Con men swindle Lundazi farmers over fertiliser
By Peter Sukwa in Lundazi
Mon 20 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
LUNDAZI district commissioner Janet Mvula says about 4,000 farmers have been swindled out of their money by some con men who promised to give them fertiliser. In an interview in Lundazi, Mvula disclosed that the conmen collected some money from the farmers under the pretext that they would give them fertiliser which they did not do.
She explained that unscrupulous businessmen were going round registering farmers in the district that they were an organisation which wanted to assist farmers to purchase fertiliser.
Mvula said the conmen who were moving with a small national flag deceived farmers who thought they were from the government and trusted them to deliver inputs.
She said the farmers were made to pay K200 per group of ten.
Mvula further said the conmen promised to supply about 80 packs of fertiliser to the farmers.
She disclosed that the affected farmers were from Chikomeni, Mucheleka and other parts of the district.
"Yes, I received a report that conmen swindled some farmers here in the district out of an undisclosed amount of money and have since run away. These conmen were spread in other parts like Chipata and Petauke but they were networking with the Lundazi team. To make things worse, these people were moving with a national flag pretending to be government officers but farmers did not report the matter to my office not until they disappeared without supplying inputs," Mvula said.
She, however, said the farmers were to blame and that this should serve as a warning to them as they did not want to report the matter to the government early.
Mvula said there was need for farmers in the district to report anyone who came to do business in the district to her office to avoid being swindled.
And Mvula further disclosed that the district had received two truckloads of Urea fertiliser under the Farmer Input Support Programme two weeks ago.
She said the district had received a total of 57 metric tonnes of both D-compound and Urea fertiliser for the 2013/2014 farming season.
Mvula said all the fertiliser received had since been distributed.
Labels: CRIME, FERTILIZER
Read more...
TAZARA hauls over 12,000 tns of urea
By Gift Chanda
Mon 04 Nov. 2013, 14:00 CAT
TAZARA is in a position to haul the 25,000 metric tonnes urea fertiliser imported from Saudi Arabia to Zambia by mid November, says managing director Ronald Phiri.
Phiri said over 12,400 metric tonnes of fertiliser had so far been transported from the port of Dar es Salaam by TAZARA and Zambia Railways Limited in a joint haulage exercise for the urea imported by the Zambian government under the Farmer Input Support Programme for the 2013/14 farming season.
The exercise has seen the two railway firms jointly move 13 trains with 297 wagons out of which 237 wagons with over 9,015 metric tonnes already reaching the intended destinations along TAZARA at Mwenzo, Mpika and Serenje, while 60 wagons with 3,386 metric tonnes was still in transit.
"We are on course and have conveyed over 12,000 mt in just under three weeks," Phiri said.
"I believe that despite a few limitations here and there, we are in a position to clear the 25,000 metric tonnes by the middle of November 2013."
TAZARA is moving the consignment from Dar es Salaam to Chozi, where ZRL takes over and delivers to the intended destinations, where other transporters pick up the commodity for onward distribution to various parts of the country.
Labels: FERTILIZER, RONALD PHIRI, TAZARA
Read more...
Govt on target to meet fertiliser demand
By Stuart Lisulo
Tue 27 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE GOVERNMENT is on target to meet fertiliser demand across the country before the September 30 deadline, according to official figures.
Figures from the Farmer Input Support Programme for the week ending August 16, 2013 have revealed that from the cumulative bulk of 60,956 tonnes secured, 26,641 tonnes have been dispatched to districts across the country, achieving a percentage ratio of 38 per cent in terms of distribution.
Agriculture minister Robert Sichinga said these figures suggest an achievement on the part of the government.
It has never happened before. From 26th June to 16th August, that is how far we have gone. My target is September 30 and we would have finished distributing the fertiliser that we have produced. This is a success story, Sichinga said.
He said if the rains were to come in October, most of the people would have received their fertiliser.
In terms of securing the cumulative bulk of fertiliser of which government's target was 70,000 tonnes, Sichinga said he government would have secured the remaining 9,044 tonnes by this month-end.
So far we have 86 per cent (of the cumulative bulk), with 14 per cent to go, he said.
And regarding the current status of tenders for the supply of top dressing fertilisers, Sichinga confirmed that his ministry was still working on the issue.
We want it to be done properly. What I don't want is this issue of corruption being involved in the tender bid process, he said.
Sichinga also reiterated the government's commitment and seriousness in taking down all existing cartels within the agriculture sector.
Labels: FERTILIZER, FISP
Read more...
Siavonga chief hails govt's timely distribution of inputs
By Steve Mwiinga in Siavonga
Sun 07 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
A TRADITIONAL leader in Siavonga district has commended the government for the early distribution of inputs for this year's farming season.
Chief Sinadambwe said that the early delivery of farming inputs would assist farmers produce more food as compared to the last farming season especially in Southern Province.
He said the government had revealed its seriousness in trying to improve food production in the country.
