Zambia Agribusiness Society

Fresh tomato juice in glass. Vegetable drink Tomato juice contain very high levels of antioxidants makes a big role in the fight against tumours, especially prostate cancer and cancer of the lungs, colon and rectum. Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Assistance in download weight as low in calories and high in fibre and helps sense of satiety. Promote digestive health and prevents indigestion and protects against constipation, and helps in the prevention of kidney stones and gall bladder, and enhances the health of the colon. Promote prostate health and works to help ward off cancers. Features the dietary fibre lowers cholesterol levels in the body. Dietary fibre that tomatoes contain in general help to regulate blood sugar. Has a role in protecting and strengthening bones and protection of vulnerability, as a source of calcium and vitamin K, which is active responsible for the consolidation of calcium in the bone. Reduces the risk of blood clots, and features the calcium pla

Feed related problems, diseases and bad management practices in intensive layer houses can result in a decreased number of eggs and also eggs which are abnormal in shape and colour. Decreased egg production results in a smaller profit to farmers and less money in their pockets. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent these factors affecting egg production. 1. Not enough drinking water Clean and cool water must always be available to avoid heat stress . Lack of water results in reduced egg production. 2. No feed or decreased feed intake Chickens tend to eat less when the feed is not tasty or when they are stressed because of environmental temperatures, especially when it gets too hot. Feed should be available at all times. When chickens are not well fed, egg production decreases. 3. Low calcium in the feed This result in few and smaller eggs, soft-shelled eggs, shell-less eggs, cracked eggs, eggs losing colour and hens having leg problems. If calcium deficien

Okra is rich in a plethora of vitamins like vitamin K, C, A, E, B6 and B9. In addition to this, it has a high content of fibre, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that provides great health benefits to the human body. Benefits of Okra: 1.     Works against cancers. 2.     Relaxes blood vessels and arteries. 3.     Works against high blood pressure. 4.     Controls/cures diabetes. 5.     Good source of probiotics. 6.     Works against asthma. 7.     Aids in improving digestion/combats constipation. 8.     Protects eyes against cataract and macular degeneration. 9.     Aids in weight loss. 10. Helps control hunger as it's full of soluble fibre that makes you feel full so quickly. 11. Stabilises cholesterol levels. 12. Prevents neural tube defects in pregnancy. 13. Keeps one from getting tired. Seeds delay fatigue. 14. Maintains a beautiful skin. 15. Applied as facemask for a smooth and radiant look. 16. Use as a good hair treatment. 17. Protec

Is a very common question many people ask! Many people come to Facebook and post amounts of money they have, and ask what business they can do using that money. Well, first and foremost, ‘ the general rule ' is that all businesses are profitable. It's just a matter of choosing which one suits you best, based on the following brief points: [ In no particular order ] 1. Passion: Remember Business is not for everyone. Something in you needs to trigger an Entrepreneurial spirit if you want that business to prosper. Don't do business solely based on need to survive. Do it because you love what you want to do. With that spirit, money will follow you. 2. Availability of time: Will you run it part time or full time; due to work, school, family etc.? 3. Target market: Who are your potential buyers based on what you feel you would like to venture in, are they High, Medium or low income earners? Are they the type that are likely to pay cash or on credit? 4. Location:

Kabulangeti beans is an indeterminate (semi-climber). The seed size is medium with a maturity period of 75 to 80 days. Seed rate is 60kg/ha with a spacing of 60 × 10cm. Kabulangeti beans can be grown in all the three Agro-ecological zones that is region 1, 2 & 3. The yield potential is 1, 500 to 2, 000kg/ha. Fertilizer : In rich soils, or soils where you applied  farm yard manure , you can use an all-purpose light fertilizer like NPK 5:5:5, NPK 10:10:10, NPK 12:12:12. In infertile soils, you can use NPK 15:15:15, NPK 17:17:17 or NPK 19:19:19. Such fertilizers with an equal NPK are intended to meet most plants general nutrients requirements throughout their growing season. Alternatively, you can use WVC, DAP. If your soils are very rich or if you have had a well fertilized crop the year before, you can do without fertilizer, just inoculate your beans as the crop will use the left over nutrients. But the best basal fertilizer for all legumes like  beans ,  groundnuts ,  soya bean

