Knowledge is power. We are bringing this knowledge not only on media but where farmers are.
Will you be part of the 100 farmers we are targeting to grow their
potential through specialised training in each district? Be part of this movement
that is raising the capacity of smallholder farmers to advanced levels of
farming through practical knowledge and experience. Do not be proud being a
smallholder farmer that is merely a step towards large scale farming.
This May to October, Renegia Consultancy in conjunction with
Conservation Farming Unit, The Ministry of Agriculture, The Mast, KNC Radio and
Television Spice will be conducting extensive trainings under the theme ‘’Arise
Zambia Agriculture A sleeping Economic Giant’’. The target groups are: farmers,
agriculture cooperative leaders, extension experts, agro dealers and the media
in the following areas: Chongwe, Kafue, Kabwe, Mumbwa, Kapiri Mposhi, Mpongwe,
Mkushi, and Serenje. For other provinces and districts who wish to participate,
register your participation on the following number: +260-956-261174 for more
details. The participants will be offered participation certificates.
The first phase of training will be for farmers and cooperative
leaders. The topics will cover the following:
·
Principles of farming as a Project vs Farming as a
Business.
·
Availing Business opportunities in Agriculture e.g.
seedling nurseries, fish farming etc.
·
Formulation of Farming Business Plan and Proposals.
·
Market linkages.
·
Financial literacy.
·
Conservation farming techniques.
·
Seedling management.
·
Vegetable management.
·
Maize production.
·
Soya production
The second phase of training will be for agro-dealers and will cover
the following topics:
·
Agro Business Management (agro dealers).
·
Marketing strategies
The third phase of training will be for agricultural extension
experts and will cover the following:
·
Morden extension approaches.
·
Climate Smart Agriculture
The firth and last phase training will be for the media personnel
and will cover the following topic:
·
Climate Smart Agriculture Reporting.
To continue where we ended last week, it is imperative to understand
that smallholder farmers are mostly affected by the impact of post-harvest
loses. Let’s look at this in detail:
1. The impact
of post-harvest losses (PHL)
The impact of PHL cuts across family, community, national, and the
international community. At all of these levels there would be food and
nutritional deficiencies. This would trigger high food prices beyond the reach
of many and lead to extreme hunger and escalation of poverty levels. The
countries would not get the needed GDP and that would affect the economies of
individual countries and the world as a whole. PHLs affect the environment as
the inputs used to produce the lost food are also wasted along with the
harvest. To avert this situation there is need for vigorous training of farmers
not only on production but harvesting and post harvesting techniques.
There is money and time involved in production of any crops. The crops
grown become part of the market economy which must be sold to recover the cost
of production. This must be at a profit. In the developing world post-harvest
losses of food grains due to mishandling, spoilage and pest infestation is
estimated at 25 per cent. This means one quarter of production never reaches
the market. The efforts of the farmer are wasted and the money used in
production is lost. Think about this dilemma.
Let’s take this to the governance of people. It is sufficed to say
that it is very difficult for our government leaders to govern the nation that
is hungry. A hungry nation is an angry nation where strife is the order of the
day. There is need for concerted efforts to reverse production losses that
affect smallholder farmers’ productivity. In as much as we promote increased
production through conservation farming techniques resilient to climate change,
Conservation Farming Unit and Renegia Consultancy have continued to train
farmers on this very important topic through media and farmer training in
groups. The public and private sector participation in this is a seemingly
small matter but huge at national level. The world is grapling with food
shortages. We need to arise and look at losses that incur during and after
harvesting.
2. Post-harvest
management
Post-harvest management is a solution to challenges of post-harvest
losses. Using the principles of management, this is a process involving
planning, organising, directing, controlling, staffing, mobilising for all
resources directed towards a system of handling, storing and transporting
agricultural commodities after harvest. Post-harvest managements (PHM) system
has the capacity to meet the national or global food security to feed the
growing population by eliminating losses. To achieve this goal there must be a
post-harvest management system. This is a system that ensures all management
processes are properly adhered to in terms of planning, organising, directing,
controlling, staffing and mobilising, and managing resources aimed at effective
management of the harvest. Post-harvest management involves all of these
processes in order to achieve optimum yield potential and profitability.
Managing post-harvest loses has the potential to create rural
industries. The government is planning revitalising the operations of mealie
meal plants all over the country to stabilise prices of mealie meal as one
example. This depends on the output of production to sustain the industries for
value additions or otherwise. We have fruit factories like Mwinilunga pineapple
factories; their production can be enhanced by farmers understanding the
importance of managing loses and increase food supply, generate employment,
improve income levels and improve the export of agricultural commodities.
We cannot have sustained production of agricultural commodities
without due diligence to harvesting processes. For example, most smallholder
farmers over years the yield of maize per unit areas has been very poor. How
can you negate your harvest with this experience? Time is now; we advocate for
proper management of crops without negating proper harvesting procedures to
maintain the yield potential. This is where money lies. It’s the quality and
quantity of production.
Remember, Renegia Consultancy trains in conservation agriculture
using media platforms and organised farmer training groupings in areas of
interventions in conjunction with Conservation Farming Unit Ltd and other
partners. Train smallholder farmers on financial literacy and business skills.
Provide linkages for smallholder farmers through partnerships. We build
capacities of agricultural extension experts in modern days’ extension tactics.
Also, offer training services on corporate governance and organisational and
leadership dynamics. To make us serve our nation better and boost our
interactions with farmers, we are inviting companies to sponsor our column or
our operations.
3. Conclusion
Next week, we will look at post-harvesting strategies. Our voices
shall be heard. We live today to impact tomorrow. Stop deforestation and forest
degradation. Act against climate change. Together we can! Arise Zambia,
agriculture a sleeping economic giant.
The author is a Renegia Managing consultant, expert and researcher in Conservation Agriculture Project Management.
Send comments to: oliverbulaya@yahoo.com or WhatsApp: +260-956-261174.
- Dr. Oliver K
Bulaya
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