Chief Sinadambwe noted that the process of delivering agricultural inputs late contributed to poor yields, hence the need to deliver the inputs on time in order to have a more improved food security next year.
He said he did not know how his subjects were going to buy the inputs because the poor yield experienced last farming season had resulted in not having enough income.
Chief Sinadambwe said when the inputs were delivered in the rainy season, they usually go to waste because of the bad roads and streams especially in rural areas.
He has since urged the government to expedite the distribution process before the onset of the rainy season.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, CHIEF SINADAMBWE, CHIEFS, FERTILIZER
Read more...
Choma receives 200 bags of fertiliser for wetland farming
By Ben Mbangu in Choma
Thu 04 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
CHOMA district has received 200 bags of both top and basal dressing fertiliser under the food security pack meant for the vulnerable but viable people practicing wetland farming.
District commissioner Golden Nyambe confirmed the development adding that the government would endeavour to use all possible means to address the challenges the vulnerable in society face by empowering them to eradicate the high levels of poverty they had been subjected to since independence.
Nyambe disclosed that the district had also received 100 bags of five kilogrammes seed to be shared among the beneficiaries for the 2013/2014 wetland farming season.
He said the PF government was committed to ensuring that farming was encouraged and improved in the country, hence its timely support to the vulnerable groups in society.
And Choma district acting community development officer Esther Siyumbwa and assistant community development officer Mumbula Mwiya, who were on hand to receive the fertiliser and seed, said farmers would each get two bags of fertiliser and five kilogramme bags of seed.
Siyumbwa said some of those to benefit were female headed, terminally ill-headed, and disabled-headed households.
"Others are the widow-headed households, child-headed and unemployed youth-headed households," she said.
She named the areas to benefit from the programme and the number of beneficiaries as Manguunza, 40 , Chipande, 20, Popota, 10, Batoka, 20 while Sibanyati would receive 10.
Meanwhile, Mwiya urged the would-be beneficiaries to use the fertiliser for the intended purpose so as to uplift their standard of living and be able to help others in future.
He advised them not to lose the privilege the government had accorded them of boosting their agriculture ambitions, hence the need for them to put much effort in order to succeed.
"As an office entrusted to spearhead this programme, we will be very disappointed to hear that a beneficiary has sold either fertiliser or seed," said Mwiya.
Labels: CHOMA, FERTILIZER, FISP, GOLDEN NYAMBE
Read more...
NCZ ready to take up basal dressing batch under FISP
By Gift Chanda in Kafue
Fri 01 Mar. 2013, 09:40 CAT
NCZ says it is ready to take-up the whole Basal Dressing fertiliser consignment under FISP this year to address the chaotic input supply by private firms.
And the government says Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) could surpass local demand for basal dressing once it romps up annul output to277,000 metric tonnes.
Speaking after Ministry of Finance officials led by secretary to the treasury Fredson Yamba toured the plant in Kafue on Wednesday, NCZ interim chief executive officer Zuze Banda assured that the plant currently had the capacity to meet D compound fertiliser needed under the Farmer Input Supply Programme .
Banda said if the company was given a consignment to produced about 150,000 tonnes of D compound fertiliser needed under FISP, it could complete the consignment by October.
"If the government diverted those funds that are usually given to the private sector under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and channel it to NCZ, we are ready to produce to carter for this coming season," Banda said.
He urged the government to go that route as one way to address the chaotic input supply.
Banda said NCZ would commence fertiliser production next month following the completion of rehabilitation works on part of the plant.
He said the firm was looking at producing about 15,000 tonnes by the end of next month.
And Yamba, who was impressed with rehabilitation works at NCZ following government injection of KR25 million recently, said the firm could earn the treasury enough revenue once it starts exporting fertiliser.
NCZ currently has capacity to produce 142,000 metric tonnes per year but plans to increase output to 277,000 metric tonnes.
"What I have seen here is testimony that this company is able to run on its own, create jobs and earn the country revenue," he said.
"The government will ensure that this plant is up and running. We the government will make sure that it makes funds available where necessary but at the rate you are going you should be able to become self-sufficient."
Yamba was particularly impressed with the way the firms was
efficiently utilising the KR25 million capital injection.
He said the firm had not spent the money buying luxury vehicles and refurbishing offices like most firms do when they receive money from the government.
"Instead, they have focused on rehabilitating the plant which shows that they have the firm at heart," h said.
"We have learnt that NCZ has only KR4 million out of the KR25 million it was given. And it is using local expertise to work on the plant and most of the materials are being sourced locally. This is commendable."
He said it was high time people started having confidence in local expertise as not only a cost saving measure but as a way of creating employment.
According to data obtained from the company, NCZ currently has a workforce of 480 permanent employees and around 500 casual workers.
An additional 1,600 employees is expected once the plant fully resumes operations.
Labels: FERTILIZER, FISP, NCZ
Read more...
