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The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has intensified the engagement of producers and other stakeholders on having their products meet required standards and are certified.
ZABS Executive Director, Manuel Mutale said ZABS wants to ensure that all the commodities that are on the markets and in chain stores are certified and meet the required standards.
Mr. Mutale said having high quality products will help the country move forward economically.
He said this during a courtesy call on Mwinilunga District Administrative Officer Kelvin Ndandanda.
“I am here with my team to carry out our role of developing standards and providing conformity assessments to industries and help them implement standards that enhance the quality of products and services for economic growth,” he said.
Mr. Mutale said Mwinilunga district has a good number of industrial projects that will need to work with ZABS for quality assurance of their goods and services.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ndandanda said ZABS’ visit to Mwinilunga district will give an opportunity to the general public to know and embrace the importance of standard and quality assurance of products and services.
He said the honey, milling and fruit juices are the sectors that require ZABS’ help in terms of packaging and quality assurance.
ZABS is in Mwinilunga to check on production and packaging businesses and ascertain their compliance to national standards.
The District Commissioner’s office in Mambwe has urged the Covid-19 multisectoral team in the area to get tough on bar owners who are disregarding presidential directives aimed at curbing the spread of the pandemic.
Mambwe District Administrative Officer (DAO), Geoffrey Mumba, is concerned that bar owners have continued to disregard with impunity the presidential directives regarding the regulated time they are supposed to operate.
Mr. Mumba has observed that many bar owners, especially in Mfuwe area, are operating their businesses at any time disregarding the Covid-19 health guidelines.
He charged that action must now be taken on people who do not want to comply with the authorities.
“We have done a lot of talking but it seems people do not want to listen. It is now time to make an example out of some of these bars by suspending their licenses and closing to serve as a warning to other would be offenders,” Mr. Mumba said.
ZANIS reports that the DAO was speaking during a virtual Covid-19 district epidemic preparedness committee meeting.
He warned that Covid-19 is a very dangerous disease noting that if the district did not tackle it with the seriousness that it deserves, the population of Mambwe would be wiped out.
Mr. Mumba further lamented that making non-compliant bar owners to pay a penalty fee is not working as they can afford to do so and then continue operating their taverns at the wrong time.
And the DAO has called on the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to work together to ensure that there is more surveillance in schools so that pupils are protected from contracting the Covid-19 disease.
Mr. Mumba said there is need to have safety officers in schools that will be coordinating with the health authorities with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Mambwe District Health Director George Mshanga said from January 2021 to date, the area has recorded 175 cases of Covid-19, out of which 156 have recovered while one person died from Covid-19 related complications.
Dr. Mshanga said the health authorities are working hard to ensure that Covid-19 cases do not escalate in Mambwe district.
“We have continued carrying out contact tracing as well as sensitising people on the Covid-19 epidemic so that we can keep the cases recorded so far at bay,” he explained.
To day marks a momentous day in the journey and history of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy. After a six year long battle for democracy, decency and the rule of law both in the courts and on the streets, we are now ready to renew our organization and cast a new vision for both our party and Nation. In just an hour from now, I shall be filing in my nomination papers for the Presidency of our great party at the forth coming 7th Extra Ordinary Convention.
The picture I see in my mind is that of a battered battalion returning to base in tattered uniforms with bleeding bodies and stretchers of many dead in battle. But they return home with a victory shout because they won the war. Tired and bruised but Victors. This is the short story of the MMD. Ever since we took over the leadership of a defeated and dispirited party in 2012. Those who believed the party belonged to them fought us from the first day I was declared President. But they under estimated our resolve and determination to save the party from predators. Our moral fight for democracy and decency in politics was tried and tested in all the courts of our land. The High Court, the court of Appeals, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional court. We won a combined total of 25 judgements out of 27. The two we did not win were procedural judgements and not on the substantive matter. The courts have agreed with us that our position was solid and morally right.
This fight has however left scars on all the soldiers that fought in the political trenches. The intention of our opponents was to tarnish the image of the MMD and in the process tarnish our image as individuals.
My team and I do fully understand the depth of damage our opponents have inflicted on the image of the party. It is for this reason that at the coming Convention we shall make drastic changes to the party which shall renew and reposition our party for the future. We shall depart from the MMD of yesterday which faltered at the 2011 polls and start afresh on the path of a NEW HOPE.
This is our season to rewrite history and call this team by the right definition. Heroes. Courageous and warriors for democracy. Our opponents would want to call us weak and use losses we have incurred in the few by elections we have participated in as our levels of popularity. To the contrary, we have been paying for the sins they committed in the name of MMD long before we took over the party. Our fight has been to restore the confidence of Zambians in this mother of democracy, the MMD.
