to deliberate on issues that affect the Union and the entire agricultural sector. During the deliberations, the chairperson informed the meeting that the government has since recognised the Union as a major stakeholder in the country’s Agricultural development. This follows the Union’s engagement of key government Ministries in a series of high profile dialogue meetings which have taken after the appointment of a new cabinet by the Republican President Mr. Edgar C. Lungu. She said that this recognition has even prompted government to further enhance collaboration with the Union to pilot the usage of the Visa card in the forthcoming Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) disbursement season, target to service at least 240,000 beneficiaries. The ZNFU meeting of Council attracted more than 120 councillors drawn from all the affiliated members countrywide.

FARM WORKERS AWARDED DURING LABOUR DAY CELEBRATIONS A number of farm workers in Mkushi have deservedly been awarded with different gifts for their dedication to duty at the just-ended Labour Day celebrations in the District. The farm workers' servicing on the farms has been commended in line with this year's labour day under the theme,“ Promoting National Economic Growth Through Job Creation, Free Collective Bargaining and Respect For Workers’ Rights”.. Officiating at the celebrations, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing Hon. Nicholas Banda (MP) indicated that government will continue promote National Economic Growth through creation of favourable policies that will propel the agricultural sector to create more jobs for the people. Speaking on behalf of Zambia Federation of Employers, Mr. Xander Firck, indicated that the federation is mindful that both employees and employers have rights that must be respected and protected, therefore, a spirit of sustained, effective and consistent dialogue among all stakeholders is indispensable to resolving any issues that might arise as well as to maintaining industrial peace and harmony.

APPSA TO SUPPORT FARMERS Some selected groups of farmers in Chikankata and Mazabuka Districts will be benefiting from the World Bank funded program, Agriculture Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA). The aim of the program is to improve productivity among small scale farmers in specific crops such as soya bean and groundnuts whose inputs are being provided. This program is encouraging farmers to enhance their production through crop diversification with the view to reduce dependence on maize crop which has market challenges and high cost of production. Addressing a group of farmers during an APPSA field day at Simutwe Agricultural camp of , National Coordinator Mr. Milambo Laston called on the farmers to join and benefit from the program.

FARMERS ADVISED TO GROW SOLID STEMMED BAMBOOS Farmers have being advised to grow solid stemmed bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) as climate change mitigation strategy. The bamboo which is a drought resistant shrub tree is able to grow nicely in our climatic conditions and can help reduce stress on our natural forestry due to its numerous benefits. Speaking to the ZNFU, Arulussa Limited Director Mr. Kimani of district stated that the solid stemmed Bamboo has numerous benefits to the farming community of which some include; source of bamboo charcoal briquettes for household cooking, fish-traps, horticultural or garden stakes, leaves as fodder, plants for hedges, windbreaks, as ornamental plants, soil erosion control and rehabilitation of degraded sites, biomass production, quality raw material for building, flower/horticultural stands among other uses. Mr. Kimani further emphasized that the bamboo is one reliable solution to prevention of deforestation as it is a continuous source of charcoal briquettes for household cooking.

NEWS FROM ASSOCIATIONS

BENEFITS OF EATING YOGURT A high intake of yogurt has been found to be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes; this is, according to research published in open access journal BMC Medicine. This highlights the importance of having yogurt as part of a healthy diet. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells develop resistance to insulin. There is an increased risk of developing it if a relative has the condition or if an individual has an unhealthy lifestyle. Approximately 366 million people are affected by type 2 diabetes worldwide and it is estimated this will increase to 552 million people by 2030, which puts pressure on global healthcare systems. Previous research has suggested calcium, magnesium, or specific fatty acids present in dairy products may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. It has been shown that probiotic bacteria found in yogurt improves fat profiles and antioxidant status in people with type 2 diabetes and the researchers suggest this could have a risk-lowering effect in developing the condition. Senior researcher on the study Frank Hu, Harvard School of Public Health, says: "We found that higher intake of yogurt is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas other dairy foods and consumption of total dairy did not show this association. The consistent findings for yogurt suggest that it can be incorporated into a healthy dietary pattern." Let’s take that cup of yogurt it may keep the doctor away.

NEWS FROM THE REGIONS

CENTRAL REGION

INDO ZAMBIA BANK CONSTRUCTS A BANKING HALL IN Indo Zambia bank has commenced the construction of a banking hall in Serenje district. The project when completed will provide Serenje residents especially farmers with the most needed extra banking services and will reduces the challenges of accessing money during marketing season. Farmers in the district are upbeat about this development and are hopeful that the trend of spending nights on the corridors of the bank while waiting for payments will soon be a thing of the past.

FARMERS URGE GOVERNMENT TO ANNOUNCE MAIZE FLOOR PRICE Farmers in are appealing to government to announce the maize floor price early this year. This came to light during deliberations at a number of Information Centre Annual General Meetings which are currently underway in the district. Farmers bemoaned that brief case buyers are already on the ground and offering exploitative maize prices ranging between K30 per 50kg bag. With the droughts that hit the district most farmers are hoping that government will announce the floor price above last year’s price. The farmers have since called for ZNFU to quickly push for a better price for their produce. Meanwhile, Senior Chief Chipepo of the Lenje speaking People in has cautioned farmers against selling their produce to brief case buyers. He has advised farmers to be patient and wait for maize flow prices and not to sale their hard earned produce at exploitative prices.

