NAIS News Luapula Province

08/02/2024

Agripreneur Foundation and Success in Community Action are jointly undertaking a project to plant approximately 1,000 fruit trees each year at various schools throughout Kawambwa District in Luapula Province.

Speaking when planting their first orchard at Kacema Musuma primary school, Agripreneur Foundation director Scott Montel says that their intervention will see them install a borehole, drip lines, and plant 330 Hass Avocado trees per school.

Mr. Montel further says that his Foundation in collaboration with Success in Community Action will also train the students in tree planting and maintenance, and teach them about Climate Change and other environmental matters.

01/02/2024

CHIEF Munkanta of the Chishinga people in Kawambwa district says his people have welcomed the establishment of Community Forestry Management Groups (CFMGs) in his chiefdom by the Ministry of Green Economy through the Department of Forestry.

He says forests can be used for carbon trading, beekeeping, and harvesting of mushrooms hence the need to protect them through the means of Community Forestry Management Groups.

He further states that he is open to giving out more land for CFMGs once the Department of Forestry and projects like the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) identifies areas that can be used for this purpose.

The Kabembe and Lubula Fita forest management areas have a combined total area of over 11-thousand-two-hundred hectares of land.

Details by Jonas Miselo

22/01/2024

Samfya District Operations Officer for the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD), Augustine Mulenga, says that the project has funded more than 32 million kwacha since its inception to support sixty-one community groups within the district.

Stating that the grants provided to these community groups aim to aid in climate change adaptation and reduce the dependence of communities on the excessive exploitation of their natural resources.

Mr. Mulenga emphasizes that the current focus of the TRALARD project is now on ensuring the be sustainability of its investments in the district as climate change adaptation is a gradual process.

Jonas Miselo has more details in the following report

14/01/2024

In today's Daily Nation newspaper

21/12/2023

To address climate change impacts, Chief Mwansakombe of the Ng’umbo people in Chifunabuli district has allocated 250 hectares of land in Kafwimbi as a community forest management area.

Chief Mwansakombe says that this initiative aims to combat deforestation and promote livelihood activities for community prosperity.

Details in the following report by Jonas Miselo

15/12/2023

Senior Marketing Development Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture in Luapula province Phidelis Mazuba says that the province has issued over ninety-nine percent of inputs allocated to farmers in the province.

Mr. Mazuba says that most farmers in the province received their inputs in November before the onset of the rains which means that it is now up to the farmers to decide when to plant.

Meanwhile, Mansa District Agricultural Coordinator Stanford Nkhoma revealed that the response to the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facilities has been overwhelming.

Jonas Miselo has details in the following report.

Details in the following report

07/12/2023

In the latest edition of the Agriculture Today magazine

01/12/2023

As the Expansion of Community Based Small Holder Irrigation Development (ECOBSI) Project comes to an end in the country, Luapula Provincial Agricultural Coordinator Godwin Chate has called upon agriculture officers to continue with the initiatives pioneered by the project.

Mr. Chate emphasized that the activities initiated in collaboration with ECOBSI are integral components of government programmes.

Addressing participants at the annual evaluation workshop in Mansa district, Mr. Chate commended the ECOBSI Project for establishing a robust foundation through various capacity-building workshops during its four-year cycle.

He stressed the importance of translating the acquired knowledge and experience into practical implementation as officers continue their agricultural activities.

The ECOBSI Project, funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, has played a pivotal role in enhancing irrigation development in the country under the Ministry of Agriculture's guidance.

Over the past four years, the project has been instrumental in fostering sustainable agricultural practices, facilitating workshops, and imparting crucial skills to agriculture.

Details in the following report by Jonas Miselo.

28/11/2023

The Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture is training over three thousand farmers in Samfya district in Luapula province in post-harvest loss management and climate smart agriculture practices.

TRALARD Samfya district operations officer Augustine Mulenga says that Project working with the Ministry of Agriculture is conducting trainings in all eighteen agricultural camps in the district aiming to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to adapt to climate change and post harvest losses.

More in this report by Jonas Miselo

23/11/2023

Ronica Mwape, a farmer in Samfya district, Luapula province, has encouraged women to embrace the transformative potential of Village Savings and Lending Initiatives within their communities.

Ronica emphasizesd how the Village Savings and Lending Association (VSLA) significantly contributed to the growth of her farming business, enabling her to purchase seedlings for various crops.

In the pursuit of meaningful development and women's empowerment, the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) is actively promoting VSLA groups in Samfya district to foster sustainable livelihoods.