Nevers Mumba Filling in Nomination Papers for MMD Convention
THE ELECTORAL PROCESS
We are of the considered view that all this political activity of holding conventions and press briefings are a wasted effort if the electoral process is fraudulent. We call on all stakeholders on both sides of the divide to take a look at the legitimacy of the electoral process before we rush into elections.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia is constitutionally mandated to organize and conduct free and fair elections in the country.
However, the road to the 12th August 2021 general elections is becoming more and more impassable due to what we consider to be lack of consultation and consensus on the part of the electoral commission of Zambia.
Last month, the MMD under my hand wrote a letter to the Commissioner of the ECZ. In that letter, we outlined the many threats that exist in the manner the electoral process is being managed.
The rigging of an election does not happen on the Election Day but months and even years before the polling day. As of today, the August 12th election stands highly compromised and if the process does not get publicly fixed, the accrued lack of confidence in the process may trigger high levels of insecurity beyond August.
In our letter to ECZ we raised basic concerns like the abuse of the POA by the police, which has limited the opposition’s capacity to mobilize voters ahead of the general election. We also raised issues of alleged under age registered voters and the many foreigners who have allegedly registered as voters. The ECZ has not been consultative and therefore raised great anxiety on the part of stakeholders.
We are aware that not all our concerns may be considered as the responsibility of the ECZ, but our expectation would be that any referee would be interested in concerns raised by both teams, before and during the game. The voice of the opposition has not been heard by the ECZ.
We therefore call on all stakeholders to call out the current fraudulent process by demanding that ECZ begins to listen to our concerns. My appeal to the opposition leaders is not only to release statements and do the restricted campaigns but to demand for a clean and fair electoral process. The temptation to think you shall win without being interested in cleaning up the electoral process is a fallacy. We all need to stop before we Spend millions of dollars into these campaigns and demand for fair electoral rules. We can’t be careless. The Zambian people deserve a free and fair election which shall produce leaders as chosen by themselves.
ELECTORAL CORRUPTION
The distribution of cash with the intention of manipulating the outcome of an election is the clearest definition of corruption. The blatant distribution of both cash and gifts in an election year reveals the rot in our politics. Anything conceived in corruption can only be sustained by corruption. The ECZ must take special interest in these activities as they have a direct impact on the efficacy of the electoral process. While it is evident that those involved in these illicit activities are politicians who have no message and come from a depraved background where they had no access to money, to flaunt this crookedly acquired wealth shows the bankruptcy of peoples hearts.
We expect the ECZ to raise a red flag and call out these corrupt cadres and leaders. To give huge gifts to chiefs and churches in an election year sends a very bad tone of abuse. Abuse of the poor.
If no punishment is meted to the offenders then the electoral results shall lose their efficacy. Law enforcement agencies must arrest and investigate all these gifts and cash being distributed wholesale. We further demand that these corrective efforts be done in a public manner to send a strong message that whosoever is caught corrupting voters will suffer serious consequences.
COVID-19 AND VACCINE
The next president of Zambia must have a clear and resolved position on how to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and its offshoots. I wish to assure the Zambian people that, elected President, we shall bring this pandemic to an end through a multilateral approach which includes all recommended health measures and prayer.
On January 31st 2021, I called the Nation to a day of prayer and fasting, to stop the plague. This was at the height of the pandemic when we were recording as high as 1,700 new cases pay day. As of 2nd March, which is 30 days after prayer, new cases plummeted to slightly over 400. We do have a reason to go back to God on a thanksgiving mission. Tomorrow at 14:00hrs we have called the nation to a thanksgiving service which shall run on all our online platforms including Radio Christian voice. I invite you to join us as I preach on a message entitled, “THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.”
I wish to commend president LUNGU and his minister of health for being cautious in the ordering of the COVID-19 vaccine. We should not be in a hurry and we should not be pushed by any spirit of the age.
A couple of weeks ago, the police in South Africa pounced on a ware house were fake vaccines were being stored in readiness for roll out on innocent black South Africans. In the same week, a factory in China was exposed for producing fake vaccines for export. It is for this reason that I raised a red flag in January this year when I recommended that no Zambian must be vaccinated using untested vaccines by our own scientists. I recommend that we wait.
APPEAL TO THE CHURCH
In 1991, the MMD government declared Zambia as a Christian nation. This was in recognition of the role the church has played since independence in shaping the values of the Zambian society. The Church was in the forefront in changing the vote from the one party system of government to a multiparty democracy in 1991. The church was in the forefront of stopping the third term debate of the late President Chiluba.
