Announcing the development at a briefing yesterday Mr Mulusa said the plan which is now awaiting implementation has a frame work enhancing the decentralisation policy.

Mr Mulusa noted that this framework was in line with the Head of States vision to create synergies and use of an integrated Multi-sectoral development approach.

Mr Mulusa announced that all the ten provinces will now know their levels of GDP contribution and thus all provinces will now need to exploit their full potential.

He said all provinces will now work hard to help contribute to the countries economic growth.

Mr Mulusa noted that the Copperbelt is still the countries highest GDP contributor followed by Lusaka and North Western province respectively.

He sited Muchinga, Western and Luapula as the least contributors.

He noted that the decentralisation would require a fundamental shift towards enhancing fiscal decentralisation as devolution of powers to lower organs.

Mr Mulusa emphasised that the seventh national development plan was in line with the Patriotic Front’s mandate to promote a bottom up approach in development planning.

Speaking at Press briefing earlier today, Minister of Development Planning Hon. Lucky Mulusa, announced that the 7NDP has been contextualised in the framework of the decentralisation policy and to this effect, the national GDP (GDP) has been decomposed into provincial GDP.

“In view of this development approach, the focus is on high level development outcomes through such all ministries, provinces and spending agencies, private sector, cooperating partners and other stakeholders will work towards achieving the 7NDP’s objectives,” said Mr Mulusa.

Provinces will now know their levels of GDP contribution based on the provinvcial comparative advantages.
To achieve this, each province will be required to exploit its full potential and contribute to Economic growth and development on the basis of their resource endowment.

Below is how the ten provinces across the country are currently fairing in terms of GDP contribution from highest GDP contributor to the lowest:

1. Copperbelt Province
2. Lusaka Province
3. Southern Province
4. Northwestern Province
5. Central Province
6. Eastern Province
7. Northen Province
8. Muchinga Province
9. Luapula Province
10. Western Province

The above actually tallies with the outcome of the poverty census that was recently carried out.

The decomposing of the national GDP has implications on the program and project implementation and it supports the principle of subsidiarity in national development planning.

It further requires a fundamental shift towards enhancing fiscal decentralisation as devolution of powers to lower organs. This also promotes the bottom up approach in development planning.

The Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC) has welcomed Government ban on the importation of some agricultural products.

The Ministry of Agriculture recently named the banned agricultural produce as tomatoes, onions, carrots, mangoes, potatoes, pineapples, lemons and watermelons. 

The Ministry said the ban follows numerous concerns by local farmers that the imported produce had a negative impact on their businesses.

PMRC Executive Director Bernadette Deka said in a statement that this decision cements Government’s resolve towards developing a sustainable, diversified and competitive agriculture sector, which has immense potential to improve the livelihoods of the people.

Ms. Deka added that this is an opportunity for farmers to further expand their production and compliments efforts that have been launched such as the “Buy Zambian Campaign”. 

“We note that several countries tend to introduce bans in order to reduce the amount of foreign exchange used for imports while other countries do so to stimulate local production. It has been observed however that for some countries, when foreign exchange earnings improve they tend to relax on the bans. As best practice, such bans are usually implemented after policies and incentives that promote local production have been affected,” Ms. Deka said.

She cited Nigeria and Zimbabwe as some of the countries that have had similar bans with Zimbabwe also having an import control mechanism.

Ms. Deka said, “Another example is that Nigeria had previously imposed bans on imports of barley and this helped to stimulate the use of locally produced sorghum to produce beer despite the motivation being foreign exchange management, not necessarily promoting innovation in brewing. This shows the dynamics around the ban of imports of selected vegetables and fruits.”

She said Zambia has abundant water resources, good soils and good climate overall for the growing of crops.

“The maize surplus for instance is an indication that we can manage to produce even more with the right methods and technology. PMRC therefore applauds Government for this decision, as it promotes empowerment of the local farmers and suppliers,” she said.

“Further, this provides a ready market for the farmers and hence there is need for more production to ensure that there are no gaps in the supply of quality vegetables and fruits.  To this effect, an assessment needs to be conducted to ascertain the demand statistics of the particular fruits and vegetables on the Zambian market,” Ms. Deka prodded.

She said this will ensure that the farmers cultivate with accurate figures and would guide the produce with surplus.

“On the issue of capacity and technology, the farmers are therefore challenged to venture into innovative and effective farming methods that will ensure quality produce in bulk on a consistent basis. It is therefore an opportunity for the local farmers to improve their farming methods.”

“To this effect, the local farmers should now embark on securing finances and venture into innovative methods of farming as well as technology that would promote efficiency,” she said.

She said the Government should therefore further invest in infrastructure that would aid the local farmers in their production.

“This can be done with the assistance of the private sector and other cooperating partners. The importance of investing in infrastructure has significant implications for food production, storage and distribution. Other factors that our local farmers should engage in are consulting on the preferred varieties for the fruit and vegetables to the local market of supermarkets and chain stores.”