Jonas Miselo has details in thIs report

08/11/2023

Climate Smart Agriculture: Key in Mitigating Effects of Climate Change

By Jonas Miselo

A senior extension methodologist at the Ministry of Agriculture in Luapula Province, Hobab Mumbi has emphasized the significance of climate-smart agriculture techniques in helping farmers adapt to ever-changing weather patterns.

In an exclusive interview with NAIS, Mr. Mumbi shed light on the prevailing weather conditions in Luapula Province, characterized by the onset of rains.

He stressed that this climatic factor is important for the successful planting and growth of crops. However, he also highlighted the potential challenges posed by delayed or erratic rains, which can result in planting difficulties and, ultimately, reduced crop yields.

Among the key challenges faced by farmers due to weather conditions, Mr. Mumbi identified droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. To counter these challenges, he recommended a set of adaptive strategies for farmers.

“To adapt, farmers can use drought-resistant crop varieties, improve irrigation methods, and diversify their crops to be less reliant on a single type,” he said.

On climate-smart agriculture techniques, Mr. Mumbi explained that these practices involve sustainable approaches that take climate change into account. Such techniques encompass strategies like crop rotation, agroforestry, and water management methods, which aid farmers in adapting to shifting weather patterns and improving overall crop yields.

Furthermore, Mr. Mumbi clarified on specific practices and strategies that farmers can implement under the umbrella of climate-smart agriculture.

“These include the adoption of rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, and integrated pest management, all of which can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of unpredictable weather on their crops.”

Addressing the TRALARD Project's recent achievement in training 1,300 farmers in Chifunabuli district, Mr. Mumbi underscored the training program's primary focus on improving agricultural practices, imparting climate resilience knowledge, and enhancing overall productivity. He stressed that such training is not only beneficial but also critical for ensuring food security and improving the livelihoods of local communities.

In terms of future collaboration with the Ministry, Mr. Mumbi recommended a closer partnership between the TRALARD Project and the Ministry of Agriculture.

“This entails sharing data, insights, and effective coordination to align with government policies and initiatives related to agriculture and climate resilience,” he stated.

Additionally, Mr. Mumbi delved into ways in which the TRALARD Project can collaborate with local farmers and communities to guarantee the successful implementation of climate-smart agriculture techniques.

He advocated for the active involvement of local communities in the planning and decision-making process, provision of training and essential resources, and the facilitation of knowledge sharing among the local population.

In conclusion, Mr. Mumbi reiterated the pivotal role of climate-smart agriculture techniques in assisting farmers in adapting to the shifting weather patterns. He emphasized the necessity of collaboration between organizations like TRALARD and local communities to ensure the realization of a resilient and food-secure future.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is defined as an approach that helps guide actions to transform agriculture and food systems towards green and climate-resilient practices.

CSA supports reaching internationally agreed goals such as the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. It aims to tackle three main objectives: sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes; adapting and building resilience to climate change; and reducing and/or removing greenhouse gas emissions, where possible.

In Pictures

Farmers undergoing climate smart agriculture trainings in Chifunabuli district in Luapula province organiser by the TRALARD Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture

04/11/2023

By Mwiinga Mukuwa
Milenge District of luapula province has launched the Animal fair day which entails that once a year farmers will be required to bring their livestock to a designated location and show case their animals with the view of promoting competitive livestock production and market linkages.

Officiating as Guest of Honour during the launch of the Animal fair Day in kabange area in Milenge, Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator for Luapula Province Joseph Chiti has urged farmers to move from less productive methods of livestock to more productive ones.

The Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator said today’s event connects well with the Government policy which hinges on promotion of increased livestock production and productivity for the attainment of increased GDP and food security at Household and national level.

Mr Chiti said farmers in Milenge district are seriously taking up diversified and business based agriculture either as a group or individual basis, there by adopting business oriented livestock keeping as one of the most sustainable economic activity.

“Also as a more dependable income generating activity as opposed to crop farming only, there is need to maximise livestock production as serious source of income, “He said.

The Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator said the Animal fair day entails that once in a year, farmers must bring their livestock to a designated location and show case with the view to promote competitive livestock production and market linkages for livestock.

He explained that the benefits farmers can get from the fair are that participating farmers will have significant interaction with fellow livestock farmers and exchange knowledge.

Through events such as the animal fair events, the Department of Livestock Development will be able to share modern, latest and practical livestock innovation to the farmers to help them improve on their livestock husbandry practices.

“Partcipicipating farmers will be keeping their livestock on a competitive rate their by contributing to increased livestock production and productivity, “He said.