Replace leached nitrogen with side-dressing, tobacco farmers told
Saturday, 26 January 2013 00:00
Senior Agriculture Reporter
THE Tobacco Research Board yesterday encouraged tobacco farmers to replace leached nitrogen with additional side-dressing without delay once they noticed symptoms of leaching in their crop.
Head of Crop Productivity Services Division, Dr Dzingai Rukuni said it may not be possible to be precise on the amount of nitrogen lost and the amount to be applied because soil textures differ while other factors like the amount of moisture in the soil, permeability of the soil, slope of the land and the amount of nitrogen initially applied must be considered as well.
“It is, however, logical to apply 75kg of ammonium nitrate per hectare using Cup Number 5 per plant or 150kg of calcium nitrate per hectare or use Cup Number 8 per plant, which should be sufficient although deep coarse-grained soils may require more,” Dr Rukuni said.
Dr Rukuni said for December, plantings as much as 300kg per hectare of ammonium nitrate could be added in four applications of 150kg per hectare using Cup Number 8 per plant at weekly intervals.
He, however, said the current growing season had so far been very favourable for tobacco.
The season started late and subsequent to that, most growing regions received incessant rains over a number of weeks, he said.
“Excessive rains within a short period result in leaching of nutrients, particularly nitrogen.
“If leaching rains occur in early growth, the nitrogen can be leached to below the root zone resulting in pale and yellowed plants,” said Dr Rukuni.
Recently, TRB head of field services, Mr Ezekia Svotwa warned that persistent rains would cause heavy leaching of nutrients.
This will present tobacco farmers with other challenges such as heavy weed infestation that would mean extra costs for labour or herbicides.
“Some of the tobacco that is in water logging soils has already started wilting and dying as the roots rot easily in water,” said Mr Svotwa.
“Tobacco cannot tolerate spending a period of 48 hours in water so this means that those farmers in soils prone to water logging will suffer heavy losses.
“I noticed that in the Nyabira area some farmers’ tobacco fields were water logged.”
He said farmers needed to make a lot of technical interventions to save their crop and would have to buy more fertilisers to apply again and replenish the nutrients lost to leaching.
“The rains are washing away most of the nutrients vital for plant growth leaving the leaves yellowing and losing their quality in the process.
“Plants also grow fast and need more suckerides for the control of suckers.
“There is also a high weed establishment rate while ridges designed to promote good drainage may also be destroyed creating more work for the farmers,” he said.
Labels: FERTILIZER, TOBACCO
Read more...
No fertiliser for winter wheat farmers
Saturday, 26 May 2012 22:07
Faith Mhandu
Government and fertiliser companies are at loggerheads over a US$50 million debt, a development that has seen winter wheat farmers failing to access the critical input. Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made last week accused the fertiliser companies of holding Government to ransom.
“I have just been informed by the Grain Marketing Board that fertiliser companies are refusing to deliver the fertiliser we ordered.
“Admittedly, we owe them some money, but this is a clear case of sabotage by detractors of the land reform programme.
“Right now, we are being accused of poor planning, yet we had our scheme on time. The Minister of Industry and Commerce (Professor Welshman Ncube) does not allow me to have dialogue with the fertiliser companies, saying I will be interfering with his duties,” he said.
Dr Made said although Government owns a 50 percent stake in the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC), its efforts were being frustrated by other shareholders.
“The three fertiliser companies — ZFC, Windmill and Myiombo — have pushed me to the edge and I am left with no option but to propose that we set up a Zimbabwe National Fertiliser Authority that is 100 percent owned by Government. For the winter inputs we no longer have an option but to import the fertiliser,” he said.
Fertiliser company representatives argue that they cannot continue supplying Government when it has failed to service its debt.
ZFC marketing executive Mr Justice Chimuka noted that his company is yet to renew its agreement with Government and will only do so after the State pays the US$10 million it owes the company.
“We have the fertiliser in stock and are willing to supply if Government pays us what it owes from last season,” he said.
Windmill marketing executive Mr Herbert Chakanyuka disclosed that the Government and the fertiliser companies were also failing to agree on the pricing of the input for this season.
“Government is offering to pay US$500 per tonne but we feel that US$600 is the correct price. A price of US$500 per tonne will push us out of business,” said Mr Chakanyuka.
Government last month launched the US$20 million winter wheat input scheme.
However, the programme has not yielded much with most farmers missing the May 15 winter wheat planting deadline.
Labels: FERTILIZER, WHEAT
Read more...
Governmentt can't afford to revamp NCZ - Chenda
By Henry Sinyangwe
Thu 19 Apr. 2012, 13:00 CAT
AGRICULTURE minister Emmanuel Chenda says the government cannot afford to revamp operations of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia because the undertaking is very expensive.
During his tour of the fertiliser production plant in Kafue on Tuesday, Chenda said the government could not manage to run the plant as the cost of revamping it to its 132,000 tonnes production potential was above the K1.6 trillion budget for the whole ministry.
