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Portwest, a global leader in PPE is

Agribusiness

Use Amiran seed and seedlings to improve your yields

Getting the right seed and seedlings is key to maximizing your crop output quantities as well as quality. That is why you need to utilize trusted suppliers with a well established track record.

One such company is Amiran Zambia, it is a leading supplier of vegetable seed and seedlings for all horticultural produce. The company provides seed and seedlings for leading cabbage varieties such as landini variety.

For those that want to get the best pepper output to the expanding Zambian market, Amiran has in stock red pepper and yellow pepper – sunshine variety, for egg plants – black beauty and aragon varieties, and for okra -Clemson spineless variety.

The company also provides watermelon – crimson and zebra varieties, onion varieties which include the neptune – red variety and white variety, rape – english giant variety, impwa, Chinese cabbage -chihili variety, green beans – french beans variety, lettuce and for tomato – the tengeru 97 variety among other varieties.

Amiran Zambia Nursery Seed and Seedlings Sales Manager Buumba Habeenzu said the company has about eight main tomato seed varieties which include Nemo netta, Dominique, Victoria, Karen, Topacio, Yara, Roberta and Green Gold.

Habeenzu stated that dominique and nemo netta tomato varieties can be grown throughout the year and yield between 100 tonnes-250 tonnes per hectare. This is a big advantage and give output and revenue through out this productive time.

She also said the company has seeds with a shorter maturity date of three months with yields between 80-100 tonnes per hectare which include sunshine, chuma, karen, and Victoria varieties among others, adding that farmers can harvest within three months with the first harvest starting after about 10 weeks.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Habeenzu revealed that roberta and topacio varieties are meant to be grown during the rainy season as they are resistant to certain fungi that would affect other varieties in the rainy season and yield between 150-200 tonnes.

The Amiran seed and seedling sale manager stated that the company also produces different banana varieties from Israel including tissue grown bananas as well as fruit tress like hass avocados, noting that Amiran is flexible and sources outside the country what is not available locally.

Habeenzu said the company takes it’s time to produce seedlings which are of very good quality and high standard. This is achieved by Amiran having quality control measures that follow the correct guidelines in order to produce seedlings that farmers will buy in good condition.

She added that seedlings are a bedrock to the foundation and if seedlings are of poor quality, it becomes difficult for farmers to achieve their expected results, therefore Amiran ensures the seedlings are bought when in good condition so that farmers do not experience challenges that may come with seedlings of low quality.

And Amiran Zambia boosts of having most of the varieties they source from their actual suppliers and breeders which are resistance to certain crops such as pests at point of breeding so that no challenges are experienced when the seedlings are delivered to the company and clients.

She added that the tomato varieties suitable to be planted in the rainy season can withstand common diseases which other varieties would end up being wiped out, which is a positive side besides the excellent yields.

“Nemo netta tomato variety which Amiran Zambia supplies is resistance to nematodes, that’s where the name comes from, you can never have nematodes in a nemo netta plant even in a nemo netta field as they repel pests just from point of planting”, she said.

She noted that the company is open to the market’s needs, therefore farmers that want specific varieties that the company doesn’t have can request for such varieties which will be provided as Amiran is driven by the market players who are farmers, so it does not strictly produce what it wants but ensures to cater for the specific farmers’ needs.

Habeezu told ZBT that ideally, the minimum quantity of seedlings farmers can request for is 1,000 seedlings with no limit on the maximum and anything below that is also readily available as a certain amount of seedlings are prepared which can be bought depending on availability or speculative basis.

She added that anything above 1, 000 seedlings should be requested for in advance as Amiran Zambia sources and delivers varieties that specific farmers request, some of which may not be readily available locally or outside the country. These orders for huge or specific quantities of seedlings may also be dependent on the quantity needed.

Habeenzu said the company provides after sell services and follows up on clients in order to provide support and help with production and farmers always get in touch with the company whenever they face challenges, which enables the development of long term relationships.

She added that the company also provides information at the point of sell for specific varieties, and tries to reach out to everyone that may need advice. Amiran Zambia’s Seed and seedlings that are sourced from outside the country come from well established and respected producers from Israel as well as countries like china, Italy and India.

The company also sells seedlings that are not produced by Amiran, on behalf of other quality seed companies, adding that these varieties are solely sold as seedlings. For more information, get in touch with Amiran Zambia.

