FRIDAY BRIEF
WEEK 3, 2015
THIS Week’s Highlights
· FUEL PRICES DROP BY OVER 20%
· ZNFU MEETS GIZ OVER THE NEW WATER LAW
· ADB FUNDS MUCHINGA AND NORTHERN PROVINCES
…… SEE DETAILED UPDATES BELOW……
INDUSTRY UPDATES/ALERTS
FUEL PRICES DROP BY OVER 20%
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has dropped local fuel prices, with effect from midnight of 16th January 2015. Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene are now selling for K7.60, K6.59 and K 4.69 per litre, respectively. Petrol prices have been reduced by about 23.12% and diesel by 30.76%. ERB has attributed this price drop to the relative stability of the Kwacha in December 2014 and the purchase of the current cargo in December 2014 when Oman crude was selling for US$58.33 per barrel, 32.88% lower than the October 2014 price. ERB has stated that the percentage drop in the local retail price is lower than the drop internationally due to other fixed costs. ERB has further stated that according to its pricing model, if subsequent procurement of feedstock is made while the falling trend in international oil prices continues and the exchange rate appreciates or holds steady, then more reductions will be expected in the near future.
ZNFU MEETS GIZ OVER THE NEW WATER LAW
ZNFU has expressed concern over a number of provisions in the Water Resources Management Act No. 12 of 2011 which is currently under enforcement. In a consultative meeting with a technical team from the German Technical Aid for Zambia (GIZ) held at ZNFU Headquarters, the Union has emphasized a strong need to rethink the provisions on easement rights, statutory fees, permits and licenses which have a high potential of worsening the already high cost of agricultural production in Zambia. As currently provided for in the Act, the clauses can potentially stifle private sector investment in agriculture especially in irrigation. Submitting to the technical team on the development process of water-use regulations, ZNFU has stressed the need for an explicit outline of rights, duties and obligations for the water users as the first level of addressing water-use conflicts. This is also envisioned to help strengthen the mandate of the prospective Water Users Associations. However, the Union has noted with fear that land-use and land-use change are potential threats to the protection of underground water resources – an issue which the Water Resources Act does not directly address. ZNFU has since called on WARMA to improve its communication and information flows to water users as a matter of urgency and for convenience.
Meanwhile, WARMA recognizes the Union as a very important platform for a crucial cohort of water users. The Authority has since demonstrated a continuous commitment to stakeholder engagement throughout the process of developing water use regulations aimed at finding a practical way of implementing provisions of the Act.
ADB FUNDS MUCHINGA AND NORTHERN PROVINCES
The African Development Bank (ADB) in partnership with the Zambian government has funded Muchinga and Northern Province on the project of improving Livestock Infrastructure Support Project (LISP). The project will run for 5 years starting last year up to 2018 and the project goal is to reducing poverty and ensuring household food security for intended beneficiaries. This came to light when Muchinga Province held a sensitization meeting with all the key stakeholders at the PACO’s office this week on Wednesday, 14th January, 2014.
NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
EASTERN B REGION
NAIS PLEDGES TO PARTNER WITH ZNFU
The National Agriculture Information Services (NAIS) in Petauke District has pledged to partner with ZNFU in information dissemination and delivery to the farming community in the District. This came to light when the District Information Services Officer Mrs. Rodah Sikombe Bwanga visited the ZNFU Regional Office for Eastern B. She said her office was aware of the many programs which ZNFU is implementing in Petauke and as such there was need to combine efforts. She cited low productivity levels as one element which has persisted among the small scale farmers due to poor information dissemination.
FARMERS YET TO RECEIVE TOP DRESSING FERTILIZER
Farmers in Petauke that participated on the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) are still struggling to collect their inputs, especially urea which is being supplied by Nyiombo Investment. Farmers were yesterday turned back and told that the supplier was still awaiting the commodity. The situation prompted the District Commissioner to address the angry farmers who had gathered at the DC’s Office. The District Commissioner assured the farmers that starting Friday they will collect their inputs and the government has since engaged Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia to distribute 1196.75 tons of top dressing fertilizer (urea) to farmers in the District.
BORE-WORMS INVADE NYIMBA
There has been reports of Bore-worms attack on the maize fields in selected parts of Nyimba. The most affected area is Mtilizi settlement scheme. A check by the Agricultural Camp Officers have indicated that some fields have been adversely affected, with crop portions of up to 2ha having been destroyed by the worms. The office of DACO has since told the farmers to be alert and report such matter immediately to the camp officers.
SOUTHERN A REGION
COLLAPSED DAM WORRY FARMERS
Farmers of Mulobezi district are worried by the collapse of dam, which the majority depend on for irrigation and fishing to earn their living. The concerned farmers have since appealed to government through the DDMU to aid them by repairing the dam, as it is their only means of survival. When contacted to give details on the extent of damage, the District Water Affairs Officer confirmed to ZNFU that the incident was detrimental to the people of Mulobezi.
LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT SENSITIZATION MEETINGS CHEERS FARMERS
In a bid to manage and combat the outbreak of livestock diseases, Zimba district Veterinary department, led by the DVO have embarked on livestock management sensitization meetings and publicity campaigns in the farming communities. This move has been necessitated by the predominance of foot and mouth disease, black leg and tick borne diseases such as east coast fever which has killed livestock in large numbers. Most farmers have therefore expressed happiness and commended the Veterinary officers for reaching out with such critical knowledge. Areas covered so far include; Mooka, Luyaba and Siamafumba ICs.