Mr Chiti noted that There is going to be exhibition of value addition in livestock which will enhance the adoption of value chains in livestock production.

And Speaking at the same event, Milenge District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Chongo Kafula stressed the need for farmers to form Associations and work together to discuss challenges they face on issues of livestock raring.

He said this can be a Goats association and Cattle association.

“For those with cattle we want you to have a farm for the association which will be producing milk and we will talk to heifer international or Zambia Dairy board so that they can assist us with information were we can get breeds which will be used in the dairy farm, “He said.

He encouraged livestock farmers to work together so that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock can give them ideas on how they can realise the benefits in livestock raring.

And speaking at the same event, Matontola Ward Councillor Augustine Chibale explained that the livestock fair has created a platform were livestock farmers have brought a variety of livestock so that others can learn different experiences.
“I would like to urge livestock farmers to be concerned about livestock raring, cattle can be used for farming and consumed as relish, and goats can also be eaten as relish and other different developmental activities,” He said.

Mr Chibale said the local authority is working together with the Department of fisheries and livestock to accelerate development in terms of livestock production.

The Councillor explained that through cooperatives, Clubs and Associations livestock farmers can be able to access funds under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“As a councillor under the local authority I want to work with farmers who want to rare livestock so that they can be experts who can contribute towards increasing livestock production and dairy farming,” said Chibale.

And speaking at the same event , Steven Mutinta a livestock farmer in Chief Milambo’s area in Milenge district explained that cattle is an important source of income which can be sold when one is faced with financial challenges

03/11/2023

Ministry of Agriculture highlights Importance of Weather information to farmers.

By Jonas Miselo

Luapula Province, Zambia - According to Mr. Hobab Mumbi, a Senior Extension Methodologist at the Ministry of Agriculture in Luapula Province, weather information is essential for farmers to make informed decisions about when to plant, what crops to grow, and how to manage their farms.

"Weather information helps farmers to know when they can plant crops, what particular varieties to plant, and when to put pesticides," Mr. Mumbi said.

"It also helps them to avoid applying pesticides before the onset of the rains, which is not a good practice."

Mr. Mumbi added that weather information is especially important in the context of climate change, which is making rainfall patterns more unpredictable.

"With the advent of climate change, there is uncertainty by farmers to engage in farming," Mr. Mumbi said.

"But with weather information, farmers can better plan their farming activities and reduce the risk of crop failures."

We are encouraging farmers to use weather information to make informed decisions about their farming activities," Mr. Mumbi said.

"This will help them to improve their crop yields and mitigate the risks of climate change."

To better help farmers in Luapula province the World Bank funded Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) is set to install automatic weather stations in all districts of Luapula province that will provide farmers with more precise weather information that will help them make more informed agricultural decisions.

A study by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) found that farmers who used weather information to make decisions about their farming activities increased their crop yields by an average of 10%.

The study also found that farmers who used weather information were more likely to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, such as drought-tolerant crops and water-saving irrigation techniques.

Benefits of Weather Information for Farmers

The benefits of weather information for farmers include:

Increased crop yields

Reduced risk of crop failures

Improved decision-making about when to plant, what crops to grow, and how to manage farms

Increased adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices

02/11/2023

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has held its first ever Animal Fair Day in Milenge district of Luapula province.

Officiating at the event in Milenge West, Luapula Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Joseph Chiti says that’s the Fair is a way for livestock farmers to interact and exchange ideas.

He then praised the farmers for steadily adopting business oriented livestock keeping as it is a sustainable economic activity.

Meanwhile, Milenge District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator urged farmers at the Fair to form associations in order to better manage their businesses.

The Animal Fair Day entails that once in a year farmers must bring their livestock to a designated location with a view to showcase their livestock and promote competitive livestock production.

By Jonas Miselo

31/10/2023

Read an article on the launch of the Buyantashi Transportation Channel in Lunga district by Jonas Miselo here.

The works on the channel have been funded by the World Bank-funded Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) Project and represent a significant step toward enhancing transportation infrastructure within the district.

31/10/2023

LUAPULA PROVINCE Permanent Secretary Mighty Mumba says government will continue to upscale the implementation of high impact interventions which are both nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive through a multi-sectoral approach with support from various partners.

The Permanent Secretary said this at Sali Riverside Resort in mansa district at the launch of the Sustainable Targeted Responsive Approach to optimize Nutrition and Growth for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (STRONG-AGYW) project in Luapula Province.

The STRONG AGYW project is a five year project that aims at ensuring that adolescent girls and young women live healthy, productive lives that break the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition.
The project will be implemented in Chifunabuli district of Luapula province.

