Agri Business News

28/10/2025

ZNS TO TAKE OVER KITWE SILO WITH 69,000 CUBIC METERS CAPACITY

The Zambia National Service (ZNS) is set to take charge of a grain storage silo facility in Kitwe with plans to rehabilitate the dilapidated structure and significantly increase the nation's maize storage capacity following an upcoming official handover.

The facility is set to be handed over to the Service by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development as part of Government’s effort to revitalise critical agricultural infrastructure across the country.

The Deputy ZNS Commander and Chief of Staff, Major General Reuben Mwewa, revealed that the Service will soon mobilize resources and deploy engineers on-site to commence rehabilitation works once all necessary paperwork is finalized and the handover is complete.

Maj Gen Mwewa said he was confident that the rehabilitation of the silo will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s grain reserves and reducing post-harvest losses.

He was speaking shortly after conducting an inspection tour of the site in the company of officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Provincial Infrastructure. The tour was to assess the facility ahead of its official handover to ZNS.

“ZNS has been offered this infrastructure by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, and we responded in the affirmative. As a key component of the Defence Force, ZNS is prepared to accept the responsibility to overhaul this massive infrastructure and expand our maize storage facilities,” Maj Gen Mwewa stated.

The Deputy ZNS Chief noted that revamping the facility will not only strengthen the Service’s maize storage capacity but also enhance national preparedness in maintaining strategic food reserves.

He noted that preserving public infrastructure is not only a matter of maintenance but also of national responsibility, as such assets underpin economic resilience and food security.

Maj Gen Mwewa said ZNS remains committed to ensuring that such facilities contribute to the Government’s broader goal of achieving national food self-sufficiency.

"Increased storage facilities are essential to prevent post-harvest losses and ensure that the country can hold increased maize commodities adequately, that is the only way will be food secure,” he said.

And Provincial Infrastructure Officer Mr Haggai Kaoma disclosed that the grain silo facility formerly managed by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has a holding volume of about 69,000 cubic metres even in its current state of disrepair.

He noted that once rehabilitated, the facility will play a crucial role in expanding the nation’s maize storage capacity and strengthening food security.

Mr Kaoma thanked ZNS for its proactive decision to prepare to take charge of the facility, describing it as a timely intervention that will not only expand maize storage capacity but also reinforce the country’s long-term food security strategy.

“We are happy with the swift response by ZNS to prepare for taking over this Silo and we are confident that the planned rehabilitation works once implemented will enhance the country’s maize storage capacity and strengthen its overall food-security position,” he said.

Credit: Zambia National Service

24/10/2025

With Meshaque Kilonzo – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

24/10/2025

22/10/2025

Chief Chibale Offer Land for Sustainable Development

Chief Chibale of Serenje District has offered 100 hectares of land to the Green Living Movement (GLM) for a Centre of Excellence in sustainable development. The traditional leader praised GLM's transformative work in social, economic, and environmental development.

Chieftainess Sinazongwe has also offered 10 hectares of land to GLM for environmental stewardship in her district. She appreciated GLM's leadership and dedication to sustainable development.

The traditional leaders' gestures highlight their commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation, and they urge other stakeholders to support GLM's initiatives.

21/10/2025

OVER 10,500 farmers have collected their farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in Northern Province.

The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) reports that this came to light during a sensitisation meeting of agro-dealers and the Ministry of Agriculture district officers held in Kasama.

Northern Province senior marketing and development officer Chikobola Musaka said this is for the 2025/2026 farming season. He said this is out of the 58,000 farmers that have already made their K400 individual contributions through the Food Reserve Agency.

He said more farmers are expected to collect their inputs in new districts under the electronic voucher system that has allowed over 150 agro suppliers to take part in the programme.

“As Northern Province, we have a target of 98,315 farmers. Out of this number, we already have 58,500 whose contributions have already been deducted by FRA.

“So far, we have over 10,500 farmers who have already redeemed, but we are anticipating that this number should increase,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture is targeting November 30, 2025 for all beneficiary farmers to have farming inputs.

Meanwhile, Northern Province agriculture coordinator Derick Simukanze has urged agro dealers to allow top-ups on the K8,400 electronic voucher to enable farmers to collect other inputs.

He added that over 58,500 farmers whose contributions were deducted from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) have already collected their inputs in the province.

Daily Mail

21/10/2025

The To***co Board of Zambia today hosted a high-level meeting with delegates from China To***co International (CTI) and Alliance One Zambia. During the meeting, the Board presented a comprehensive overview of Zambia's to***co industry, highlighting its growth potential, current production capacities, and future development plans. The discussion also focused on exploring potential investment opportunities, including expansion of production, value addition, and market diversification.

