FRIDAY BRIEF

WEEK 28, 2016

This Week’s Highlights……….

 MILLERS REQUEST TO EXPORT BRAN  DAIRY FARMERS IN CHOMA BEMOAN HIGH CHARGES FOR HEALTH CERTIFICATES

..... SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW…

INDUSTRY UPDATES MILLERS REQUEST TO EXPORT BRAN The Millers Association of (MAZ) has requested for a bran export allowance of 15,000 metric tons in order to free up storage space for the new maize crop. The request was made during a stakeholders meeting that took place on 7th July 2016 at the Ministry of Agriculture in Lusaka, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Julius Shawa.

During the discussions, ZNFU noted that the dry season had just begun and livestock producers would find it difficult to access bran due to high demand. To this effect, ZNFU proposed that millers be allowed to only export 10,000 metric tons of bran for the last time in 2016 in order to avoid triggering food insecurity in the livestock sector. The meeting subsequently agreed to allow the export of 10,000MT of bran.

DAIRY FARMERS IN CHOMA BEMOAN HIGH CHARGES FOR HEALTH CERTIFICATES The Dairy Association of Zambia is encouraging all milk producers and processors to ensure that they and their employees go for medical examinations and obtain certificates of fitness. This is a mandatory requirement as enshrined in the Food and Drugs Act and the Public Health Act of the Laws of Zambia. It is also a food safety measure that prevents contamination of milk and protects against spreading of contagious diseases. If one engages an employee despite knowing that he/she has contagious infection(s) it could result in legal repercussions.

The Association is however concerned with reports of exorbitant charges demanded by some health inspectors in some districts like Choma. It has come to the attention of DAZ that farmers are charged K180 for a health certificate for each worker examined. The health certificate is only valid for six months after which the examination has to be repeated. This pushes the cost of production for raw milk up and erodes further the profit margins for the farmers.

DAZ would be engaging the relevant regulators on this matter and is therefore requesting for producers paying similar exorbitant charges to inform the DAZ secretariat.

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ALERTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS The Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ) National Annual General Meeting on 26th July 2016 at the Mulungushi National Conference Centre from 8:00Hrs to 13:00hrs

TUTA ABSOLUTA!!!!! Attention Farmers!!! Be informed that there is a pest attacking tomatoes, called Tuta absoluta or leaf miner. Tuta absoluta is a serious pest of tomatoes causing losses of up to 100% by mining the leaves and burrowing into the fruits. Since the first detection in Zambia, the pest has spread fast causing very high levels of damage to tomato crops. Tomato growers are therefore advised and encouraged to visit their nearest Agro-chemical supplier or Ministry of Agriculture office for professional advice on how to contain, control and prevent it.

MEMBERSHIP ALERT! The ZNFU/ZFEA was visited by inspectors from the Ministry of Labour during the 1st week of June, 2016 in order to conduct an inventory of members who are covered by the ZFEA collective agreement with workers’ unions. They believe that there are farmers using the collective agreement without being members of ZFEA, in which case they should be abiding by the Minimum Wages & Conditions Act and SI No. 46 (minimum basic wage K700 plus 30% housing allowance, etc). Farmers who wish to use ZFEA’s collective agreement must be paid-up members of both ZNFU and ZFEA. Being a member of ZNFU only does not automatically entitle you to use the collective agreement. Members of TAZ are covered by a ZFEA block membership agreement.

Payment of ZNFU and ZFEA subscriptions for 2016 can be made at ZNFU Head Office or any ZNFU district office, or bank deposit / transfer. The ZNFU membership rate vary according to your membership category (Contact any ZNFU Office for details), while The ZFEA rates per annum are:  Up to 50 workers: K500.00  Over 50, less than 100: K750.00  100 or more: K1,000.00

If paying at ZNFU district offices, you should inform Billy Mudenda ( [email protected] ) quoting company name, receipt number and amount paid. If paying by bank deposit or transfer, please email [email protected] with deposit slip or transcript.

Bank details are: Name: Zambia Farm Employers Association Bank: ZANACO

Branch: Government Business Centre Branch code: 050 Ac number: 0005756300197

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISCOUNT OFFER ON EMPTY GRAIN BAGS UV TREATED The Zambia National Farmers’ Union has negotiated for a discount on bulk buying of empty grain bags from Wonderful Group for members. ZNFU members can now buy a bale of 500 by 50kg bags (brown) at K1,000 or K1,600 for white bags. All interested members can contact with ZNFU Head 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]

UPCOMING AGRICULTURAL HOLIDAYS Farmers Day – First Monday in August Independence Day 24th October Christmas Day – 25th December

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

 Farm for lease: 40 hectares situated about 6KM from Kitwe-Chingola Road about 20km from Kitwe. On the farm are: a 4-bedroomed house MSC (solar powered), A stream running on the boundary, borehole with a solar pump. The farm is mostly virgin land. Contact Terrence Mukula on 0968195186 or [email protected]

 7 Hectares virgin land for sale in Mwembeshi, about 44km along the Lusaka-Mongu Road and 500m off the road. The land is opposite Sable Farm. ZESCO line about 500m from the fam. Asking Price K250,000. For enquiries, contact Maj Kayewa on 0977365911