She said to this effect, PMRC supports calls for the Zambia Bureau of Standard (ZABS) to develop a scale of standards that local farmers should meet in the production and distribution of the stated produce; as this is the only way that will create a win –win situation for both suppliers and consumers.

Ms. Deka said there should be a coordinated system that will enable farmers to supply consistently to the market.

“In view of Government’s decision to promote Industrial Clusters and Multi Facility Economic Zones, PMRC also calls for the establishment of such strategic ventures focusing on agriculture. This would be timely provided that the country is determined to diversify into agriculture and further promote crop diversification,” she said.

“It does suffice to say however, that without reliable roads, storage facilities, power supply and irrigation there may be concerted delays for Zambia to radically diversify and transform the agriculture sector. Further, much emphasis must be placed towards research as this will provide evidence based trends and new concepts in agriculture that will aid the development of the sector and promote good varieties of fruits and vegetables to be planted.”

21 Zambians are among the 1,000 African Entrepreneurs selected for the 2017 Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme.

The successful entrepreneurs were picked out of 93,000 applicants across 55 African countries and they now join 2,000 alumni from the 2015 and 2016 rounds.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), an African founded and funded 21st century philanthropic organization committed to entrepreneurship development, ushers in 1,000 African entrepreneurs, to form the 2017 class of $100m Entrepreneurship Programme.
 
Agriculture led the pack with nearly 1 in 3 successful applicants active in this sector, proving that African youth are indeed interested in feeding the continent.

The next most popular sector was ICT at 11% and then manufacturing standing at 9% of applications, evidence of a paradigm shift away from extractives to a more sustainable mindset that embraces industrialization and diversification.

Nigeria, is home to 50% of the 2017 cohort, with regional powerhouses Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon following respectively.

Zambia has seen 21 entrepreneurs selected in 2017, the biggest number since the programme was launched.
One of the successful applicants from Zambia Alinuswe Mwamulima is involved in fish farming, feed reproduction and hatchery.

Alinuswe runs an efficient Intensive Tilapia Aquaculture Farm, by setting up a feed production line and a Hatchery for fish fingerlings to primarily stock floating fish cages that will be placed in a freshwater body, and in ponds, with excess fingerlings and fish feed sold.

Other Zambians selected are Alfonso Chama (Commercial/Retail), Andrew Jassper Banda (Agriculture (Agribusiness, Farming), Blessing Siliuka Gondwe (Energy/Power Generation), Brian Mooto Mwangelwa (Agriculture (Agribusiness, Farming), Cephas Simwanza (Oil & Gas), Francis Mbewe (Education and Training), Israel Chisanga (Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming), Japhet Sakala (Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming) and Jessen Jay Siamutwa (ICT).

Others are Kamota Mayondi (ICT), Liswaniso Yves Mukela (Energy/Power Generation), Moonga Chowe (Financial Services), Musonda Kabamba (Education and Training), Robby Mulemba Sunga (Manufacturing) Roy Jere (Energy/Power Generation), Ryan Mwewa Kasakula (Agriculture (Agribusiness, Farming), Stephen Musonda Kambone (Agriculture (Agribusiness, Farming), Taziona Mumba (Media and Entertainment) and Tresford Himanansa (Financial Services) and Tundwa Siyubo (ICT).

The successful entrepreneurs will benefit from the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme’s 7 Pillars, a toolkit of support including business training, active mentoring, access to networks and funding of up to $10,000 as they develop their business concepts to support the transformation of the continent.

Founder Tony Elumelu wants to do more. “Standing here today to announce the successful applicants is bittersweet. There are 92,000 aspiring entrepreneurs who have been unsuccessful. These young African men and women have demonstrated passion, innovation and creativity in their applications and we should not relent until we help them all realize their aspirations. I call on other well-endowed Africans and friends of Africa, to support us to do more.”

Speaking on the Foundation’s impact in three short years, CEO, Parminder Vir OBE, revealed: “We recently sampled 600 of our existing 2,000 entrepreneurs to understand the extent of our Programme’s impact. We discovered that they have turned our investment into real returns with 1,297 jobs created so far.”

The Programme culminates in the annual TEF Entrepreneurship Forum, the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs in the world, where they will forge pan-African collaborations with each other, and meet investors, venture capitalists and other members of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The Government, through the National Road Fund Agency projects to collect Kwacha 757 Million in tolls for the financial year 2017. This represents a growth of about 89 percent from the estimated Kwacha 400 Million for 2016. The average monthly projections from all toll stations including weighbridges. Ports of entry, existing inland toll stations and additional planned stations are about Kwacha 63 Million.