‘'Our total budget as a ministry is K1.6 trillion and revamping this plant would chew up the whole budget, so the ultimate solution as government is to privatise this plant as soon as we find a suitable investor," he said.
Chenda's remarks followed NCZ chief executive officer Richard Soko's call on the government to assist with K25 billion to revamp the Ammonium Nitrate plant as it had ready market from Africa Explosives and also rehabilitation of the whole plant at the cost of US $40 million to improve its operations.
And Chenda also said farming inputs would be delivered before the commencement of the 2012/2013 farming season.
He said this would be done through early completion of the tendering process so that the selected bidders could begin early.
Chenda said the government was redesigning the Farmer Input Support Programme to make sure the inputs reach the intended farmers and not individuals that did not need government's support.
"The process had been hijacked FISP but now we want to be on top of things; so we are putting in measures to ensure that the inputs are delivered to the intended farmers and not people that made the who process corrupt and benefited the wrong individuals,'' he said.
Chenda also said the government would consider NCZ's request to increase the production tonnage from 30,000 to 70,000 metric tonnes.
The Zambia Public Procurement Authority, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has invited bids for the supply of 64,028,50 metric tonnes of basal dressing and 89,605,20 metric tonnes of top dressing.
Labels: FERTILIZER, NCZ
Read more...
Government lost K3 trillion through maize marketing and fertiliser subsidies-Guy Scott
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, February 9, 2012, 4:53 am
Vice President GUY SCOTT has said that government lost three trillion kwacha through scams under the maize marketing and fertiliser subsidies last farming season. Dr. SCOTT, who is also PF party Vice President, said that the money, which government lost could have been enough to provide free education for many Zambians from grade one to twelve.
The Vice President was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Msanzala constituency in Petauke District in the Eastern Province shortly before he left for Lusaka.
Dr. SCOTT explained that the money that has been lost is much more than the budget for health, military and the Zambia Police Service.
He further explained that the Food Reserve Agency-FRA staff have been taking out Tarpaulins so that the maize can go to waste.
Dr. SCOTT said the FRA staff have been puling out tarpaulins so that the money they steal can not be audited.
And Dr SCOTT said that government will prioritise infrastructure development in rural areas.
Dr. SCOTT said that because most roads in rural areas are impassible and people travel long distances to access health facilities and schools.
The vice president also urged Zambians of Asian origin to be more involved in the country’s economy. Dr. SCOTT who is also PF party vice president says Zambians of Asian origin have been very useful, but that they need to increase their participation.
The vice president was speaking last night when he met the business community in Petauke, the Eastern province.
Dr Scott said government is happy that the Asian community is providing employment to Zambians and assured them that their investment is safe.
He explained that people who thought PF was radical towards investments from the Asian community have been proved wrong.
Agriculture EMMANUEL CHENDA said the PF government has an open door policy and is inclusive.
AND proprieter of GOOD LUCK bakery RIZWAAN PATEL said the business community in Petauke is happy with the positive step that the govenment has taken.
And proprieter of Petauke Bargain centre RASHID LULAT urged the PF government to seriously look at the way the constituency development fund is being used.
Dr. SCOTT has described his three-day campaign trail in Petauke District as sucessful.
The Vice President wound up his campaign Wednesday after he held two public rallies at Sandwe and Chiwale Basic Schools.
He was in Petauke District to drum up support for PF Msanzala candidate Colonel Joseph Lungu.
The MMD is fielding Peter Daka, Shadrick Banda is standing on the the UNIP ticket and Usuman Maumba is contesting the seat as an independent candidate.
The seat fell vacant after Colonel JOSEPH LUNGU resigned and joined the Patriotic Front party.
The Msanzala parliamentary by-election takes place on 16th February, next week.
ZNBC
Labels: CORRUPTION, FERTILIZER, FISP, GUY SCOTT
Read more...
Over 13 000t fertiliser, 1 000t seed distributed to farmers: GMB
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 00:00
Herald Reporter
THE Grain Marketing Board has distributed to farmers 1 164 tonnes of seed, 5 554 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 7 737 tonnes of compound D fertilisers since last week. This is being done under the Input Loan Scheme, which is an amalgamation of three Government input schemes designed to ensure that farmers access inputs in time.
The three schemes are the US$30 million inputs facility swap programme, US$45,4 million subsidised programme and the US$56,2 million agricultural commercial funding programme.
In a statement yesterday, GMB general manager Mr Albert Mandizha said some suppliers contracted by Government were yet to deliver the inputs.
"A total of 33 320 tonnes of compound D, 26 487 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 4 668 tonnes of seed have not yet been delivered by the contracted farmers," he said. "Farmers will be advised as and when these deliveries are made to the GMB so that they collect the inputs."
Mr Mandizha said GMB was monitoring the distribution of inputs to ensure accountability and making sure that all farmers access them. "Due to limited quantities of inputs at GMB depots, our depot managers resorted to rationalise the allocation to ensure that more farmers benefit from the loan scheme," he said. "At some depots, managers took the initiative to engage local leadership to assist in order to achieve fairness in distribution."
He said they had visited 11 depots coun-trywide to assess the distribution process while eight other depots were being audited to ensure corporate governance issues were being observed.
Mr Mandizha said all GMB depots were open during the festive holidays to enable farmers to access the inputs.
He dismissed some media reports that GMB opened during the public holidays to favour certain farmers.
"The intention was not malicious as now being purported by some sections of the media, rather the crack response was to enable farmers to take advantage of the wet spell and utilise that as a planting window," he said.
Under the Input Loan Scheme, communal farmers should get at least 25kg of maize seed, 200kg of basal fertiliser and 100kg of top dressing while A1 farmers are entitled to 50kg of maize seed, 400kg and 200kg of top dressing fertiliser. A2 farmers are getting inputs enough to cover 100 hectares.
Labels: FERTILIZER, GRAIN MARKETING BOARD ZIMBABWE
Read more...
Fertiliser shortage hits Zim
Monday, 30 January 2012 00:00
[Zimbabwe Farmers Union] AN acute shortage of top dressing fertiliser (Ammonium Nitrate) has hit the market, threatening crop yield. The fertiliser is only available on the informal market where it is being sold at prohibitive prices.
Early this month, Government turned down an appeal by fertiliser producers who sought to export the commodity, saying domestic demand had to be met first. Spokesperson for the fertiliser industry, who is also Chemplex Corporation chief executive, Mr Misheck Kachere, last Friday said operational challenges had affected production.
"It is true that there is a shortage of AN fertiliser on the market at the moment and it is due to the liquidity challenges in the economy.
"We cannot buy raw materials and pay utility bills, especially to Zesa," he said.
"In the past three months we lost about 15 000 tonnes of production due to disruptions." Mr Kachere said between four and five thousand tonnes of fertiliser were on the market.
He said firms were trying to mitigate shortages by importing the commodity although financial constraints sometimes forced them to cancel orders.
"There are stocks of between six to seven thousand tonnes as we speak at the Beira port, but we can only get them once we pay the money.
"We need about US$4 million to get the consignment on that ship and we are busy looking for that money."
Zimbabwe Farmers Union operations manager Ms Theresa Makomva said: "Farmers are complaining that they cannot access AN on the market.
"It is only being found on the informal market where prices are outrageous.
Government should intervene as a matter of urgency. If we do not get fertiliser in the next few weeks we are definitely going to miss the projected crop output."
The agriculture sector is on the recovery path following years of contraction, but real growth has been blighted by liquidity challenges and unreliable rainfall patterns.
Although there was little activity at some informal fertiliser dealers at Mbare Musika, those selling the commodity were demanding US$35 per bag instead of the recommended price of between US$29 and US$30.
All the dealers refused to disclose where they were getting the fertiliser.
However, there are claims that those receiving subsidised fertiliser end up selling it on the informal market.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made could not be reached for comment. - New Ziana/Herald Reporter.
Labels: FERTILIZER
Read more...
Over 13 000t fertiliser, 1 000t seed distributed to farmers: GMB
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 00:00
Herald Reporter
THE Grain Marketing Board has distributed to farmers 1 164 tonnes of seed, 5 554 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 7 737 tonnes of compound D fertilisers since last week. This is being done under the Input Loan Scheme, which is an amalgamation of three Government input schemes designed to ensure that farmers access inputs in time.
The three schemes are the US$30 million inputs facility swap programme, US$45,4 million subsidised programme and the US$56,2 million agricultural commercial funding programme.
In a statement yesterday, GMB general manager Mr Albert Mandizha said some suppliers contracted by Government were yet to deliver the inputs.
"A total of 33 320 tonnes of compound D, 26 487 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 4 668 tonnes of seed have not yet been delivered by the contracted farmers," he said. "Farmers will be advised as and when these deliveries are made to the GMB so that they collect the inputs."
Mr Mandizha said GMB was monitoring the distribution of inputs to ensure accountability and making sure that all farmers access them.
"Due to limited quantities of inputs at GMB depots, our depot managers resorted to rationalise the allocation to ensure that more farmers benefit from the loan scheme," he said.
"At some depots, managers took the initiative to engage local leadership to assist in order to achieve fairness in distribution."
He said they had visited 11 depots coun-trywide to assess the distribution process while eight other depots were being audited to ensure corporate governance issues were being observed.
Mr Mandizha said all GMB depots were open during the festive holidays to enable farmers to access the inputs.
He dismissed some media reports that GMB opened during the public holidays to favour certain farmers.
"The intention was not malicious as now being purported by some sections of the media, rather the crack response was to enable farmers to take advantage of the wet spell and utilise that as a planting window," he said.
Under the Input Loan Scheme, communal farmers should get at least 25kg of maize seed, 200kg of basal fertiliser and 100kg of top dressing while A1 farmers are entitled to 50kg of maize seed, 400kg and 200kg of top dressing fertiliser. A2 farmers are getting inputs enough to cover 100 hectares.
Labels: FERTILIZER, GRAIN MARKETING BOARD ZIMBABWE
Read more...
Farmers didn't receive enough fertiliser, says Mpezeni
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 03 Jan. 2012, 13:45 CAT
PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni says the 2011/2012 farming season will not be good because farmers did not receive enough fertiliser. And Luangeni independent parliamentarian Charles Zulu says the government still has a lot of work to do to develop the country.
In an interview with journalists who accompanied Zulu who was on a tour of the constituency on Saturday, Mpezeni said the fertiliser issue was a big programme.
"People did not receive enough fertiliser; others were getting two packs, others were getting one and they are also being made to share these packs. Sometimes they even share one bag. So this is the problem that we have encountered," Mpezeni said.
He said the chiefs were facing problems from their subjects because of the fertiliser problems.
He also said 2011 had ended very well. "Uku kumapeto ndiye kwa naona kuti chawama wama chaka ichi (I have seen that this year 2011 has been good towards the end). I don't think the beginning or the middle of the year was good because you saw even yourselves that this road (Feni) was not good. But this time you even speed on the same road because it has been worked on during the three months the new President has been in office," Mpezeni said.
He also commended President Michael Sata for reconciling with his Malawian counterpart Bingu wa Mutharika after differences that emanated from Sata's deportation from Malawi in 2007.
"When two elephants are fighting, the grass always suffers so if they were not in good terms it means us the people are the ones that were suffering. What they have done is good because Malawians and Zambians are one people. I have over 16 Ngoni chiefs in Malawi, so if they are in problems, it means I am also in problems," Mpezeni said.
He appealed to the government to construct more schools, hospitals and roads this year.
And Zulu who is also lands, energy and water development deputy minister said he was hopeful that the government would manage to develop the country.
He said he was glad that the government was working on a number of the projects in Luangeni and other parts of the country.
"You have seen that the electrification of Katandala clinic has started, the water affairs department would also work on the Feni dam. You have seen that government has electrified Kanyanja health post. So these are some of the projects that are being undertaken but we hope to do the best for this country," Zulu said.
He urged Zambians to change their negative attitude towards work to develop the country.
Acting Eastern Province Zesco manager Webby Kabinga said the electrification of Katandala clinic would cost K46 million and that it would be completed in the next three weeks.
Labels: CHIEF MPEZENI, FERTILIZER, FISP
Read more...
COMMENT - Why would anyone need to ask the president to rename a basic school? I think decentralisation is in order.
FISP must be revisited - freedom fighter
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Wed 05 Oct. 2011, 09:40 CAT
THE Farmer Input Support Programme must be revisited as only rich people are benefiting from the initiative, says a freedom fighter. In an interview, Million Sichenge Siamakumba, who is Southern Province Freedom and Democracy Fighters Association coordinator, has appealed to the government to always include a freedom fighter wherever there was a fertiliser programme.
"We appeal to the government to look at the issue of the old people especially in the rural areas, a lot of peasant farmers have not benefited from the Farmer Input Support Programme because it only benefiting the rich," Siamakumba said.
He said there was need for the government to provide agricultural extension officers to areas such as Namuswa, Singani and Siakabole as it was becoming difficult to know who was benefiting from the subsidised farming inputs.
Siamakumba further praised President Michael Sata for renaming three international airports after Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe.
"We, however, want him to also re-name Masuku Basic School at which the late Harry Mwanga Nkumbula taught in 1938 before he resigned to join politics. Looking at Choma as a birth place of politics, we also appeal to the President to tar the Choma-Masuku road," said Siamakumba.
Labels: FERTILIZER, FISP
Read more...
‘Zim has enough fertilisers’
Thursday, 07 April 2011 20:49
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe has enough stocks of fertilisers for the winter wheat season and producers have called on Government to clarify funding mechanisms to ensure farmers access inputs in time.
The managing director of the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company, Mr Richard Dafana, made these remarks yesterday during a tour of Zimbabwe Phosphate Industries' plant in Harare by the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Water Lands and Resettlement.
"In discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, the projection is that they (farmers) will do 45 000 hectares of wheat and barley and as an industry we have stocks of fertiliser to do more than that," he said.
Mr Dafana said his company had 12 000 tonnes of compound and 8 000 tonnes of top-dressing fertilisers. He said they expected to produce a further 16 000 tonnes of compound and 10 000 tonnes of top-dressing fertilisers by the end of May. Another manufacturer, Windmill, also has similar amounts in stock.
"The problem now is that the financing mechanisms for farmers are not there. While Government says they will go into the market nothing has been done yet and we do not want to do the last minute rush.
"The Ministry of Agriculture said there would be US$10 million but the disbursement modalities are not clear yet. We would want all the inputs to be at the door of the farmer by the beginning of May," he said. Mr Dafana said they were already looking at plans for the summer cropping season. Mr Misheck Kachere, the chief executive of Chemplex - the holding company of Zimphos, ZFC and Sable Chemicals - said he had been assured that there was enough fertiliser.