Today, Zambia stands divided on many fronts. We are divided along tribal lines and the voting patterns in the past show tribalism at its worst. We are divided on political lines where political parties have become cults that see no wrong in themselves except in the other party. It is this sad position that has generated uncontrolled political violence and hatred. With this atmosphere of a toxic political environment, it is impossible for Zambia to develop and give hope to the next generation of Zambians. In this state, we need to look beyond the change of political parties as the only panacea to the problems of Zambia. We need to look at individual political leaders seeking for office in August. The Bible says, “You shall know them by their fruit..” This is the only qualification that guarantees a better future for any nation.
I present the New Hope MMD as the alternative as its past demonstrates real service to Zambians. Under the MMD a vibrant economy emerged which raised Zambia to the status of one of the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Under the MMD we exercised great fiscal discipline which resulted in zambia liquidating the $7.2 billion debt in a historic first. The good news for Zambians this August is that I had the honor of working hand in hand with the late President Levy Mwanawasa when this economic miracle happened. Elected President, I stand ready to emulate the discipline and patriotism of the late Mwanawasa to take Zambia even further into global success.
The game changer in this coming election is the Church vote. Not a tribal or party vote. Every child of God will be given an opportunity to vote on either tribe, political party or righteousness. I have strong faith to believe that many Christians on that day, will cast their vote on righteousness rather than tribe. It is our obligation to do so. The Bible testifies that, “ When the righteous rule, people rejoice, and when the unrighteousness rule, people mourn.” May this biblical truth haunt us in our churches and in our hearts until we choose to line up with God’s word and put righteousness on the throne.
I thank you and may God bless the Republic of Zambia.
Government has launched seven new communication towers in Msanzala constituency in a bid to enhance mobile communication services in the area.
Speaking during the launch of the new towers at Ukwimi-A in Lusangazi district recently, ZAMTEL Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Mupeta said the seven towers that have been installed in Msanzala are under the phase two of the 1,009 communication towers project which government is undertaking countrywide.
Mr. Mupeta revealed that the total number of government towers installed in Msanzala constituency alone is now 17.
“This project will see the installation of 1,009 new communication towers in the country to enhance communication in rural areas,” he said.
And Mr. Mupeta stated that the communication towers in Msanzala would boost business in the area where most people depend on farming.
He said the farmers in Msanzala will now be able to make their business transactions effectively as they negotiate with potential buyers of their produce on mobile phones.
He added that towers are critical infrastructure that will facilitate in creating a conducive environment for people in the rural areas to meet their aspirations.
Mr. Mupeta has since urged people in the area to support ZAMTEL so that more revenue is generated, which would result into increased number of communication towers and internet services.
And Msanzala Constituency Member of Parliament, Peter Daka stated that the installation of the new communication towers was one of the campaign promises the Patriotic Front party made in 2016.
Mr. Daka is happy with other development projects that government has embarked on in his constituency.
Some of the development projects in Msanzala include the grading of the Petauke-Lusangazi road and the road that links Lusangazi and Mambwe districts as well as other feeder roads.
He said the electrification of Sandwe chiefdom through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the drilling of boreholes for improved water and sanitation are the other development projects that the PF government has implemented in Lusangazi.
“This is what we promised during campaign in 2016 and now you can see that we gave you a new district and this district has come with so many developments such as what we are witnessing today,” he said.
And speaking earlier, Lusangazi District Commissioner Godwin Phiri said the installation of the ZAMTEL towers in the area is a milestone achievement which will improve communication for the people in the area.
Mr. Phiri said communication through mobile phones had been a challenge in Lusangazi district but hoped that this this problem will be a thing of the past.
“We will now be able to talk on the phone without any challenges of network as the situation used to be in the past because ZAMTEL has made things easier,” he said.
Meanwhile, chief Sandwe of the Nsenga people of Lusangazi district thanked government for improving communication in the area.
“I say thank you to the President for this initiative and I ask you the MD for ZAMTEL to extend your services to other areas such as where my palace is located so that we are all catered for since mobile network is a challenge almost everywhere in Lusangazi,” he said.
Zesco United recorded their fifth consecutive win after edging Kabwe Warriors 2-1 away in Kabwe on Sunday to restore a four point lead at the top of the FAZ Super Division.
Zesco, who have moved to 40 points after playing 20 matches, are four ahead of second placed Zanaco.
All the three goals in this game came in the first half with striker Enock Sakala Jr handing the visitors an early lead at Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu Stadium with a 15th minute headed goal.
Warriors equalised 20 minutes later through Sydney Phiri but Zesco went ahead again this time around with experienced defender Adrian Chama as the scorer on 39 minutes.