October 30, 2021

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Getting the right seed and seedlings is

Markets

Musokotwane should focus on stabilizing the macroeconomic variables – BAZ

The Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) says it is hopeful that the finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane In 2022 national budget will focus on pronouncements that will concentrate towards growing the economy, stabilizing the macroeconomic environment and a general plan of how to manage the country’s debt situation.

Association Chief Executive Officer Leonard Mwanza said predictable and stable interest rates, exchange rates and inflation are key to restoring fiscal fitness therefore the need for pronouncements that will address these important issues.

Mwanza said stable interest rates, exchange rates and inflation would allow businesses to access funding at a lower cost, plan long term and avoid cyclical spikes of volatilities that tend to come close to each other.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mwanza said various challenges arise from unstable interest rates, exchange rates and inflation, which cause problems for people in business and banks when they are lending therefore the need to manage such turbulences.

He said there is need for reforms in the energy sector so that the association can see how it can take a lead in supporting the Oil Marketing Companies thus the need to see reforms where government gives OMCs more latitude in terms of importation of fuel.

He added that the banking sector is ready to provide support to OMCs in order to avoid the disruption of the flow of fuel in the country therefore the need for policy changes.

He noted that the association is also looking forward to policy changes in the way government manages the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) as there is need to see a gradual strategy on how to wean out beneficiaries.

“Banks stand ready to ensure that as the reforms are going on, they continue to provide the needed support to agro dealers or farmers involved in the agribusiness so it’s about reforming the current policies so that banks are able to also participate in that space”, he said.

Mwanza said there is need for stable mining policies in the mining sector as they are key to unlocking pending investments, increase production and taking advantage of the high copper prices on the international market.

He added that there might be need for policy changes in the way government collects mineral royalties because if they can be brought back on the market, it could help to push up predictable flow of foreign currency to support the exchange rate.

He noted that the association is looking forward to seeing how it can work with government to ensure that digital financial transactions are automated as there are pronouncements that there is need to increase digital financial inclusion.

“We have systems which are available; we would like to see a committed response towards ensuring that all government businesses or services are brought on the e-commerce space. We want to see a situation where government can allow payment of things like school fees, land rates and health services using digital financial solutions which are available on the market”, he said.

He said this would see more money circulating within regulated financial institutions and if more liquidity circulates within the financial system, it can go a long way in helping to push down the cost of funds in the market and that would benefit both the banks and the borrowers.

“Because if they are borrowing at more affordable rates, they will be in a position to expand, grow their businesses, grow the jobs and also grow the economy which is basically the forecast of what we want to see in the 2022 budget”, he said.

Mwanza said the association wants to see a strategy, which will change the mindset of entrepreneurs such as retailers who tend to shun digital payments in preference to cash payments adding that the industry is ready to work with government to realise the objective of creating a cash lite echo system.

He said the industry has invested in infrastructure systems that are operating efficiently but what remains is a coordinated approach towards achieving and realising the objective of creating a cash lite echo system.

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The Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) says

2022 budget should address industrialization & value addition – ZAM

Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) outgoing President Ezekiel Sekele says he is hopeful that the 2022 national budget will make pronouncements that will focus on accelerating value addition and industrialisation.

Sekele said there is need to improve the performance of the manufacturing sector if the country is to grow the economy and value addition should be top of the agenda in order to reenergize the performance of the sector.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Sekele said the manufacturing sector currently contributes less than 10% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the vision 2030 talks about not less than 30% contribution to the GDP, therefore the need to raise the contribution of value addition from 8% to above 20%.

He said the association would like to see measures that will revamp value addition across all sub sectors such as agriculture and mining adding that the mining sector should also focus on finished products and not sending raw materials outside the country.

“We know that electric vehicles will be the thing for the future so we would like to see a kick start to accelerate the pace for value addition”, he said. He said there is need to drive and support more of local sourcing of raw materials and value addition in various sectors including the timber subsector as well as cotton sub sector in order to do away with second hand clothes.

“We have given many examples to the Ministry of Finance in our submission; we need to see more done in the cotton subsector. Cotton is being exported largely but there is a lot that can be done to add value to cotton and all related textile garments input raw materials that can be sourced locally. We need to begin to produce our own textiles in the country and empower individuals selling second hand clothes”, he said.

He noted that there is need to revise policy measures that have continued inhibiting the growth of the manufacturing sector adding that manufacturers importing goods from outside the country, which are not readily available locally, should be given some relief and not be taxed.

He added that value addition should be accelerated for goods that can be import substituted noting that driving accelerated conversion to value addition would entail the country enjoying all the benefits that come from having value addition premised on local sourcing.

