Malawi’s Bingu arrives ahead of Agric Show
By Chibaula Silwamba
Thu 29 July 2010, 17:10 CAT
Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika inspecting a guard of honour on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport for the official opening of the 84th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show on July 29,2010-Picture by Thomas Nsama
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has arrived in Lusaka to open
the Zambia Agricultural and ommercial show on Saturday.
President Mutharika, his first Callista and the Malawian delegation arrived at Lusaka International Airport around 15:20 hours and President Rupiah Banda welcomed him.
A horde of dancers welcomed President Wa Mutharika and his delegation.
Malawi is Zambia’s eastern neighbour.
President Banda and his Malawian counterpart will this evening attend
a state banquet in Lusaka and tomorrow the two leaders will hold
bilateral talks.
President Mutharika will open the agricultural and commercial show
before departing on Sunday.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, BINGU WA MUTHARIKA
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Farmers call for more affordable fertilizer prices
Business Reporters
THERE has been a lukewarm reception to the recent reduction of fertilizer prices by almost 20 percent with most farmers calling for further reductions.
Farmers interviewed at the Harare Agricultural Show implored authorities to reduce the price to a more affordable amount.
A 50kg bag of either Ammonium Nitrate or Compound D fertilizer from Windmill is now priced at US$27, a drop from US$34.
Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company has also reduced its prices for a bag of either Compound D or AN from US$34 to US$27,50.
Some of the farmers exhibiting at this year’s Harare Agricultural Show expressed their displeasure at the new prices citing the "insignificance of the reduced amount to overall production".
Mrs Irene Musakwa a farmer from Murehwa said farmers were expecting a higher percentage cut in price of more than 50 percent to at least US$15 per bag of fertilizer.
"The farming season we are coming from has been difficult as fertilizer prices were beyond the reach of many farmers.
"We were expecting the price to go down to at least US$15 — a price that is more affordable to every farmer.
"Given the amount we use in acquiring inputs in relation to what we get after selling our maize grain, we do not stand any chance of making profitable business as farmers if these prices are not reduced further," said Mrs Musakwa.
Another farmer, Farai Musengi from Chegutu reiterated the same sentiments of a further reduction in fertilizer prices and called on the Government to assist farmers by addressing such issues.
He also pleaded with the Grain Marketing Board to increase the floor parity price for maize to at least US$400 per tonne to maximise grain stocks in the country. The parity price for maize offered by the GMB is currently set at US$265 per tonne.
"As farmers, we appreciate the role played by the GMB but it has had its own share of shortcomings.
"Other players have taken advantage of the fact that the parastatal does not pay cash direct while private buyers offer cash at point of sale tempting us to go for quick money for our hard earned produce.
"If the GMB could increase the price per tonne up to about US$400 per tonne from the current US$265, I am sure every farmer in the land would desist from selling their grain to private maize buyers," said Mr Musengi.
Analysts have however cited that prices could continue on the downward trend given that the price of potash that is used in the manufacturing of fertilizer has also gone down.
Fertilizer companies have also been partly forced to adopt the move by the slow uptake of the product by farmers who are finding it difficult to raise money for inputs.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, FERTILIZER, HARARE AGRICULTURAL SHOW, ZIMBABWE FERTILIZER COMPANY
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Rupiah to open this year’s agriculture and commercial show
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:30:07 PM
THE 83rd Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show which opens its gates on Thursday is estimated to gobble K3 billion compared to K2.5 billion in 2008, show society president Paul Mumbuluma has said. And President Rupiah Banda will this Saturday officially open the show under the theme: “Challenge of Change”.
At a press briefing ahead of the opening of the show, Mumbuluma said the Agriculture and Commercial Society of Zambia (ACSZ) have projected an income of K3.5 billion from the event compared to K2.7 billion recorded last year.
Mumbuluma further explained that this year’s theme for the agriculture and commercial show was a critical analysis of the effects of climate change and the global economic meltdown with a view to find sustainable solutions.
He said demand for exhibition space had been overwhelming with over 90 per cent of available space taken up by last week while 13 foreign countries had so far confirmed participation.
He further said the review of livestock movement from and in Southern Province by government in October 2008 would result in more cattle being exhibited this year.
And confirming President Banda’s officiating at the show, Mumbuluma said it is not strange not to have a foreign Head of State to grace the annual event.