Report by Mwiinga Mukuwa

31/10/2023

Mansa district commissioner Ireen Chivweta has officially flagged off the 2023/2024 distribution of farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Ms. Chivweta says that the early delivery of inputs in this farming season signifies the importance that the new dawn governments places on smallholder farmers in the country.

She has since cautioned that farmers caught selling their inputs will be blacklisted from the programme.

A total of 13 thousand 5 hundred and forty-nine farmers will benefit from the FISP programme in Mansa district.

30/10/2023

In today's edition of the Times of Zambia

30th October, 2023

29/10/2023

Chief Mwansakombe of the N’gumbo speaking people in Luapula province has called for mindset change amongst his people when it comes to nutrition matters.

Speaking at the launch of the five year Sustainable Targeted Responsive Approach to Optimize Nutrition and Growth for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (STRONG-AGYW) in chief Mwewa’s chiefdom in Chifunabuli district, Chief Mwansakombe says that he is saddened by the slow adoption rate of such interventions by his people.

He has since set a target of five years for his subjects to improve their nutritional status by adopting what is taught in interventions such as the STRONG-AGYW project.

27/10/2023

Government has launched the Sustainable Targeted Responsive Approach to Optimize Nutrition and Growth for adolescent girls and young women (STRONG-AGYW) project in Luapula Province.

Launching the project at Sali Riverside Resort in Mansa district, Luapula province Permanent Secretary Mighty Mumba says government will continue to upscale the implementation of high impact interventions which are both nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive through a multi-sectoral approach with support from various partners through the 1000 most critical day’s programs.

Mr. Mumba says the line Ministries in the province are implementing an array nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive programs such as the provision of therapeutic feeding, micro-nutrient supplementation and the production of nutrient -dense crops.

And speaking at launch , Stanley Mukosa who is chifunabuli District Commissioner says New dawn Government under the leadership of his excellence President Hakainde Hichilema will continue attaching great value to nutrition both in policy and action at all levels.

This is because of its impact on the health and economic status of our people
The District Commissioner says government is ready to give full support to its partners CRS in particular who are keen to elevate malnutrition.

Meanwhile, Dr Chalilwe Chungu who is head of programs for Catholic Relief Services is confident that the project will lead to sustainable development.

The STRONG AGYW project is a five year project that aims at ensuring that adolescent girls and young women live healthy and productive lives that break the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition.

The newly launched project will be implemented in Chifunabuli district of Luapula province.

More Details in pictures by Mwiinga Mukuwa

25/10/2023

Government has launched the 6.1 million United States Dollars Buyantashi water transportation channel in Lunga district of Luapula province.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Eng. Collins Nzovu in a speech read for him by his Permanent Secretary Dr. Douty Chibamba says that the newly launched Buyantanshi channels will ease transportation challenges faced by the people of Lunga district.

The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is currently implementing the World Bank Funded Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development project (TRALARD) and works on the transportation channels will see the widening and deepening of the water channels in Lunga district.

The Buyantashi transportation channel is 39 kilometers and will help ease transportation of goods and services including agricultural produce and inputs.

23/10/2023

Empowering Agriculture: The Story of Steven Kakube, a TRALARD Champion

By Jonas Miselo

Steven Kakube is a 53-year-old smallholder farmer from Samfya district in Luapula province, Zambia.

He is a community farmer champion under the support of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) livelihood component.

Mr. Kakube was selected as a champion farmer because of his successful farming practices.

"I became a community champion because I was lucky enough to be visited by a team from the TRALARD district office who were impressed with what I was doing on my farm," he said.

As a community farmer champion, Mr. Kakube is responsible for guiding other farmers.

"At this point in time, a lot of people are interested in farming but they do not know how to go about it, for instance, they might not know how to properly utilize their land or how much fertilizer to put and that’s where I come in to help show them and advise them how to go about it," he said.

Mr. Kakube has six follower farmers under his direct tutelage who also share their knowledge with other farmers in the community.

In addition to being a community farmer champion, Mr. Kakube is also a recipient of a fifty-five-thousand-kwacha investment from the TRALARD project that will help him mitigate the effects of climate change on his farming ventures.

"I have been farming since 1995, and the major problem for me has been water," he said. "If I am empowered with things like a submersible pump, a water tank, and other implements I will be able to grow healthier crops."

Mr. Kakube said that once he is empowered with the implements he applied for, he will be able to grow crops all year round.