“For those items and equipment that cannot be produced locally in Zambia, there is no harm, let’s continue to import but give some relief measures to allow companies bring these items into the country”, he said.

Sekele said there is need to attract companies that can manufacture goods that the country imports because imports put a lot of pressure on forex, so setting up such companies in the country would reduce the pressure on forex as well as create more jobs and the goods currently being imported would be readily available in the country.

“Poultry industry, we are still importing poultry into the country, dressed chickens, smoked chickens, there is a lot of value addition that can take place in that sub sector”, he said.

He said the association presented the tax policy changes that they would like to see to Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and is hopeful that the minister will step up and ensure to give some relief to the manufacturing sector.

“Once the manufacturing sector is given the needed support and kick start, and particularly value addition that is premised on local sourcing for shared prosperity, there will be more jobs for citizens and we are hoping youths and women find their space as SMEs within the manufacturing sector”, he said.

Copper continue to be exported in semi-processed form, can we attract more upstream companies to locally manufacture electric car components? How can the existing copper wire and cables companies be further supported to grow their share of exports and cut down exports to semi processed copper?

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Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) outgoing President

Agribusiness

Maize exports to continue up to April 2022

The Bumper harvest recorded by Zambia in the 2020/2021 Agro season will enable the country to earn foreign exchange from maize exports for a longer period into first quarter of 2022. The Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) says the maize grain export programme, which commenced on 1^st October 2021 will run up to 30^th April 2022.

The Ministry of Agriculture authorised exports of 450, 000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of maize grain following the stocks monitoring committee meeting held in September this year. There is also more maize that is yet to be mopped up across the country.

Association President Chambuleni Simwinga said 40, 000 MT will be exported in October, 50, 000 MT in November, 60, 000 MT in December this year and 70, 000 MT in January, February and March 2022 with the last quota of 90, 000 MT to be exported in April 2022 in order to facilitate smooth exports.

When asked how Zambian traders can participate, Simwinga said 70% of the maize grain was apportioned to members of GTAZ while 30% was allocated to non-GTAZ members and the export permits for both parcels are being issued through the Zambia Electronic Single Window (ZESW) platform.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Simwinga said non-GTAZ members were allowed to export up to 120 MT per month from 1^st October to 31^st December 2021 and up to 300 MT per month from 1^st January to 30^th April 2022.

He added that non-GTAZ members would apply for their monthly quota on a first come first serve basis, which will be timed by the ZESW platform noting that the association is negotiating to have non-GTAZ members export more quantities than the current allocation.

He noted that the GTAZ secretariat will monthly provide a list of participating companies with corresponding allocations for each monthly parcel adding that the current stock is being exported to Namibia, Botswana and Burundi.

He has thanked government for allowing the association as well as non-members of the association to export maize grain and has pledged to support government.

Simwinga has appealed to government to be consistent when it comes to the export programme because inconsistencies negatively affect the trade relations between the traders and the neighbouring countries.

“We are not trusted by our neighbours in terms of trade, they see us as very inconsistent, we can make deals and they pay us in advance but we fail to supply”, he said.

He said it is important for the technocrats who are still running the ministry in the new government to understand what it is to change the economy, as it is not about being persistent and strangely supportive of the old policies.

He added that proper advice in terms of agriculture policy direction is important as well as an efficient system noting that efficiency is cardinal for the exports to run smoothly and quickly.

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The Bumper harvest recorded by Zambia in

Locally manufactured grain bags shunned in preference for imports

Zambian grain bag suppliers have been blamed for opting to import low quality grain bags at the expense of sourcing them locally and at a higher quality, losing the country the retention of foreign exchange which the economy badly needs.

Strongpak Limited, a Kitwe based manufacturing of grain and other packaging materials says some traders have opted to bring in grain bags from outside the country rather than support local manufacturers who are making the bags locally.

Company Marketing Manager Manish Bhat said the traders are bringing in cheap products that are of low quality at the expense of supporting and promoting locally manufactured grain bags.

Bhat said the company would however continue to provide quality products for people who appreciate value, as the company does not want to compromise on the quality of its products.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Bhat said Strongpak has the biggest capacity in the country to manufacture the grain bags, which it is currently manufacturing without any challenges, but unfortunately, some people choose to import cheap bags from outside.

He noted that the company also manufactures grain bags for the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and has continued to deliver as and when promised without any challenges or delays adding that Strongpak is ahead of other suppliers in terms of delivery.