“It is not strange for our President to open the show and it has happened in the history of this show society and this is not the first time because a few years ago, we expected President Kikwete to grace the event and we even printed his profile in the show catalogue magazine but he failed to show up and the former Burundese Lady Vice President, who happened to be part of a business delegation was requested to be guest of honour, so its not strange if a foreign Head of State does not officially open the show,” Mumbuluma said.
The Show Society has not changed entry charges, which still stand at K15, 000 per person for each of the five days of the show while the ban on the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor remains in force until 17:00 hours during the show./JC
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, PAUL MUMBULUMA, RUPIAH BANDA, ZAMBIA AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCIAL SHOW
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Harare Agricultural Show roars into life
Herald Reporter
THE 98th edition of the Harare Agricultural Show opens today under the theme "Let’s Unite the Nation — Grow Food with Determination". The show, which runs from today until Saturday, has attracted a large number of exhibitors, ranging from small-scale to large-scale farmers, and small enterprises and individuals to large corporates.
Show organisers have also set aside the Andy Millar Hall for charity organisations to showcase their work free of charge as part of their social responsibility programme.
There has been an increase in the number of exhibitors from 450 last year to 530 this year, prompting the show organisers to expand the number of stands.
Among this year’s exhibitors are Turnall, Barclays, Taisek Engineering, Zimpost, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimoco Limited, Cold Storage Company, Mono Pumps and Cottco.
Yesterday most exhibitors were putting the final touches to their stands in preparation for the opening today with farmers displaying their produce.
HAS public relations officer Ms Heather Madombwe said many of the exhibitors participating this year were unable to do so last year because of the high costs.
"People should expect a surprise guest later this week," she said.
Ms Madombwe said they would show movies every day after 6.30pm as part of this year’s entertainment line-up.
Ms Madombwe also urged parents and guardians to look after their children or ask them to carry their phone numbers in the event they got lost.
She said safety was a major concern because more than 100 children got lost during show week.
This year’s edition will provide farmers with a platform to exchange views on strategies to curb the decline in production and restore Zimbabwe’s status as Southern Africa’s breadbasket.
President Mugabe will officially open the show on Friday.
Adults will pay a $100 entry fee today, on Tuesday and Thursday while children will pay $50.
On Wednesday and Saturday, adults will pay $200 with children paying $50 while schoolchildren in uniform will be admitted free of charge.
"As part of our social responsibility programme, we are devoted to helping society by giving back what it gave us as has always been our norm," said Ms Madombwe.
She said 10 charity organisations would take part in this year’s event, among them Childline, HelpAge, Jairos Jiri, Spinal Injuries, St Giles and the National Aids Council.
Ms Madombwe said they would not ask for payment from the charity organisations but would provide them with a platform to mobilise funds from the public and corporate sector to help the needy.
"It is also our responsibility to help the poor, old people, orphans and the disabled," she said.
HelpAge director Mrs Priscilla Gavi said they appreciated the society’s gesture, as they would get to meet potential benefactors and discuss the challenges they were facing.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, HARARE
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15 international companies to exhibit at CMACS
By Kabanda Chulu
Thursday May 22, 2008 [04:00]
FIFTEEN international companies will this year exhibit at the Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show (CMACS) that takes place next week in Kitwe. And reflecting on his 20th year as chairman of the Copperbelt Show Society yesterday, CMACS president Bill Osborn said the institution was getting bigger and better. Osborn said the foreign exhibitors would mainly come from South Africa and some other parts of the world.
“In total we have over 100 confirmed exhibitors and 15 of these are international companies who normally deal in mining and other related equipment and they will come from South Africa … and we have had to bring in a marquee to house the overflow,” he said.
Osborn said the show society had made improvements to the small arena where various musical entertainment activities would take place.
He said the main arena would have the usual cultural dancing activities, horse jumping and selected sports activities such as football and boxing that would also be presented. And Osborn said the CMACS had now expanded to include various industries apart from agriculture.
The 2008 CMACS would take place from May 28 to June 1 and President Levy Mwanawasa is expected to officiate at the event whose theme is ‘Mining and Industry delivers while Agriculture develops and environment matters?’
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, CMACS, COPPERBELT PROVINCE
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What is the best farming system?
IN ecological systems, there are no simple answers because easy solutions are always unstable ones, but there is a better agricultural system that farmers should employ. Such systems evolve as our knowledge base increases and as technology develops. Attitudes also change and farmers are now more environmentally conscious than ever before, in line with community expectations.