With more profit coming from an increase in harvest, he also plans on embarking on other livelihood projects like beekeeping, poultry farming, and piggery farming.

Grateful for the proactive engagement of the TRALARD project within the community, he urges the project to maintain a close watch over the progress of beneficiaries benefiting from their interventions. In doing so, he hopes that more individuals like him can thrive and contribute to the nation's bread basket.

17/10/2023

Luapula Province Assistant secretary John mwasha says the learning event will be used as a medium for exchanging technologies and information on high impact nutrition interventions.

Mr Mwasha said this at the Provincial Nutrition learning event which was held at Samfya water front, in Samfya district funded by the Germany cooperation under the FANSER project, the UN Family and scaling up Nutrition Technical Assistant (SUNTA).

The event was held under the theme “water is Life. Water is food. Leave no one behind and a sub –sector theme “Easy access to adequate water can contribute to food and nutrition security. And Speaking at the same event, Evans Sikabbuba who is Kawambwa District Admistrative Officer has stressed the need for collaboration in implementing nutrition activities.

12/10/2023

Luapula province Deputy Permanent Secretary Prudence Mwansa Chinama has implored researchers under the ministry of agriculture to come up with solutions for the many technological challenges faced by our farmers in the region and the country as a whole.

Mrs Chinama further said the country as whole has not been spared from the adverse effects of climate change and the outbreak of crop diseases and pests which are posing to be a serious threat for agriculture production and productivity.

The Deputy Permanent secretary has since challenged researchers to come up with technologies that shall exploit our comparative advantage in the production of crops such as Mixed beans, Cassava and rice as well as other cash crops that have high income generating potential for our people.

She said the achievement of any meaningful social economic development cannot be attained without the combined efforts of all stakeholders.

Therefore, government appreciates the participation of the private sector in the economic development of this country.

She noted that Zambia Agriculture Research Institute has been developing and promoting agro-efficient technologies aimed at improving crop yield, marketability and suitability to local conditions through various research trails

The Depute Permanent Secretary said this during the official opening of the 2023 Region III Research Review and planning meeting held at mansa research station, in mansa district, Luapula province
More details in the report by Mwinga mukuwa

12/10/2023

By Kelly Sinyangwe

Luapula Province is currently having a Nutrition Promotion Learning event which has been hosted by Samfya District and has attracted all the seven Scaling up Nutrition II (MCDP II) implementing Districts, Local Traditional leadership and also different stakeholders at National Level.

The learning event is being held with an objective of sharing knowledge and the event has also enabled participants to interact with each other as well as beneficiaries and exchange information on the best practices that are aimed at reducing Stunting.

The Event is being held under the theme “Water is life. Water is food. Leave no one behind.” With a Sub Theme: “Easy Access to Adequate Water Can Contribute to Food and Nutrition Security”

The 1000 most critical day’s programme II(MCDP II) in Luapula Province is being spearheaded by Government with support from partners like Scaling up Nutrition Technical Assistance (SUNTA) supporting Nchelenge, Mansa and Samfya, the UN Family (UNCEF, PLAN, FAO) supporting Chienge and Germany Agency for international Corporation (GIZ )which is supporting Kawambwa, Mwansabombwe and Mwense.

All the partners are committed to ensuring that they contribute to the reduction of stunting by concentrating on nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions at household level in districts were the project is being implemented.

12/10/2023

In Issue 110 of the Rainbow newspaper

10/10/2023

Government says that the enactment of a new plant health bill will protect Zambian farmers from plant pests and diseases from within and outside the country.

Luapula provincial agricultural coordinator Godwin Chate says the bill will ensure that all planting materials are inspected to prevent the transmission of plant diseases and pests from other countries.

Mr. Chate made the remarks during a validation meeting for the plant health bill held in Mansa

09/10/2023

Luapula province permanent secretary Mighty Mumba has disclosed that the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project has so far spent approximately 19.4 million United States Dollars on various projects in the province.

Speaking when he welcomed the delegation from the World Bank and the National Project Implementing Unit (NPCU) in Luapula province, Mr. Mumba thanked the project for funding projects ranging from community livelihood projects, infrastructure, and the dredging of water channels in Lunga district.

29/09/2023

The Ministry of Agriculture is training over one thousand three hundred smallholder farmers in 17 agricultural camps of Chifunabuli district in Luapula province on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA).

Chifunabuli district, acting senior agricultural officer Greenford Musonda says that the training is meant to encourage farmers to adopt diverse and climate-resilient farming practices.

The training of the smallholder farmers is being done with the support of the World Bank-funded and government run Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD).