. Dr Scott

OVER the years, the agricultural sector has continued to record positive transformation and positioning itself as a major contributor of registering national growth.
The sector’s population of farmers now stands at 1.6 million for those in small-scale farming and 1,000 in large-scale farming and accounting for 70 per cent of the country’s workforce.
Despite the agricultural sector showing immerse potential, various challenges continue to strain the realisation of its full potential.
The challenges range from the availability of inputs to market access and finance as well as the lack of modern agricultural equipment.
However, stakeholders like the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) and others have come up with various initiatives to ensure the sector remains vibrant.
An insight of such measures is the partnership with the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) aimed at supplementing the Government’s efforts to boost food production.
The intervention has a financial package of K40million and is expected to run from 2013 to 2017. It will result in 30,000 farmers accessing financial services and job creation at 120,000.
The ZNFU has also partnered with the National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE), in a programme called Bunjimi asset loan facility, which aims to loan 400 tractors to farmers by the end of this year.
A further partnership has been entered into with the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB), under the Lima Credit Scheme, with the number of farmers accessing loans increasing to more than 16,780 farmers in the 2013/14 farming season.
Under the same arrangement, the farmers’ body in collaboration with the ZNCB currently manages a Tractor Financing Scheme, targeting small-scale farmers.
The commercial bank was also working with NWK, formerly Dunavant to operate an out-grower scheme for small-holders farmers in the country which during the 2012/2013 had 160,000 farmers taking part in the programme and has now grown to 200,000.
These developments surrounding the growth of the agricultural sector as spearheaded by the ZNFU, were welcomed by Gender and Child Development Minister Inonge Wina who also pointed out that farmers especially women, have been grappling with limited access to finances and this has restricted their participation.
Ms Wina commended the ZNFU for undertaking the various initiatives and assured the farming community of Government’s support towards continued expansion of the agricultural sector.
“Worldwide farmers’ unions are the most conservative in prioritising women, but it is gratifying to note that the ZNFU has come up with an innovation fund which has increased access to finance for women farmers,” she said during a farmer symposium in Lusaka recently.
Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Lena Nordstrom also backed sentiments that the empowerment of women in farming still remains vital.
The envoy also assured the farming community in Zambia of her country’s continued support, emphasising on the need for hard work, innovation and team work, to ensure success in the implementation of various programmes especially those aimed at empowering women.
Statistics indicate that more than 60 per cent of men have access to the Government’s Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) despite having 52 per cent of women contributing to the production of food around the country.
The ZNCB acting managing director Ignatius Mwanza observed that the Lima Credit Scheme has continued to attract more participation from the farmers.
“The Lima Credit Scheme is one we are extremely proud of due to its continued success over the years. The number of farmers on the scheme has increased from 600 farmers in the 2008/2009 season to 16,780 in the 2013/1014 season,” Mr Mwanza said.
Mr Mwanza noted that financial exposure has increased from K309, 000 to K70 million which he said is a significant contribution.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wylbur Simuusa noted the private sector had an integral part to play in the performance of the agricultural sector as a way of supplementing Government efforts to
bolster performance.
“Let me urge players in the market to participate in buying and stocking up maize requirements as the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will only offload primarily on the export market and in the domestic market  when need arises,” he said.
Mr Simuusa explained that due to low participation by the private sector, this forced Government to continue buying maize despite reaching the strategic reserve threshold of 500,000 and ending up buying around one million metric tonnes.
ZNFU president Evelyn Nguleka called on Government address the high interest rates and electricity tariffs, which she said was hindering significantly the growth of the agricultural sector.
She said the 2015 National Budget fell short of meeting the expectations of farmers.
“It is amazing that Government has turned a blind eye by allowing interest rates to go up as high as 24 per cent,” She said.
Acting President, Guy Scott urged the farmers to find common solutions to challenges facing agriculture production.
“Farmers at every level face different changes which require unique approach to increase production and market access. This required radical changes to put things right and move forward. Do not rush to
export market before exploring the local, because some products fetch more when you sell within the country,” he said.
Efforts to promote the growth of the agriculture sector should be encouraged if the country is to widen the export base, but efforts that are currently being implemented to improve performance, show that the sector is headed on the right path and more can be achieved if the players remain united.