But, evolving farming systems must be intensively monitored to measure performance and to make adjustments where undesirable trends are identified. As a result, promoting environmental friendly farming technologies is a welcome idea as it will help eradicate the dependence that farmers have on methods that harm the environment. Farmers should, therefore, try technologies such as organic production because it is one way to save and regenerate soils, thereby promoting environmental friendly crops.
With soaring food prices world over, the best thing farmers can do is save the source of life. It is particularly important for small-scale farmers to depend on subsistence agriculture to ensure that key ecosystem functions are maintained. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are the living basis for humanity’s well-being. Everyone in the world depends on nature and ecosystem services to provide the conditions for a healthy life.
Biodiversity benefits people through more than just its contribution to immediate material welfare and livelihoods, but also contributes to long-term security and resilience. Non-degraded ecosystems have shown to be more robust and protecting against natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly than any comparable period of time in human history. This has been done with a view to meeting rapidly growing demand for food, fresh water, timber and fuel.
To reduce poverty, the ecosystem functions which provide the needed services have to be maintained through more targeted biodiversity conservation.
Dr Kenneth Nkowani, director at the department of Environment and Natural Resources says “if we are to conserve biodiversity, it is important to relate it to the livelihood of the people of Zambia. At global level there are targets set for the year 2010.”
Dr Nkowani explains that the Zambian Government has translated the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) into Tonga and Lozi in Southern and Western provinces so that people understand the issue at hand. Biodiversity loss has immensely contributed to the below normal rainfall experienced in the two provinces.
“Over-grazing and bad farming methods that some farmers’ use has exacerbated the loss,” he reveals. He also says agro-ecological zones will shift due to climate change and issues of species, pests and plants may change if no proactive measures are taken.
“It is every Zambian’s responsibility to look after the resource if our livelihood is to be sustained, emphasises Dr Nkowani, adding that food production is directly related to biodiversity conservation.
He explains that biodiversity is important for today and generations to come and impact heavily on agriculture because it has a big link with food production, forestry, fisheries and mining.
Dr Nkowani also stresses the need for people to work hand in hand with the Government in order to achieve the 2010 biodiversity target, failure to which biodiversity loss will increase to the detriment of the nation.
He adds that it is also important for the Zambian Government to take action before 2035 and attach three per cent of the GDP towards activities which can safeguard ecosystem and biodiversity.
In a separate interview, Ignatius Makumba, acting chief of Natural Resources Management at the same department, says Zambia has done quite a lot in achieving the 2010 biodiversity target despite the numerous challenges.
“We are on track but you should realise that there are a lot of resources required in making sure that we achieve this target. As a country, we tried to put up certain activities in place which are contributing towards the achievement of the biodiversity target 2010,” says Makumba.
He further adds that his department has simplified the United Nations Convention on biodiversity, adding that they have also been implementing a project on the localisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Makumba also says people should not forget that the biodiversity 2010 target is related to the MDGs.
“We have gone a step further in the localisation of the MDGs in two districts, namely Chibombo and Mazabuka,” he reveals, adding that “we have brought the community on board to make them understand the meaning of MDGs.”
He explains that people have realised that environmental sustainability cuts across all MDGs and that this means without a sustained environment, it is impossible to achieve other MDGs.
“We are saying that biodiversity contributes to the livelihood of people. What this means is that if the environment is sustained, we will then be tackling MDG number one which talks about poverty alleviation,” narrates Makumba.
It is believed that where the environment is degraded, people will not be able to effectively contribute towards the achievement of the number two MDG which talks about universal primary education.
It is said that where the environment cannot provide the necessary services, children will spend time looking for firewood and do other house tasks, leaving less time for school.
“You will find that failure to achieve MDG number seven, which talks about environmental sustainability, will make it impossible for you to achieve MDG number two,” explains Makumba.
The challenge of reversing the degradation of ecosystems while meeting increasing demand for their services calls for significant changes in policies and attitude.
Therefore, Zambians, especially research institutes, agricultural companies and farmers should advocate for farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound as well as one that can build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world. — PALISAH.
For more information,
Write to the Editor
Palisah News Agency
P.O.BOX 33984
Tel: 237445
Lusaka.