He said it was imperative that schemes like the one introduced by President Mugabe - Well-Wisher's Inputs initiative - be introduced to assist farmers.
Mr Kachere said Government should ensure farmers are paid fairly for their produce as this had an effect on demand for agricultural inputs.
He said they were currently operating at 35 percent of capacity but hoped to increase to 60 percent by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the General Laws Amendment Bill sailed through the House of Assembly yesterday.
Labels: FERTILIZER, ZIMBABWE PHOSPHORUS INDUSTRIES
Read more...
COMMENT - These large, top-down programs are favored by the ruling party, because they offer a lot of opportunity for corruption. This is another reason why 50% of national revenues should go straight to local government. At the local level, people can keep a very close eye on who is being dishonest, and vote them out.
Subsidizing the rich
By The Post
Sun 13 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
The government subsidised Farmer Input Support Programme has lamentably failed in its fundamentals and practice for most of its existence since introduction over eight years ago.
This initiative which is intended to provide subsidized farming inputs to our poor and vulnerable farmers has turned into a political tool for those in control of government resources.
It cannot be denied that agriculture is a vital component in our country’s economic development. Agriculture plays a very critical role in reducing rural poverty and bridging the gap of underdevelopment among the rural dwellers. Although Zambia has a relatively high urban population, almost half of it today relies on agriculture for its livelihood.
The provision of inputs at a subsided fee to our poor and vulnerable farmers, re-introduced by Levy Mwanawasa, has undoubtedly contributed to improving the maize production after the sector was run down by the reckless economic policies of extreme liberalisation toiled under the destructive 10-year rule of Frederick Chiluba.
But there is no doubt that this Farmer Input Support Programme which is supposed to be an economic activity has sadly been abused or mismanaged by politicians and those seeking patronage and turned into a political tool for their election campaigns, and in some cases a vehicle for stealing public funds.
The avenue of sourcing this government-subsidised fertiliser and reaching it to the intended farmer is faced with a lot of abuse, corruption and leakages. And in this election year things will be worse – it will be nothing but a campaign tool; fertiliser bought with taxpayers’ money will be exchanged for votes.
It’s not too long ago when this government of Rupiah Banda publicly announced that all the intended farmers were to get the fertiliser for this farming season way before they start their farming activities. However, this is contrary to what is happening on the ground. Widespread reports in most productive parts of our country indicate that several farmers have not received all the inputs for this season.
Most of our poor and vulnerable farmers have not received top dressing fertiliser. From the little agricultural knowledge we have, we know that top dressing fertiliser is what gives farmers the cob. But in the absence of this, we wonder how our people will produce a bumper harvest which Rupiah and those that surround him have already started preaching about.
Rupiah and his minions must not forget that issues of agriculture are not to be trivialised. We say this because agriculture is at the centre of our people’s livelihood and meets our country’s food needs.
It is said that you may fool some people some time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. And this is exactly what Rupiah and those that surround him must bear in mind. Using the distribution of subsidised fertiliser as their campaign tool will not do. Cheap propaganda and politicking on their part will not help solve the problems that many of our people in rural areas face; it will not put food on the table for the majority poor of our people.
The fertiliser subsidy programme, then Fertiliser Support Programme, was launched in 2002 to enable about 150,000 small-scale farmers to access fertiliser at half price. The number of beneficiaries was later raised to 200,000 and the subsidy increased to cover 75 per cent of the cost of fertiliser. The number has further risen to cover about 500,000 small-scale farmers across the country. This, however, is not serving the purpose. We know very well that most of our poor farmers find it very difficult to access these subsidised inputs. Most of it finds its way onto the black market, disadvantaging the poorest of our people.
It cannot be denied that small-scale farmers play an important role in both Zambia’s agricultural output and the nation’s food security. Although there are no official figures of the number of small-scale farmers, they are estimated at about one million. Even those who have only a small piece of land are expected to provide sustenance not just to their immediate families, but also extended ones. The biggest problem with the Farmer Input Support Programme seems to be not in the concept but the execution. The way the Farmer Input Support Programme is being administered using all sorts of co-operatives across the country means that the system is open to abuse and inputs often do not reach the intended beneficiaries or are delivered late, thereby delaying planting. The whole system is tainted with corruption, right from the procurement of the inputs by those companies selected to execute the purchasing process to the delivery of the products to our farmers through the mushrooming co-operatives. We know that many of these bogus co-operatives then sell the inputs at full price to commercial farmers and sometimes export them outside the country. As long as this government does not change the operational framework and policy of this subsidy programme without completely disrupting this support to small-scale farmers, the initiative will still be prone to massive abuse and corruption.