This was Chama’s second goal in three days having contributed a goal in the 4-1 mauling of Lumwana Radiants last Thursday in Ndola.
The Magnificent Warriors sixth loss of the season leaves them stuck on 31 points.
In Solwezi, Lusaka Dynamos moved into third place on the table after thumping struggling Lumwana Radiants in North Western.
Attacker Marvin Jere grabbed a brace as Dynamos moved to 33 points, seven behind leaders Zesco after playing 21 matches.
Elsewhere on Sunday, new Indeni coach Mwenya Chipepo engineered a 2-0 win over his immediate former club Prison Leopards.
Forward Clement Mulenga was the hero of the day when scoring a brace at Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu Stadium in the lunch-time match.
Chipepo, a Zambia Correctional Service officer, last month took up the Indeni coaching job after ditching Prison.
Traditional leaders in Luapula province have appealed to the government to consider waiving tuition fees for the girls in public learning institutions from primary to tertiary level.
Luapula Chiefs Council Secretary chief Chisunka made the call following an observation that tuition fees for both male and female learners in public institutions are part of the factors that hinder further education of girls.
“When you check fees in primary, secondary schools, and tertiary institutions, you will find that girls pay the same for education as what the male child pays. For instance, if it is K1, 000 to pay both males and females will pay the same fee. This is frustrating the same initiatives meant to ease the educational interest of girls,” he observed.
Chief Chisunka has since lobbied parliamentarians to enact laws that will reduce the burden of paying school fees for the girls as a means of fighting child marriage.
“We want a girl child starting from grade one to college or university level not to be paying tuition fees so that we can see where we will reach as a country in this fight,” he said.
He said traditional leaders are making efforts to retrieve girls from marriages but this initiative is annulled when parents fail to pay school fees.
“School requires money and often times money is not found either by the chief or the girl child’s parents. But when we write letters to civil society organizations and other authorities to sponsor the girls we have taken away from marriages, the response they give us is that they also don’t have funds,” he said.
Chief Chisunka and chief Kalasa Lukangaba of the Ushi people in Mansa district were speaking during the Plan International Zambia’s “strengthening civil society to end child marriage in Eastern and Southern Africa” project launch of in Luapula Province.
And chief Kalasa Lukangaba wondered why the fight against early marriages has not yielded much results even after many years of such efforts.
“Luapula is still ranked second highest in numbers of early child marriage in the country, and from the time we started this fight nothing has changed. We appeal to relevant authorities to consider revising policies concerning the girl child,” he said.
He said the effort being put in by traditional leaders to fight early child marriages should be proportionate to efforts of those in charge of enacting laws.
Meanwhile, Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa said government still believes in the potential of a girl child hence it will continue to further their education.
“So for us as government, any programme aimed at fostering the wellbeing of a girl child be it at the home level, village level, school level or church level, we stand firm in support and we shall not relent,” he said.
Mr. Chilangwa stated that for the recent past years, government has demonstrated its position on the matter by being an advocate of strengthening laws against girl child abuse.
“This is because the girl child is always disadvantaged especially in the village setting, where if there is only enough money to send one child to school, more often than not we hear that let the girl remain at home while the boy is sent to school,” he said.
Mr. Chilangwa explained that the initiatives to safeguard the welfare of the girl child must not be misinterpreted as one aimed at encouraging females to be lazy.
He said there should be a balance of opportunities given to both boys and girls even as the latter utilise chances given to them.
“As you know President Edgar Lungu is the African champion for a girl child and this is what he is advocating for that there should be a balance between the girl and boy child. So, we must follow in the footsteps of our leader,” he stated.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has asked civil society organizations (CSOs) to work with it (TIZ) in addressing issues that are affecting communities.
TIZ Advocacy Officer Rosaria Lungu has disclosed that her organization has since engaged some CSOs in Ndola, Kapiri Mposhi, Mansa, Chongwe and Chipata districts to work together with it.
Ms. Lungu was speaking during a virtue training of Transparency Action Groups (TAGs) and CSOs.
“Our plan is to start working with all CSOs in communities to ensure that efforts are put together on common cases affecting communities. We understand that the government is getting frustrated receiving the same issue from different organizations. We need to network if we are to excel and help people in the communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, TIZ has introduced Advocacy and Legal Advice for Citizens (ALAC) to offer an independent channel for victims or witnesses of corruption and maladministration to report their concerns, proposed solutions and seek legal advice.
Ms. Lungu explained that legal desks will be opened in 10 districts across the country where TIZ has offices.