THE TOTAL PROJECTED TOLL REVENUE COLLECTIONS FOR 2017, IS, – K757, 275, 974 – BROKEN DOWN AS FOLLOWS;
1. Weighbridges – K20, 620, 160
2. Ports of Entry – K390, 504, 567
3. Existing Inland Network – K77, 155, 971
4. 2017 Additional Stations – K268, 995, 276

The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) together with the Road Development Agency (RDA) is currently constructing an additional four (4) Toll Stations on the periphery of Lusaka at a total cost of USD 9.86 Million (US$9,860,725 including VAT). The contractor is Avic International Limited. The sites are as follows:

1. Shimabala Toll Station (between Lusaka and Kafue on T002). The location is approximately 25 from Lusaka and 20 Km from Kafue. The cost of this facility is US$ 2,228,346 and progress is at 80%. There are 35 Zambians currently employed in this construction phase.
2. Katuba/Chisamba Toll Station (between Lusaka and Chisamba, near Protea Chisamba Junction on T002). The location is approximately 30 Km from Lusaka near Protea Safari Lodge. The cost of this facility is US$ 2,871,263 and progress is at 75%. There are 30 Zambians currently employed in this construction phase;
3. Mumbwa Toll Station (between Lusaka and Mumbwa on M009). The location is approximately 120 Km from Lusaka near NWK Ginnery. The cost of this facility is US $ 1,700, 508 and progress is at 85%. There are 80 Zambians currently employed in this construction phase; and,
4. Chongwe Toll Station (between Lusaka and Chongwe on T004) and will cost approximately US $ 1,700, 508. Construction is yet to start.

Construction of three (3) Toll Stations at Shimabala, Chisamba and Mumbwa has progressed very well with works standing at 85 percent completion while works at Chongwe are being deferred to commence next year April 2017 due to delays in expropriation of land due to protracted land acquisition processes involving traditional authorities.

The Shimabala, Mumbwa and Chisamba toll stations are expected to commence tolling operations by 1st March 2017.

The upcoming Agritech Expo Zambia in Chisamba from 27-29 April will feature a record number of six international pavilions from strong farming countries Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe, each showcasing their own specialised products and services to the agri community.

“For four years now the German Agricultural Society has been involved in Agritech Expo Zambia” says Martin Botzian, Head of Communication at DLG International GmbH. He adds “since 2016 the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture has organised a German Pavilion and DLG supports this strategic investment, bringing German companies to the No 1 open air expo in Zambia. We see this fair constantly growing from year to year, attracting more and more exhibitors as well as professional visitors and small scale farmers from all over Zambia. It continues to be the gathering place for the agricultural business sector and delivers a very professional platform to meet all the different types of needs. Well done to all of you -we know how hard you have had to work to deliver this!”

New at Agritech Expo Zambia this year are official country pavilions from the UK, the Netherlands, France and the Czech Republic.

“The Zambian market is exciting because it is diverse, booming and very professional” says Aude Roelly, Sub-Saharan Africa Area Manager at ADEPTA, an organisation of 240 French companies specialised in agriculture and agri-food processing, and convenors of the French pavilion at Agritech Expo.

She continues: “we know that agriculture is and will be key in the diversification of the Zambian economy. The vision that is being presented by the Zambian authorities for the development of the sector relies on the private sector (investment, innovation) and the improvement of productivity. Those are very good signs for equipment and machinery providers. The shift in subsidiary, from consumption to production, is also a very good sign that Zambian companies will focus on innovation and value adding and therefore may look into French technologies and know-how.”

The Holland Pavilion at Agritech Expo is hosting 18 Dutch companies, mainly active in the poultry and dairy sectors, accompanied by several Dutch knowledge institutions that are leaders in their field of expertise in agriculture.

According to Joost van Dam, director NEC (Netherlands Export Combination) and organisers of the Holland Pavilion “Zambia will need to acquire resources such as capital, expertise and equipment in order to realise its full potential. Dutch companies can provide some of the required inputs owing to the strong position of the Netherlands in global dairy and poultry value chains.”

He says the Netherlands has had long standing involvement in Zambian agriculture. “For example, it previously supported agriculture training colleges (e.g. dairy and horticulture). Through various business support instruments, the Netherlands is currently supporting an irrigation scheme that primarily benefits small scale outgrowers.”

It is also possible for Dutch farmers to share many useful skills with their Zambian counterparts. He explains: “these range from production or technical knowledge for selected crops. Other valuable skills relate to managerial expertise that enables farmers to operate as businesses. For market entry into the Netherlands and Europe, a key requirement is certification. Local exporters must comply with public and private standards that govern imports. Association with the Dutch farm sector can facilitate transfer of such knowledge.”

The United Kingdom’s Department of International Trade has acknowledged the immense trade and investment potential that exists in Zambia’s agricultural sector, says Jelena Duza, Trade and Investment Adviser, Southern Africa, Agri-tech & Healthcare at the Department for International Trade. She adds: “this year, we have chosen Agritech Expo as an important platform to allow UK companies to access this potential and make an important contribution to the industry in Zambia. The UK Pavilion will be showcasing the best of British agricultural technologies. Visitors can expect to meet with exhibitors with a focus on livestock, mechanization, seed and crop protection, and agro-processing.”