EASTERN B REGION

ASI TRAINS STAKEHOLDERS IN POST HARVEST HANDLING The Agribusiness Systems International (ASI) in this week conducted a Post-Harvest Handling (PHH) training to the stakeholders that are working with farmers in the District, and ZNFU is among the organizations that took part in the training. The aim of the training was to impart the stakeholders with knowledge and skills in management and handling of crop losses that occur during harvesting through to marketing. The training focused much on how to handle three major crops grown by small scale farmers namely; Soya beans, Ground nuts and Maize because it has been discovered that farmers lose a lot of crop through handling hence affecting productivity per unity area. During the same training ASI also shared the scope of the project they are implementing in the district called the Women Improved Market and Asset Control (WIMAC). In this project the organization is aiming at empowering women with training in market access and career opportunities in farming, as it is also a business and that Women should play a leading role when it comes to farming business as they are involved in every stage of production.

EVERY HOME FOR CHRIST TO COLLABORATE WITH ZNFU Every Home for Christ a Christian based organization has pledged to enhance its collaboration with ZNFU in in fostering development to the farming communities. Speaking when he graced the field day which was organized by CFU and Pioneer, Mr. Richard Kakuwa the Director for the Organization called on farmers to join ZNFU and make use of the services which the Union is offering to its members in the District. He observed that most of the farmers were used to receiving free things and hand-outs hence the need to change the mind set to the level where farmers should start having the sense of ownership. He encouraged the farmers to form ICs and also embrace conservation agriculture due to climate change which has negatively impacted on the farmers this season.

MUCHINGA REGION

ISOKA DC LAUDS ZNFU SERVICES The District Administrative Officer (DAO) for Isoka Mr. Gershom Jere who represented the District Commissioner for Isoka during the road show organized by ZNFU Muchinga region office and SARO Agro Industrial Company limited, Mkushi branch expressed happiness with the services ZNFU is providing to the farmers. This came to light during the road show that was held on Monday 4th May, 2015 at President Park where the event took place. During the same event, the District Veterinary Officer for Isoka Dr. Kalolo Nasilele who represented the DACO, also appealed to the farmers in the District to join ZNFU and take part in the services the Union was rendering to the farming community. The event attracted farmers and stakeholders within Isoka and .

NORTHERN REGION

SARO ROAD SHOW DEMONSTRATION A SUCCESS Farmers in both Kasama and Mbala Districts have expressed happiness and feel encouraged in the manner ZNFU organized Road show Demo for SARO Agro industrial limited. The Road show demonstration was made possible by ZNFU Northern Region who lobbied SARO to conduct equipment demonstration as a way of sensitizing farmers on the importance of mechanization and Bunjimi Asset Plus. Agriculture Cooperative Officer Mr. Able Chikafa advised farmers who are not yet ZNFU members to join so that they take advantage of ZNFU services such as Bunjimi Asset Plus to increase productivity. Equipment demonstration attracted more than 150 farmers in Mbala and more than 300 farmers in Kasama.

NORTH WESTERN B REGION

CHAVUMA PREPARES FOR DISTRICT SHOW show committee has announced the date for the annual event and most farmers and farmer organisations have started preparations in readiness to showcasing their produce to the show goers. The event has been slated for 22nd and 23rd May, 2015. Like most institutions, Chavuma DFA is equally getting ready to participate in this year's event.

CHAVUMA DISTRICT IN RADIO COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION Works on Chavuma Community Radio Station have commenced considerably. The construction which was started last year has seen the housing completed and the community is only sourcing for funds for the transmission equipment. One of steering committee members, Mr. Pimpa Habeenzu confirmed that they are trying to secure some funding from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to get some of the transmission equipment. This is a welcome development because it will easy dissemination of information to far flung areas that are mostly cut off during the rainy season.

KABOMPO DISTRICT STARTS RECEIVING FISP INPUTS has stated receiving some Inputs for the next coming season. A check by the combined team of ZNFU and the District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Mr. Peter Chibizwa affirmed that 9,000 by 50 Kg bags have been delivered to the storage shed. And Mr. Chibizwa said farmers need to brace themselves for an early distribution of inputs in the 2015/2016 farming season. Mr. Chibizwa said if utilised well, FISP inputs can alleviate poverty, improve food security and improve incomes most households. Mr. Chibizwa further said the only 6600 by 50Kg bags of Compound D fertiliser are remaining to be received from a total of 15,560. Mr. Chibizwa has since urged the farmers to quickly expedite the farmer registration process so as to be ready for the coming season.

WESTERN REGION

ZICTA TO ERECT MORE TOWERS The Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA) on Wednesday 6th May, 2015 held a one day workshop for Nkeyema and Kaoma districts to access on the possibility of putting up extra communication towers in Kalumwange and Lombelombe areas. Nkeyema and Kaoma are the two most productive districts in the Western Province where agriculture is concerned, hence the calls from the two farm blocs (Kalumwange and Lombelombe) to improve on the mobile communication facilities.

Alerts!

Water Resource Management Authority (WARMA) will be inviting the general public to public hearings and stakeholder’s consultative meetings on the transfer of water rights to water permits and consolidation of new applicants in Namwala next month June. Actual date, Venue and time will be communicated once confirmed.