Both CTI and Alliance One Zambia expressed interest in Zambia's to***co sector, citing the country's favorable climate, rich soil, and skilled workforce as attractive factors for investment. Further engagements are planned to build on the momentum generated by this meeting, with CTI, being one of the major importers of African to***co, potentially playing a significant role in Zambia's to***co exports.

This meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening partnerships and identifying new opportunities for growth and development in Zambia's to***co industry.

19/10/2025

It's that time of the year farmers be careful

On October 17, 2025, at around 15:00 hours, Kalomo Police Station received a report of suspected counterfeit maize seed from Mr. Joseph Namanje Ngoma, aged 48, of Chikoli B Compound, Kalomo, who is also a Manager at Farmsave Agriculture Business in Kalomo District.

Mr. Ngoma reported that he had received information that some farmers in Kanyanga Village, Nyawa Chiefdom, Kazungula District, were in possession of suspected counterfeit maize seed. Acting on the information, police instituted investigations which led to the apprehension of two farmers, namely Mr. Clever Mweetwa, aged 56, and Mr. Oment Manengu, aged 48, both of Kanyanga Village, Nyawa Chiefdom, Kazungula District.

The two were found in possession of 36 x 10kg bags of maize seed packaged in Seedco-labelled bags. During interviews, the farmers disclosed that they had bought the seeds from Ms. Loveness Chisola, aged 35, of Mawaya Compound, Kalomo, at K600 per bag. The farmers later led officers to the apprehension of Ms. Chisola.

Upon being interviewed, Ms. Chisola claimed that she had ordered the seeds from an unknown person at Kabesha Market, Chibolya Compound, Lusaka, while on her way from Kasumbalesa, where she had gone for business. Police further recovered K16,000 from her, believed to be proceeds from the sale of the counterfeit seeds. The money has since been kept as an exhibit.

Local Seedco officials were engaged to verify the authenticity of the seeds. Mr. John Mufuzi, the Seedco Area Manager for Kalomo, inspected the recovered seed and confirmed that it was counterfeit and not a product of Seedco.

The 36 bags of maize seed have been secured at Kalomo Police Station. The two farmers, Mr. Clever Mweetwa and Mr. Oment Manengu, who were earlier apprehended, have since been released, while Ms. Loveness Chisola remains in police custody to assist with ongoing investigations.

The Zambia Police Service wishes to caution members of the public, particularly farmers, to purchase agricultural inputs only from certified and authorized dealers. Buying from unverified sources exposes them to counterfeit products and potential financial losses.

Issued by:
Auxensio Daka
Commanding Officer
Southern Province

18/10/2025

GWEMBE RESIDENTS URGE FRA TO DELIVER MAIZE TO LOCAL STORAGE SHEDS

Kkole Ward Development Committee Chairperson in Gwembe District, Smart Hakanjole, has called on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to take maize grain to local storage sheds so that people can start buying.

Hakanjole notes that several residents in Kkole are currently experiencing hunger due to the lack of nearby markets to buy maize or mealie meal.

He has attributed the situation to the low rainfall experienced in the past two years, which led to most farmers losing their crops.

Hakanjole notes that currently, some locals are using canoes to sail to Siavonga to buy maize and mealie meal—a situation he feels is dangerous for the residents, in addition to the products getting soaked due to the water on the small boats.

Meanwhile, Gwembe District Commissioner Killian Chikandula tells Byta FM News in an interview that his office is aware of the hunger challenge that has affected most parts of the district.

Chikandula says he has written to FRA requesting them to start maize community sales.

Byta

10/10/2025

Growing strawberries can be a delightful experience! Here's a comprehensive guide to help you get started:

Choosing the Right Variety

- June-bearing: Produces large berries in June, ideal for jam-making and freezing.
- Ever-bearing: Produces smaller berries throughout the growing season, perfect for snacking and salads.
- Day-neutral: Produces consistently throughout the growing season, regardless of daylight hours.

Growing Conditions

- Sunlight: Strawberries need full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight) to produce plenty of fruit.
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

Planting Strawberries

1. Buy healthy plants: Purchase plants from a reputable nursery or online supplier.
2. Prepare the soil: Add compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.
3. Space correctly: Plant strawberries 18-24 inches apart, with the crown (where the roots meet the leaves) at soil level.
4. Water thoroughly: Water well after planting and keep the soil moist during the first few weeks.