She added that the centres will also help people who have complaints and information on public service delivery.
“We aims at advocacy to provide free legal advice or practical help to citizens and to increase capacity of public institutions to work with people by receiving and dealing with complaints effectively. We want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing anti-corruption interventions in the delivery of public services,” she said.
She said the ALAC will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that offenders are brought to book and the cases to a successful conclusion.
And Ndola district TAG Animator Mike Mshanga has stressed that the component which has been introduced is meant for the two institutions to work together for a common goal that will help bridge the gap between community members and the government in terms of information access and reporting issues affecting them.
Mr. Mshanga said the move to work together would help work systematically and help address issues efficiently.
He has since welcomed the initiative by TIZ and said that addressing community issues needed concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
Mr. Mshanga emphasized that the CSOs collaboration with government institutions will effectively bring the much needed public services closer to communities.
Zambia’s first female Professor, Hon. Nkandu Luo has paid glowing tribute to President Edgar Lungu for standing for gender equality and equity in the nation.
Speaking Friday on the round table talk in Lusaka, Prof Luo said Zambia had passed the gender equality and equity bill which had now become law.
She said President Lungu had further demonstrated his support for women by appointing a woman, Mrs Inonge Wina as first female Vice President of Zambia.
Prof Luo who is also fisheries and Livestock Minister however bemoaned that women don’t support each other and urged them to be more united especially that society still remains male dominated.
She said many are the times that women are pulled down by fellow women.
“In my constituency in Munali, my fellow women are in the forefront saying we now want a man and yet I have delivered development in constituency. Munali is now a far much better place than it used to be. I have prudently utilized the constituency development fund. I help a lot of orphans to go to school. What I will not do is line up people and dish them money.. That I will not do because its a cause of confusion. If I line up people and give them hundred Kwachas, what about others who won’t recieve a hundred Kwacha? She said.
And Hon. Luo has urged women to love themselves stating if they haven’t done so in the past, to use the occasion of women’s day on monday the 8th of March 2021, to begin to love themselves.
She said women are so important in each aspect of life and that their importance cannot be over emphasised.
She said women’s day is a very important occasion not to protest as women but to celebrate the achievements of women and for women to remind themselves that they still have work to do so that the male gender begins to appreciate the important role women play in society.
On Monday, 8th March 2021, the world will commemorate Women’s day under the theme choose to challenge.
Women’s day is an annual event that has been celebrated worldwide since 1911.
The video of the funeral service of late Zambian nationalist and businessman Andrew Sardanis, who died on 28 February 2021 aged 89. Among the keynote speakers at the event were founding President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and former South African president Thabo Mbeki.
Napsa Stars coach Mohammed Fathi believes last Wednesday’s league loss at Young Green Eagles has not dented their belief heading into this Wednesday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group B opener in Morocco against holders RS Berkane.
Napsa are currently en route to Berkane on the back of a humbling 3-1 away league loss to struggling promoted side Young Eagles in Kafue.
The result is sixth from bottom Napsa’s heaviest league defeat this season.
“We know where the breakdown is and the players are taking each game separately,” Fathi said.
“And this game has different preparations and mentality and they are ready to fight.”
Napsa’s league form is in contrast to their continental run where they are unbeaten in their debut CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, the 23-member team left for Casablanca on Saturday afternoon from Lusaka via the Dubai.
From Casablanca, the team will travel north-east near the Algerian border to Berkane.
It will also be Napsa’s debut away trip to North Africa after preliminary stage excursions to Comoros, Mozambique and Kenya.
“It is a long journey, I can’t say what the effect on the team will be but we will assess the players when we arrive after midnight meaning; early Monday morning, and we will see what we can do,”Fathi said.
TEAM
GOALKEEPERS: Philip Banda, Rabson Muchelenganga, Shaban Ohdoji
DEFENDERS: David Owino, Luka Banda, Luka Nguni, Lawrence Chungu, Bornwell Silengo, Amos Simwanza
MIDFIELDERS: Jacob Ngulube, Daniel Adoko ,Dickson Chapa, Danny Silavwe, Aaron Kabwe, Austin Banda,Enock Sabumukama ,Aaron Banda, Simon Chipanama
STRIKERS: Chanda Mushili, Bornwell Mwape, Jimmy Mukeya, Emmanuel Mayuka, Doisy
Backed by GRZ, UN and GCF, Farmer Field Schools are helping Zambia’s small-scale farmers and their communities become better equipped with knowledge and capacity to adapt and turn climate risks into climate resilience
By Moses Zangar, Jr.