Email: palisah@yahoo.co.uk
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION FARMIING, ORGANICS
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Exhibitors book all stands at C/belt agricultural show
By Correspondent
Monday April 14, 2008 [04:00]
ALL the stands at this year's Copperbelt Mining Agricultural and Commercial Show in Kitwe have been booked. Show society chairman Bill Osborn said in an interview in Kitwe that all the stands at this year's show had been booked and the show society was working hard to ensure a more interesting show this year.
Osborn said the show society would spend more than K250 million on various rehabilitation works in the show grounds and had already spent more than K40 million in the first phase for the water reticulation system.
Osborn said preparations for this year's show were going well and that he was happy that all the stands in the show ground had been booked, two months before the show opens to the public.
Osborn said water reticulation rehabilitation works were going on smoothly and was sure that this year's show would be excellent, although it will not have the cattle section.
"It is indeed an excellent development to have all the stands booked two months before the show opens to the general public. As regards our preparations, I must say we are firmly on course," he said.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW
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Farmers show interest in processing machines
Herald Reporter
MOST small-scale farmers who visited the week-long Harare Agricultural Show, which ends today,
showed remarkable interest in processing machines rather than heavy farming implements. The farmers said they were willing to buy machinery that would enable them to
add value to their products.
Manual machinery such as oil pressing machines, groundnut shellers and peanut butter making machines were some of the popular implements at the show. Ms Ringisai Pfimbi of Everquip Investments said a number of farmers visited her stand inquiring about the small machinery.
"Some farmers who are into poultry and livestock production were inquiring about the grinding machine which they would like to use to process stock feeds at their farms," she said.
Mrs Emmah Rimbi of Guruve said she was interested in buying ox-drawn ploughs, cultivators and harrows. She said while tractors would make her work easier she could not afford them or the diesel that is in short supply.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, AGRICULTURE, THE HERALD, ZIMBABWE
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Agric policies hailed
Herald Reporter
VISITING Equatorial Guinea President Mr Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has hailed Zimbabwe’s agricultural policies, saying the country has the potential to regain its status as an agricultural powerhouse. President Mbasogo said Zimbabwe’s agriculture has the capacity not only to benefit its citizens, but the whole continent. He said this while officially opening the Harare Agricultural Show yesterday.
Mr Mbasogo — who earlier in the day toured several stands together with President Mugabe — said he was impressed by the quality of products being showcased. He said from observing the quality of the agricultural produce and technology, one would get the impression that one was in a developed nation. This, he said, clearly showed that Zimbabwe had the potential to become Africa’s agro-industrial base.
"We, therefore, express and (wish to) convey our most sincere congratulations to the Government of Zimbabwe, the captains of production and all the technicians and operators committed to this production system. The outstanding great labour displayed is not only for the development of Zimbabwe, but for the benefit of the African continent as a whole," he said. "The success of Zimbabwe in this domain constitutes a reason of pride for her people and for all Africans."
President Mbasogo said his country had much to learn from Zimbabwe and would ensure that necessary contacts would be made with relevant authorities before imparting experiences obtained from Zimbabwe to his country.
"Equatorial Guinea would love to learn from Zimbabwe. This State visit to your country has given us the opportunity to establish the right and necessary contacts with the competent and relevant authorities in order to ensure that the experiences garnered here are transmitted to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea," he said.
He encouraged people in the agricultural sector to double their efforts to attain self-sufficiency in food supply. Developed nations, said Mr Mbasogo, were exercising dominance over Africans due to their production and supply capacity for agro-allied products.
"In fact, Europe is becoming more and more stronger as it keeps advancing in the development production techniques and industrialisation levels in the agro-allied sector while the African continent remains still . . . because of her constant need for the supply of consumable products," he said.
"For this reason, therefore, Africa should not remain indifferent in the face of this situation. Instead, it will have to be proactive in order not to depend indefinitely on other nations."
Earlier in the day, Mr Mbasogo toured several stands in the Exhibition Park, among them those of the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe, Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited, Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Grain Marketing Board, Cold Storage Company, Seed Co and the livestock section.
He later he presented certificates to companies and institutions that won in several categories.
Premier Medical Aid Society, represented by chief executive officer Mr Cuthbert Dube, won in three categories, namely the best floral garden display, best floral display and for companies offering voluntary services.
ZDF, represented by its commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, scooped the award for the best display by Government, municipal and statutory bodies.
GMB came first in the agricultural section.
Labels: AGRICULTURAL SHOW, AGRICULTURE, THE HERALD, ZIMBABWE
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