This government also needs to seriously review the awarding of contracts to suppliers of the farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme. In a study of fertiliser subsidies and sustainable growth in Malawi, Zambia and Kenya, researchers assert that if subsidy programmes are implemented, they should be designed in ways that involve the full range of private importers, wholesalers and retailers. The researchers noted that, “providing tenders to two or three firms can entrench their position in the market, cause other firms to cease making investments in the system or drop out altogether, leading to a more concentrated input marketing system and restricted competition when the input subsidy programme comes to an end”.
Indeed, support to small farmers is vital if poverty-reducing goals outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan are to be met. Without supporting them, few poor farmers would have access to fertiliser while Zambia’s overall maize output could drop significantly because small farmers are a major contributor to national maize production.
But the question is how to ensure more of our poor and vulnerable farmers benefit from the programme. Looking at less corruptible alternatives like a voucher system is one option as suggested by a number of agriculturalists. But since this government sees the current system as a useful political instrument, it will be difficult for it to make any meaningful changes to the programme for the benefit of our poor and vulnerable farmers.
Labels: CORRUPTION, FERTILIZER, FISP
Read more...
Solwezi farmers demand refund for undelivered fertiliser
By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Tue 08 Mar. 2011, 03:59 CAT
SOME farmers in Solwezi are demanding refunds from Nyiombo Investments for the non-delivery of fertiliser. The farmers in the district have not yet received their fertiliser for the 2010-2011 farming season.
In an interview, representative of the affected farmers John Kabaso said they had not received the fertiliser despite paying money to their cooperatives.
They complained that most of their maize had gone to waste because of a lack of fertiliser.
“We are afraid that there will be food insecurity in the area because our maize has gone to waste. It is not possible to save the crops now,” Kabaso said.
He said the farmers have asked their cooperatives to request for refunds from Nyiombo so that they could use the money on other income generating ventures.
Kabaso said they were disappointed with Nyiombo Investments for not delivering fertilisers on time because they were geared to produce enough maize for the district.
He appealed to the government to ensure they contracted capable firms to deliver farmers' inputs so that food security was achieved throughout the country.
“As small-scale farmers we are disappointed because we saw a bumper harvest coming from Solwezi but all that has been hampered by the failure to deliver fertiliser. In future government should ensure that they award contracts to capable organisations who can meet the demand,” said Kabaso.
Government had contracted Nyiombo Investments and Omnia to deliver fertiliser to small scale farmers in the country for the 2010/2011 farming season.
But several farmers across the country have complained of not having received fertiliser for this farming season. Nyiombo has not given its official position on the matter yet as efforts to get a comment from senior management have proved futile.
Labels: FERTILIZER, FISP, SOLWEZI COUNCIL
Read more...
Fertiliser shortage hits Northern, Southern districts
By Joseph Mwenda
Mon 07 Feb. 2011, 04:00 CAT
TOP dressing fertiliser is in short supply in Mkushi, Serenje and other parts of Northern and Southern provinces, triggering increased prices for the commodity.
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) says it has received increased complaints from commercial and other unionised farmers over the shortage of both urea and basal fertiliser.
According to ZNFU, urea and basal fertiliser is now fetching K210,000 and K230,000 on the market respectively, from K180,000 and K210,000 per bag in December 2010 and January this year.
“Fertiliser shortages have continued affecting a number of farming districts. In Mkushi and Serenje, the deficit supply situation has resulted in rising prices for both urea and basal fertilisers,” said the farmers union.
It said the situation was worse in Northern Province, especially in Mpulungu, Mungwi, Mbala, Kasama and Mporokoso.
“Our members in Luwingu, Chinsali, Isoka and Nakonde have also called our offices to complain of the fertiliser shortage while similar complaints have also been received from other farming districts like Mazabuka in Southern Province,” it said.
ZNFU said the situation was worrying especially that the right time for applying the input was quickly running out.
Labels: FERTILIZER
Read more...
Fertiliser shortage hits Northern, Southern districts
By Joseph Mwenda
Mon 07 Feb. 2011, 04:00 CAT
TOP dressing fertiliser is in short supply in Mkushi, Serenje and other parts of Northern and Southern provinces, triggering increased prices for the commodity.
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) says it has received increased complaints from commercial and other unionised farmers over the shortage of both urea and basal fertiliser.
According to ZNFU, urea and basal fertiliser is now fetching K210,000 and K230,000 on the market respectively, from K180,000 and K210,000 per bag in December 2010 and January this year.
“Fertiliser shortages have continued affecting a number of farming districts. In Mkushi and Serenje, the deficit supply situation has resulted in rising prices for both urea and basal fertilisers,” said the farmers union.
It said the situation was worse in Northern Province, especially in Mpulungu, Mungwi, Mbala, Kasama and Mporokoso.
“Our members in Luwingu, Chinsali, Isoka and Nakonde have also called our offices to complain of the fertiliser shortage while similar complaints have also been received from other farming districts like Mazabuka in Southern Province,” it said.
ZNFU said the situation was worrying especially that the right time for applying the input was quickly running out.
Labels: FERTILIZER
Read more...