For years, Kennedy Chilepa struggled to eke out a living growing maize and cowpeas on his farm in Zambia’s Mambwe District, where crop yields often take a big hit due to severe dry spells and floods, jeopardizing food security.
Chilepa and many small-scale farmers in the country’s east had long relied on traditional farming methods to manage their crops. But such traditional know-how has become increasingly unreliable and are no longer sufficient to cope with a changing climate.
Farmer Field School at Ngambwa camp in Nyimba district listen to the Camp Extension Officer Photo by Turnbull Chama at FAO
Unable to rely anymore on their outdated methods, Chilepa knows one way to save his farm in Ncheka Village is to sign up to the Farmer Field School in his village and learn how climate change impacts their farming and how to adapt to erratic weather.
“At first, it was a difficult decision for me because I didn’t believe in anything called climate change. After participating in the Farmer Field School, I now know the benefits of converting to these new ways of farming are many and they are worth the time,” the 44-years-old said.
EFFORTS TO HELP
To help remedy the situation, a project financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest dedicated climate fund, is helping small-scale farmers cope with worsening climate change impacts in Zambia. Led by the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture, the Farmer Field School initiative operates under the aegis of a project locally known as SCRALA. The partnership with the government was mobilised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through a coalition involving the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Under the GCF-funded SCRALA project, 76 Farmer Field Schools have since been established in eight districts – Mambwe, Nyimba, Mafinga, Chama, Luangwa, Rufunsa, Chongwe and Chirundu – with each school comprising between 30 to 35 participants. The project has so far trained 2,300 small-scale farmers to locally identified and prioritized adaptation practices and it’s looking to expand the initiative to eight other districts namely, Kazungula, Siavonga, Gwembe, Namwala, Sesheke, Shangombo, Senanga and Mulobezi this year.
Planting FFS demos at Buli camp in Chama district. Photo by Turnbull Chama at FAO
The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are experimental learning centres designed to foster uptake of best practices. They also aim to train and build capacity of extension officers and provide information to small-scale farmers on agriculture resilience including information on diversification of crops and livelihoods.
The SCRALA project has deployed 15 United Nations Volunteers who are working with farming communities in 16 drought and flood-prone districts – promoting alternative livelihood practices and sustainable farming techniques to fend off climate change and improve food security.
Land preparation of FFS demos at Katangalika camp in Chama district
WEATHER FORECAST
With 20 more automated weather stations added to the existing 68 stations under a previous UNDP-supported project, the Zambia Meteorological Department is taking important steps to give farmers accurate and easily digestible weather information, tailored to specific locations, which will allow farmers to plan better and optimise the planting season.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department holds forums where they share forecasts and agro-meteorological tips on how farmers can prepare for the coming farming season. These improved agro-meteorological tips are giving small-scale farmers the support they need to strengthen resilience and better prepare for more frequent climate shocks.
GAME CHANGER
“I don’t have to wait on rainfall to grow my crops these days. I now harvest two times more from the same field I used to prior to joining the Farmer Field School. My household has enough food to eat and sell,” Kennedy Chilepa said.
Farmer Beauty Sakala, a 59-year-old single mother from Kakwiya Village almost lost interest in farming when she realised that more erratic weather was making agriculture an unreliable source of income. But these days, her garden is green and fertile, and she produces twice as much after joining the Farmer Field School.
“I am now making a living for my family planting vegetables that grow quickly and require less water that can fetch me more money than maize,” Beauty brags.
WOMEN TAKING THE LEAD
Women constitute more than half of Zambia’s population of 18 million people and their leadership in agriculture is increasingly being recognized as key to adapting to climate change in the country. Women make up more than 70 percent of the agricultural labour force in Zambia and play a critical role in enhancing food security and nutrition, as they are the mainstay of agricultural production. They are playing a strong role in adapting new technology, spreading information, and urging action.
Two of those who have stepped up in Mambwe District are Bridget Nyirenda and Mary Mbale. With their histories of dismal harvests plus the knowledge they gained from the Farmer Field School, both women are on the frontline cascading this valuable knowledge to other women farmers in their villages – helping them identify available management options to mitigate climate related risks.
Patricia Munwela of Kazungala District in Southern Zambia has first hand experience on impacts of climate change. She now practices conservation agriculture to safe her crops Photo NAIS
“I am very lucky to participate in the Farmer Field School. I will share the knowledge with as many women as possible so that they too can improve their harvests and make a better living,” Bridget said.
“Without the knowledge to cope with this ever-changing weather, one can die of hunger. We really needed this knowledge to help us beat bad weather and grow more food,” Mary said.