Weeds have serious impacts on agricultural production. It is estimated that in general weeds cause 5% loss in agricultural production in most of the developed countries, 10% loss in less developed countries and 25% loss in least developed countries. In Zambia, yield losses due to weeds are more than those from pests and diseases. Yield losses due to weeds vary with the crops. Every crop is exposed to severe competition from weeds. Most of these weeds are self-sown and they provide competition caused by their faster rate of growth in the initial stages of crop growth. In some crops, the yields are reduced by more than 50% due to weed infestation. 1. Reduced Yield: Weeds compete with crop plants for nutrients, soil moisture, space and sunlight. 2. Poor Crop Quality: Weed seeds contaminate crop yield resulting in poor quality and rejection in the market. 3. Weeds Harbour Pests and Diseases: Weeds harbour organisms, and some are food sources for pests resulting in their increased popula

Greenhouse structures are made with U.V treated polyethylene that helps in providing warmth and screening harmful rays to reach the plants. The greenhouse cover is made of three basic layers namely anti-drip, U.V treatment, air space to help in holding or retaining the in absorbed heat, this helps in creating a stable temperature within the greenhouse regardless of change in the external weather. A greenhouse structure houses hybrid vegetable varieties that can be harvested for a long period of between 3 to 12 months and produce quality and vigorous growing vegetables. Growing crops in a greenhouse ensures high yields as one can do drip irrigation and the presence of a shade ensures minimum evaporation and there is no excess heat. This help to save on water as one can cut on water usage. Plants are protected from the scorching sun, wind, pests and diseases unlike crops on the open field hence give better yields. Plants in greenhouses have the best growing conditions thus prod

Crocodile farming in Africa is a major contributor to the global luxury market for designer handbags, shoes, belts and other leather accessories. Currently, over one million crocodile skins are traded on the international market every year, exported legally from about 30 countries across the world. In Africa, Zambia and South Africa are the largest operators of crocodile farms and producers of crocodile skins. The Nile crocodile, which is the dominant crocodile species in Africa, is highly valued for its boneless underbelly and soft leather. It’s no surprise that the European market orders over 100,000 crocodile skins from Africa every year. Asia is another big market for African crocodile skins, where it is used to produce non-branded leather products. How large is the Crocodile farming Business in Africa? Southern Africa dominates the crocodile farming business on the continent. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and a few other countries in East Africa (especially Kenya) are

The real reason for engaging in the business of farming is to make profits. But profits don't just come. You have to work it out! One of the best ways to make better profits in livestock and poultry farming is to do away with unnecessary costs. A wise farmer will continually look for ways to cut costs without necessarily reducing the quality of his farm products. Profits boosting ideas in livestock farming Let us look at some ideas that will greatly boost your farm profits in both short and long runs. 1. Strict hygiene/ biosecurity : We cannot overemphasize the need for hygiene in the farming environment. There is no money spent on hygiene that will not turn to gains eventually. Do not give room to dirty attendants and practices; they are profits killers. 2. Preventive health mentality: Always aim to prevent disease outbreak in your farming operations. Strive at all cost to do all necessary preventive practices. It is always better and cheaper to prevent disease than

The teeth of the young pigs are clipped as soon as possible after birth. Piglets are born with eight teeth. Failure to clip the teeth results in teat injury and infection. Teeth clipping also prevents the young pigs injuring themselves while fighting or playing. Why is it so important? Piglets bite the sow (mother) in their fight to get hold of one of her teats and suckle. The pain caused by this disturbs the sow causing her to get up and prevent her young from feeding. The cuts to the sow's udder also allow germs to infect the udder. In their fight to grasp the teat and suckle, piglets will also bite and injure one another. The simple practice of clipping the teeth as soon as possible after birth prevents these problems. When should it be done? The piglet's teeth should be cut six hours after birth. This is meant to allow piglets to take colostrum. Clipping teeth earlier may result in infection. The sow and her young should be separated for as short a time as possible.

Artificial Insemination (AI) is when fertilization of the livestock is achieved by injecting the semen of a male animal into the vagina of the female counterpart using other techniques than the male. It is performed by qualified personnel who have been trained. This is because the activity involves delicate parts which need to be held very well. Artificial insemination is mostly used in beef cattle and dairy cattle but it applies to other livestock, such as goats, chickens etc. AI also brings the issue of crossbreeding to surface as the bull selected can be of a different breed and the farmer would want to improve his/her stock. The success of artificial insemination is highly dependent on management skills and commitment of the farmer and the farm. The farm needs to have an intensive breeding system which will allow for AI activities. The farmer should pay attention to details of all the farm practices that takes place and even preparation before mating so that at least 90% conception