The Embassy of the United States is partnering with the Government of the Republic of Zambia to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve fiscal governance in the country’s vital mining sector. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Energy and Natural Resources, through an 18-month program under its Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI), has joined with Deloitte to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development.

U.S. technical assistance will provide the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development with a better understanding of the fiscal implications of mineral resource development, including a review of existing revenue frameworks, in order to strengthen Zambia’s international competitiveness and attract greater private sector investment. In addition, the EGCI program will provide an overview of international best practices in regulatory and policy development in the mining sector, including a review of the Mines and Minerals Development Act, in order to support a stable and effective regulatory regime for the mining sector.

Commenting on U.S. assistance to promote economic prosperity in Zambia, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. David Young stated, “We’re very excited to partner with the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development on this project. We believe that a stronger framework for regulatory oversight and fiscal governance will help Zambia to attract greater investment into the mining sector, which in turn will support job creation and drive economic growth.”

Ten thousand emerging farmers are earmarked to receive support to increase their productivity, incomes, and sustainable farming practices under a new project spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Corteva Agriscience, Global Communities, and John Deere.

The development is a result of a Zambia Emerging Partnership whose objective is to transform Zambia’s largely subsistence sector through the commercialization of emerging farmers.

The three-year project will leverage more than K777 million (US$37 million) in loans for inputs and equipment, resulting in more than 50,000 hectares of crops planted using climate-adaptive seeds and other sustainable technologies.

Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo, in a statement issued to the media in Lusaka yesterday by Public Affairs Officer, Sean McIntosh at the U.S Embassy in Zambia, indicates that Zambia’s agriculture remains primarily subsistence, in which approximately 1.5 million smallholder farmers eking out a modest livelihood on less than two hectares of land.

Mr. Katambo observed that maize productivity is low due to limited adoption of improved technologies and practices and that smallholder farmers are vulnerable due to their reliance on rainfall which has become more variable due to climate change.

“Farming is profitable if farmers produce efficiently and empowering smallholder farmers to improve their productivity and grow their income is the sure way to eradicate hunger, poverty and improve community livelihoods,” he noted.

And USAID Charge d’ Affairs David Young stated the USAID and development organization Global Communities will train farmers on production techniques, post-harvest handling, and transport, increase access to credit and finance, and link farmers to markets.

“The U.S. government prioritizes enterprise-driven inclusive economic growth and we are excited to launch yet another partnership with the private sector to advance this goal,” said Mr. Young.

“By leveraging Corteva’s world-class seed technologies, offering farmers better access to high-quality John Deere equipment and coordinating with Global Communities and their innovative approaches to addressing rural poverty, USAID hopes to catalyze a dramatic improvement in farmer yields and income,”

Meanwhile, Global Communities Chief Executive Officer, David Weiss pointed out that his organization works to advance innovative agricultural interventions side by side with rural families, particularly women farmers who are at the vanguard of their communities.

“We connect people with resources, training, and access to capital so they can build healthy, secure, stable lives even in the face of climate change’s increasing impact on food security,” he said.

And President of Africa and the Middle East at Corteva Agriscience, Subbarao Kolli said Agronomists from Corteva Agriscience, the company behind Pannar and Pioneer brand seeds, will work directly with farmers to enhance adoption of hybrid seed and crop protection technologies and advance sustainable farming practices.

He said the collaboration is aligned to Corteva’s 2030 sustainability goals, spanning a wide range of initiatives for farmers, the land, communities, and operations.

“We will bring unparalleled technical expertise and innovative approaches and support the needs of farmers to help improve productivity, incomes, and sustainable farming practices,” Mr. Kolli stated.

Sales and Marketing Director for John Deere Africa & Middle East, Jaco Bevers indicated that through proven mechanization solutions and customer lifecycle support, the company is committed to improving the livelihoods of people across the continent in agriculture especially the communities of Zambia.

“We are honored to be part of this project and with the direct involvement and support from our dealer partner in Zambia, Afgri Equipment, we will live up to this commitment,” he assured.

The Emerging Farmers collaboration will catalyze greater productivity of emerging farmers working with 20-60 hectares of land, as well as support their communities and contribute to building a resilient global food system in Central Province that includes Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kapiri, and Luano.

Others are Southern Province specifically Chikankata, Mazabuka, Monze, Kalomo, and Choma as well as Copperbelt Province in Mpongwe, Lufwanyama, and Masaiti including Eastern Province’s Petauke district and North-Western Province Solwezi and Kasempa.

An Energy Expert has observed the need for government and stakeholders to increase sensitization on the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) for various domestic uses to help save electricity.

Energy expert under the Increased Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) projects Sam Gouda noted the low consumption of LPG among consumers.

Mr. Gouda observed that despite the advancement in technology LPG is still perceived to be hazardous by many.

“LPG is a very important energy source, it is important for cooking. The use of LPG especially for cooking will help the country save electricity. Government and stakeholders should increase sensitization for its use in both urban and rural areas,” he said.

Mr. Gouda made the remarks during the Copperbelt Provincial Consultations for the National Electricity strategies (NES), Non-Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency Strategies in Ndola.

Mr. Gouda has since called on the government to compel gas producing companies to have a uniform cylinder as it would encourage the use of the commodity among consumers.

He noted that the issue of companies’ only allowing consumers to buy gas using company branded cylinders was discouraging the consumption of LPG for cooking.

Mr. Gouda said companies should exchange gas cylinders as it would create convenience among customers and promote usage.

He further said the government should ensure the price of gas is cheaper than that of charcoal especially in rural areas where firewood has depleted to help encourage the use of LPG.

And Ministry of Energy Acting Senior Energy officer Chola Chipampa explained that Zambia has the potential to generate one thousand megawatts of energy from biomass resources such as crops, agriculture, and forest residuals.

He said the challenge has been the lack of finances to package bankable project feasibility studies.

Mr. Chola further explained that Zambia has a power deficit of 810 megawatts due to climate change factors.