These farmers have proved the most open to trying new ideas to deal with climate-stress – even when they have been taunted for attending training sessions. The knowledge gained from the hands-on group learning and on-farm demonstrations enables farmers to make their own locally specific decisions about crop management practices.
“This has resulted in sustainable development benefits, as these vulnerable farmers and their families have seen increases in income and enhanced food security, leading to health and environmental co-benefit,” said Turnbull Chama who coordinates the SCRALA Farmer Field School initiative under FAO.
EMBRACING FIELD-BASED LEARNING
Approximately 90 percent Zambia’s rural population depend on rainfed agriculture for a living, making them highly vulnerable to more extreme weather associated with climate change, agricultural experts say.
The goal of the SCRALA project is to improve farming yields, reduce poverty and bolster food security in a country where, during times of peak production, up to 60 percent of the country’s staple crop, maize, is grown by small-scale farmers, according to government figures.
Zambia continues to witness an increase in both the frequency and intensity of climate and weather shocks, resulting in more rural households being locked in the poverty cycle, particularly small-scale farmers. Experts say this trend will continue and likely get worse through the rest of this century.
A happy Milimo
This indicates that more investment needs to go into adaptation options that ensure farming systems in the country are resilient to these extreme events, and allow for diversification of livelihoods that include livestock, fisheries and development of the agricultural value chain, agricultural experts say.
Songowayo Zyambo, the Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, is confident such grounded, field-based learning will help farmers adapt to the country’s shifting climate.
“The current farmer to extension worker ratio in Zambia stands at about 1000:1; and this is against an ideal and internationally recommended ratio of about 400:1. Therefore, in an effort to improve extension service delivery, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, has been promoting the formation of Farmer Field Schools, as this is an innovative approach that groups farmers together, in order to increase the coverage of extension service delivery,” Zyambo said.
Grace Milimo, a smallscale farmer in Gwembe District aspires to be a commercial farming photo by Moses Zangar Jr
In spite of this affirmative action, agriculture analysts say major facets of gender inequalities still exist, especially among rural women employed in the agriculture sector, who constitute 76 percent of the agricultural labour force. These include women’s limited access to and control over productive resources, services and markets.
“As the largest service provider in the UN system supporting countries on climate change adaptation and mitigation, UNDP will continue to partner with the Government of Zambia, the private sector and other UN agencies on this defining issue of our time on a wide range of interventions, including strengthening resilience at grass-root level to help sharpen the ability of small-scale farmers, mainly women to make critical and informed decisions that render their farming profitable and climate-smart,” says Lionel Laurens, the UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia.
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POOR HARVESTS
In the face of increasingly unpredictable weather, adapting to climate change is an important step in helping small-scale farmers avoid future losses and adopt innovative and tailor-made methods to make their farming sustainable, efficient and economically profitable.
Farmer John and his children pose for a photo before his yields in Gwembe District. Photo Moses Zangar Jr.
For many of Zambia’s long-struggling small-scale farmers like Chilepa, Beauty, Bridget and Mary, the Farmer Field School approach, a GCF-funded initiative supported by a UN coalition led by UNDP with FAO and WFP in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, offers hope that they might break the cycle of poor harvests, thereby transforming climate risks into climate resilience.
Note: The author is Communications Specialist for the Environment Unit at UNDP Zambia.
A couple reaps the benefits of Conservation Farming in Western Zambia. Photo by Moses Zangar Jr
Newly appointed UPND Deputy Secretary-General for politics, Patrick Mucheleka says it is disheartening that enemies of doom could accuse the largest opposition political party in the country, the UPND of being ‘undemocratic’.
Speaking on Muvi TV’s Special Interview last evening, Mr Mucheleka stressed that the recently-held extraordinary elective General Assembly by the UPND was a reflection of the face of Zambia’s ethnic and cultural composition.
Mr Mucheleka also dispelled rumours that the just-ended intra-party elections were doctored to favour a few select individuals.
He stated that that the more than 30 percent of women representation of women in the numerous portfolios in the UPND were a reflection of the party’s adherence to numerous protocols that call for gender balance in key decision making organs of political parties in the country.
He says it was laughable that certain sections of Zambian society expected the UPND to conduct intra-party elections in an unhazardous manner when it was evident that Zambia had slid into a Police state.
And Mr Mucheleka says the UPND wasn’t in any alliance with questionable individuals such as Steve Nyirenda of the National Restoration Party (NAREP) and disposed of National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, Chishimba Kambwili, but the people of Zambia!
He says Zambians were yearning for meaningful change to restore the country’s lost economic fortunes and heritage.