SOUTHERN B REGION
FUEL SHORTAGE HITS MAZABUKA
At a time when the nation celebrates a reduction in fuel pump prices, Mazabuka District is suffering an acute shortage of fuel lasting 10 days so far. Business in the District has been negatively affected and farmers have since complained of the exorbitant transportation costs resulting from the shortage. It is anticipated however, that the situation will improve by 16th of January 2015.
POLITICAL CONFRONTATIONS IN MONZE SCARES FARMERS
Fertilizer in the District lies uncollected as scores of farmers have opted to stay put due to the volatile political environment created by confrontations between the rival party cadres. Monze Central Business District was a hive of fiery political confrontations as the campaigns for the 2015 Presidential Bye Elections peak with less than four days remaining before the polls.
DEMAND FOR BUNJIMI SOARS IN NAMWALA
Demand for the Bunjimi Assert plus has increased in Namwala District with applications and account openings with NATSAVE soaring to a record high. Farmers in the District have demonstrated interest in acquiring production-enhancing machinery through the loan scheme. NATSAVE Bank representative, Mrs. Mundia Simuusa, has since announced that the Bank is embarking on a week-long mobilization tour to increase the number of participants on the program.
K3, 360 WORTH OF MILK WASTED IN NAMWALA
More than K3, 360 worth of fresh milk has gone sour in Namwala District. This follows a ZESCO interruption of power supply lasting more than 10 hours from the 13 to 14th January 2015. Niko milk collection centre in Chief Nalubamba’s area recorded a loss of 1000 litres of milk worth K2800 while Namwala Central Milk centre had 1, 200 litres of milk rejected by Parmalat due to high temperatures. The Dairy Cooperatives in the District are now rethinking the idea of joining the ZNFU Bunjimi Assert loan scheme to procure a Genset as standby for the erratic power supply.
SUGARCANE APHIDS WORRY FARMERS IN MAZABUKA
Mazabuka DFA Chairperson, Mr. Mark Coventry reports that there is a huge influx of the Yellow Sugarcane Aphids in the District. Yellow Sugarcane Aphids have been a big problem in sugarcane this year for the first time and farmers in Mazabuka are required to do major spraying, Mr. Coventry said. Further, there is huge concern that small scale farmers growing Maize might also be affected by the scourge which affects Sugarcane, Grass Pastures, Maize and Sorghum. The aphid outbreak is also likely to colonize and spread rapidly on unprotected crops, the report says
MUCHINGA REGION
DACO’S OFFICE PLEDGES TO WORK WITH ZNFU
On 12th January, 2015, the DACO’s office in Mpika District organized a stakeholders meeting which was aimed at bringing stakeholders together and share ideas on how they will work in the year 2015. The Senior Agriculture Officer (SAO) Mr. Sakala who was representing the DACO was particularly impressed with the programs the ZNFU was carrying out in the district and pledged to work closely with the DFA to ensure that more farmers come on board and benefit from the member services such as the LIMA credit scheme and Bunjimi Asset Plus. He further stressed that the farmers’ productivity can only be improved when more farmers start to participate and benefit from such programs. Stakeholders who were present at the meeting include ZNFU, Musika, Seed Companies and agro chemical companies.
NORTHERN REGION
THE LONG AWAITED FILLING STATION TO BE BELT IN LUWINGU
It was all smiles for the Luwingu residents as the Deputy Minister under the Ministry of Mines, Water and Energy – Mr. Charles Zulu in a company of the Northern Province Permanent Secretary Mr. Hlobhotha Nkunika and the Luwingu District Commissioner Mrs. Mambwe Katontoka took to the ground as he broke the ground and introduced a Chinese Company in readiness for the construction of the first ever Filling Station in the district since independence. The coming of the filling station will propel various developments including reduction in the cost of irrigation, transportation of various goods and services, and reduced transport fares between routes as the motorists will enjoy the Uniform Pump Price mechanism. However, the coming of the filling station has been welcomed by the farming community in Luwingu as this will reduce the cost of doing business.
MBALA FARMERS DEMONSTRATE OVER NON PAYMENTS BY FRA
Farmers in Mbala District on Wednesday 14th January, 2015 run battles with police due to non-payments by FRA for the maize supplied to the Agency. Farmers in the District locked up FRA Offices with big locks demanding payments which is over K30 million to clear all the farmers who supplied maize to the Agency. The Agency had however promised to pay all the remaining farmers by Wednesday which did not happen and Mbala District Commissioner Mr. Best Kabulembe has since assured farmers that they will be paid by Friday this week, 16th January, 2015. This came to light when the DC was addressing over 200 farmers who stormed his office to complain over delayed payments. By Thursday, 15th January, 2015 a few farmers had received their payment, but the Food Reserve Agency staffer talked to could not disclose the amount sent to Mbala to pay farmers.
ALERT!
The ZNFU HQ Offices will remain closed on Monday, 19th January through to Wednesday, 21st January, 2015. The Offices will resume the normal operations on Thursday, 22nd January, 2015, this is to allow the staff to go and cast their votes in their various polling areas around the country on 20th January, 2015. We regret the inconveniences this may cause.