Caring for Strawberries

1. Fertilize: Feed strawberries with a balanced fertilizer once a month.
2. Mulch: Mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
3. Monitor for pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for signs of pests or diseases, and take action promptly if necessary.

Tips for a Bountiful Harvest

1. Pick regularly: Regular harvesting encourages plants to produce more fruit.
2. Provide support: Use strawberry clips or a strawberry jar to keep plants upright and fruit off the ground.
3. Keep the area weed-free: Regularly remove weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and water.

Growing Strawberries in Containers

1. Choose a large container: Use a container at least 6-8 inches deep and 12-18 inches wide.
2. Use a well-draining potting mix: Avoid using regular garden soil, as it can compact and prevent proper drainage.
3. Follow the same care instructions: Water, fertilize, and mulch as you would for in-ground strawberries.

10/10/2025

Mint is a versatile herb that offers numerous benefits, from culinary and medicinal uses to natural pest control and aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the key advantages of growing mint:

Benefits of Mint

- Digestive Health: Mint helps alleviate indigestion, bloating, and gas due to its natural digestive properties.
- Natural Pest Repellent: Mint's strong scent repels mosquitoes, ants, aphids, and other pests, making it an excellent companion plant.
- Respiratory Relief: Mint's menthol content helps clear nasal passages and reduce cold symptoms.
- Stress Relief and Mood Booster: The aroma of mint can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting mental clarity and well-being.
- Skin and Oral Health: Mint's antimicrobial properties can help treat skin conditions like acne and freshen breath.
- Culinary Uses: Mint is a popular ingredient in teas, cocktails, salads, and desserts, adding flavor and freshness to various dishes.¹ ² ³

How to Grow Mint

- Soil Requirements: Mint prefers rich, moist soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Sunlight: Mint thrives in partial shade to full sun, tolerating various light conditions.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
- Container Gardening: Growing mint in containers helps control its invasive spread and prevents overtaking other plants.
- Pruning and Harvesting: Regular pruning and harvesting encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering, which can reduce leaf quality.
- Propagation: Mint can be easily propagated through stem cuttings or division.⁴ ⁵ ⁶

Tips for Growing Mint

- Choose the Right Variety: Select from spearmint, peppermint, or other varieties based on your intended use and taste preferences.
- Use Root Barriers: Install root barriers to prevent mint's aggressive roots from spreading beyond the container.
- Fertilize: Feed mint with a balanced fertilizer once a month to promote healthy growth.

09/10/2025

ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH COUNTERFEIT MAIZE SEED PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY
The Zambia Police Service, through its Intellectual Property Unit (IPU), in collaboration with officers from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), has today, 8th October 2025, apprehended two male suspects in connection with the illegal production and distribution of counterfeit maize seed.
The arrests followed a targeted operation conducted in Lusaka’s Mbasela and Shalom areas of the Garden House compound. The suspects were found in possession of materials used in the packaging and branding of counterfeit seed, posing a serious threat to Zambia’s agricultural sector and food security.

30/09/2025

The World Bank has approved the second phase of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD II) project, expanding support for Zambia's watershed management and forest conservation. This initiative aims to improve sustainable management of over 680,000 hectares of land and enhance livelihood resilience for more than 650,000 people in vulnerable communities of Zambia's Miombo ecoregion.

Key Objectives:

- Climate-Resilient Livelihoods: Promote climate-resilient livelihoods and support green jobs in priority sectors, particularly in Southern Province.
- Sustainable Land Management: Invest in climate-smart agriculture, restore degraded landscapes, and modernize hydromet services to enhance resilience to climate change.
- Community-Driven Approach: Deploy a whole-of-society approach to promote socioeconomic development needs of local communities and nature-based solutions.

Project Benefits:

- Improved Meteorological Services: Enhance weather monitoring and forecasting, and improve the quality and reliability of meteorological data to support timely and accurate climate forecasts.
- Forest Conservation: Protect existing forest reserves and establish new Community Forest Management Groups, empowering rural households to participate in conservation efforts.
- Carbon Market Participation: Develop a new jurisdictional Emission Reduction Program to strengthen Zambia's capacity to participate in carbon markets and generate additional resources for rural livelihoods.

Funding:

- Total Investment: $137 million
- International Development Association (IDA) Grant: $100 million
- Additional Funding Sources: Global Environment Facility (GEF), Least Developed Countries Fund for Climate Change (LDCF), Africa Climate and People (ACP) Trust Fund, Strategic Climate Fund (SCF)/Climate Investment Fund (CIF), and Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions (SCALE) Multi-Donor Trust Fund.¹