Mr Mucheleka has also described as a “detrimental scheme of disfranchising” Zambians through the manipulation of the voter register which has seen a reduction in the number of registered voters in the so-called opposition strongholds, saying the UPND was confident that the registered voters in PF strongholds would vote for the opposition this August.
He says the habitual flashing money like tree leaves and grass by known PF cadres would not aid the PF in holding onto power permanently.
He observes that recent sentiments by Vice President, Inonge Mutukwa Wina that those splashing huge stacks of money to the public was a sign the those in the ruling party had lost touch with reality and a slap on the face of innocent Zambians.
Two districts in Muchinga province have been earmarked to benefit from the 200-Million United States dollars World Bank funded rural roads connectivity project of upgrading roads in selected districts around the country.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Vincent Mwale said in Muchinga Province, Chinsali and Shiwang’andu districts have been selected to benefit from the project of upgrading roads to quality standards.
Mr. Mwale who was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Muchinga province Minister Malozo Sichone in Chinsali today, charged that Government will continue to prioritize road infrastructure development throughout the country in order to enhance safe transportation of goods and services on improved roads.
“I wish to also mention that other districts such as Isoka and Nakonde will benefit from the project in the second phase which will start in the second quarter of 2021 under the same project funded by the World Bank and the Government of the Republic of Zambia,” he added.
Mr. Mwale further mentioned that government will ensure that the Chama-Matumbo and the Chama- Lundazi roads are completed in due course in order to connect Muchinga and Eastern Provinces with a modern road network.
And Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone appreciated government for considering the province in the rural roads connectivity project, where Chinsali and Shiwang’andu districts will be the first to benefit.
Mr. Sichone said the upgrading of roads in the province will economically benefit the people, especially in the effective transportation of goods such as farm products on time and thus make challenges of good transportation a thing of the past.
“As people of Muchinga, we are very grateful to President Edgar Lungu for addressing issues of infrastructure with urgency,” he said.
The Provincial Minister further appealed to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure to quickly work on the Nakonde-Kanyala road which has been in a poor state for many years, lamenting that people in the area have been complaining about the state of the road for a long time.
Mr. Sichone also called on the Minister to treat the recently collapsed bridge that was washed away by heavy rains in Mafinga with immediate urgency.
And in response to both appeals, Mr Mwale assured the provincial minister that a solution will be found as both situations are matters of emergency.
Mr Mwale was in Muchinga Province check on the progress of roads and Infrastructure projects.
A critical shortage of safe drinking water has hit Shamutamba and Twengelele area in Chikankata district of Southern province.
The two communities are walking 5 kilometers to draw water to the nearest water points.
Shamutamba community representative Scavier Mazila complained to ZANIS that members of community are forced to walk a distance of more than five kilometers to have access to clean drinking water.
He said the area has no enough boreholes to cater for the growing population and appealed to government to drill more water points
“Life has been difficult for us here due to lack enough boreholes in Shamutamba area”, he cried.
He appealed to government to drill more boreholes in Shamutamba area in order to alleviate water crisis in Shamutamba in Chief Naluama.
Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental protection Raphael Nakachinda has disclosed that phase one of the 40 million United states dollars Water project in Luapula Province has reached 41 percent.
The Minister says the Project which is being implemented in two phases will see over 200 000 people in four Districts namely Mansa, Samfya, Kawambwa and Mwense have access to clean and safe water once completed.
Mr. Nakachinda revealed that 27 million United States dollars out of the total amount of the project will be spent on the Mansa and Samfya works while the remaining amount will cater for Mwense and Kawambwa as phase two.
Speaking when he called on Luapula Province Minister at his office, mr Nakachinda said the project for Mansa and Samfya is progressing well while the contract for Mwense and Kawambwa which is in phase two is yet to be awarded.
“As a Ministry we are confident that once the project is completed a lot of people in the Province will have access to safe and clean water and that is the desire of the Republican President Edgar Lungu, ” he said
He further disclosed that his Ministry is implementing another project in Nchelenge and Chiengi Districts apart from 152 boreholes which have been drilled in the Province.
He added that 7 water scheme projects have also been done in the Province as part of government commitment to ensuring people have access to clean and safe water in the country.
And Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa stressed the need to establish the Luapula water Authority.
The Minister noted the importance of protecting the Luapula River just as the Zambezi River is also protected.
“There are a lot of human activities taking place along the Luapula River and therefore there is need to regulate how these activities are done,” he observed.
Mr Chilangwa reiterated that the Province will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Water Development so that the Luapula water Authority is actualized.
And the Minister observed that the Water projects being undertaken in the province will enable the water utility company become economically viable.
Minister of water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection is in Luapula Province to tour some of the water Projects in the region.