 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 offers. 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 [email protected]

MAIZE BRAN UP FOR SALE

KASAMA MILLING HAS IN STOCK 10,000 X 25KG BAGS OF MAIZE BRAN SELLING AT K20 PER BAG. THE STOCK IS IN KASAMA. FOR DETAILS; CONTACT MR. KAKUSU SIKAZWE 0977 287057 or 0955 217057 OR EMAIL; [email protected]

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NEWS FROM THE REGIONS

EASTERN B REGION

GOVERNMENT REFUTES ALLEGATIONS OF INSTRUCTING PRIVATE MAIZE TRADERS TO REDUCE MAIZE PRICE The District Commissioner for Katete, Joseph Duma Makukula, has described as false and malicious the rumors going round the farming community in the district purporting that the Government has instructed private maize traders to reduce the maize marketing price to be at par with the FRA price, so as to allow the Agency purchase some maize. Speaking during a live phone in program on radio Mphangwe on 6th July 2016, the DC refuted the allegations and said that it was the duty of Government to ensure that farmers were not exploited by private buyers, who should offer attractive and competitive prices in order for farmers to see value in their farming business. He further advised private buyers in the district not to tarnish the name of Government but tell the farmers the truth if they do not have capacity to buy their commodities. And a check by ZNFU staffer at NWK and Cargill buying depots found that the price of Maize has not been reduced.

SINDA DACO INSTRUCTS CAMP EXTENSION OFFICERS TO WORK WITH ZNFU The District Agriculture Coordinator for Sinda district, Henry Mukulumoya has called on his Camp Extension Officers in the district to embrace ZNFU activities and work with ZNFU Information Centers (ICs) that are in their camps. He said this during a meeting held at his office with the ZNFU Eastern B Regional Manager on 4th July 2016 whose aim was to scrutinize and verify farmer groups and ICs that will be participating in the 2015/16 season FISP program.

The DACO said that it was gratifying to see how ZNFU is complimenting Government efforts through various interventions in the district such the Lima Credit Scheme. He however appealed to ZNFU to quickly look into the issue of creating a District Farmers Association in Sinda, a development he said would quicken the process of addressing concerns from ZNFU members.

SOUTHERN A REGION

SOUTHERN PROVINCE AGRICULTURAL SHOW ON The 2016 Southern Province Agricultural and Commercial Show (SPACS) opened doors to the public today 8th July, 2016 and will end on 10th July, 2016. The show will be held under the theme "Managing the Environment for Growth". During this year’s show, the SPACS committee has for the first time initiated the concept of interactive workshops, similar to the ones conducted at the annual Agritech Expo in Chisamba. So far more than 23 stakeholders including banks, seed companies, agrochemical companies, and the three key partners the Ministry of Agriculture, Musika and the ZNFU have confirmed participation in the discussion forums. Most farmers who have confirmed attendance through the ZNFU regional office are happy with the new concept, describing it as a move in the right direction for them to have most unanswered issues clarified right away.

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE SCALE-UP PROJECT MAPS FARMERS’ FIELDS The Conservation Agriculture Scale-Up (CASU) project under the Ministry of Agriculture has commenced a mapping exercise for Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for farmers’ fields in . The mapping of GPS coordinates is aimed at strengthening the monitoring of activities and improves service delivery to all participating farmers. A total number of 1,145 farmers participating on CASU project have been targeted. The exercise, which commenced last week is expected to be completed after one month.

NORTH WESTERN REGION

MILLERS IN SOLWEZI BUYING MAIZE AT K75 PER 50KG BAG Millers in of North Western province have started buying Maize grain at K75 per 50kg bag. A check by ZNFU staff found some farmers already delivering their maize to Butemwe, Rhino and APG milling companies in Solwezi. However, some farmers interviewed have said that they will wait to sell to the Food Reserve Agency at the government stipulated price of K85 per 50kg.

KABOMPO RECEIVES FISP FERTILIZERS has started receiving fertilizer inputs for the 2016/2017 farming season under the Farmer Input Support Programme. Kabompo District Agriculture Coordinator Peter Chibizwa confirmed this to the ZNFU office on Thursday the 7th of this week. He said the district t has so far received over 7,000 by 50Kg bags of Compound D fertilizer.

WESTERN REGION

SOYA BEANS PRICE DROPS A snap survey taken by the ZNFU office in Mumbwa has found that the price of Soya beans has fallen sharply from K5 per kg in the month of June to K4 per kg by 7th July, 2016. On the other hand, an increase in the demand for the maize grain has triggered an upward movement in the price of maize grain from K1.80 per kg to K2.20 per kg.

AMATHEON AGRI ZAMBIA FINALLY OPENS UP DEPOTS IN NKEYEMA AND KAOMA Amatheon Agri Zambia Ltd has opened up five grain buying depots in Kaoma and Nkeyema districts. Amatheon is expected to provide the much-needed competition with the existing grain buyers in the district, a move which is expected to benefit farmers as they will now get competitive prices for their crop produce.