He mentioned that the company is able to manufacture any quantities of grain bags in order to meet the demand and has continued to deliver the products on time noting that it will continue to provide for people interested in quality not those who want cheap products.

FRA is one of the main buyers of grain bags but they source these from various suppliers some of whom are importing low quality grain bags. Moreover, farmers in rural parts of the country have been caught up in the shortage of grain bags which can easily be manufactured in Kitwe and save the country forex.

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Zambian grain bag suppliers have been blamed

Sekele steps down as ZAM President

Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) President Ezekiel Sekele has stepped down as president of the association.

The outgoing President who succeeded Roseta Chabala in 2019 stepped down on 30 September 2021. Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Sekele said he decided not to go for a second run as he worked hard with his colleagues in the last couple of years and has done the best considering it was a period when there was many policy challenges.

He said the association managed to overcome the challenges and maintained the resilient innovativeness of the manufacturing sector even at a time when the country was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I believe that when one has done his or her best, it’s better to leave when the drums are still being sounded or played on the stage, so I decided to step down”, he said.

Sekele said he would be available to offer any help to his colleagues in order to see to it that they carry forward the vision of the manufacturing sector adding that he was delighted to see that there is a new team of young men and women to move the association forward.

He noted that he was leaving as a happy individual and industry player who will be there to offer guidance and advice to the new team of leaders.

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Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) President Ezekiel

Top global PPE firm – Portwest opens Zambia office

Most Zambian firms have been grappling with quality issues when it comes to Personal Protective Equipments – PPE’s, well, Portwest, a leading global manufacturer and innovator of quality work wear, safety wear and personal protective equipment, established in 1904, from Westport Island has set base in Zambia.

Portwest is the fastest growing work wear company in the world with a global distribution network and customer service staff in over 130 countries.

Country Sales Manager Milton Milimo says the safety company produces everything from work wear such as corporate uniforms and footwear ranging from ordinary to premium wear, which comes from Portwest’s subsidiary company.

Milimo added that Portwest is the mother company with Huski from Australia and Base Protection from Italy being the subsidiary companies among others.

He said the company can produce any quantities of custom-made products adding that it produces various products such as gloves, overalls, boots, trousers and waterproof jackets among others with the focus being on quality of the product, which it provides to its clients noting that the company is willing to match the client’s price.

“We are looking forward to a client coming forward to say this is the price that we have and we match it but quality is what we will provide at all times. We can take a minimum order of 100 with some exceptions where we can make 20 as some type of work wear is very different so because of that we can’t fail to provide the minimal needed”, he said.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Milimo said the company operates on a business-to-business level or with companies and not the consumers and emphasizes on bulk purchases noting that no one can produce the quantities that the company produces on the Zambian market.

Additionally, Portwest can produce any type of work wear and also has a dedicated section for women. The Country sales Manager told ZBT that Portwest is situated everywhere in the world has it has distributors across the country . He noted that the company is bringing quality products into Zambia as most of the industries complain of the quality of personal protective equipment wear being of low quality and easily tearing.

The company has over 4,500 people worldwide; Portwest has a team of world-class designers who specialize in flame-resistant and high-visibility work wear, hand and foot protection, PPE and wearable technology and innovative production and design by an in-house team of experts lies at the heart of the Portwest advantage.

Portwest boasts of being market leaders in safety and the company’s award winning team is constantly researching the latest trends and innovations, which meet and exceed customer’s needs.

The company owns four ultra-modern factories in Bangladesh (x2), Myanmar ,China giving full control over their exceptional quality, lead times and ethical sourcing and Portwest’s reputation for technical know-how, rigorous implementation and attention to style and detail is well proven and consistent colours, fabric qualities, good fit and competitive pricing are taken as a given by customers.

The company has sales offices in six global locations (UK, USA, Australia, UAE, Ireland and Poland) and customer support staff in 130 countries ensure unrivaled customer service is never far away.

In addition, Portwest has six international warehouses (Ireland, UK, USA, Australia, UAE and Poland) with a line fill rate of 97% guaranteeing excellent stock levels at all times and the country gives a no risk proposition in an industry where safety is paramount.

Portwest’s 700 page catalogue is available in 28 languages and features 1350+ safety styles making Portwest a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all safety requirements. Follow link below for more information https://bit.ly/3x5Vm8u or contact Milton Milimo on 0967958571 for more details.

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Most Zambian firms have been grappling with

Agribusiness

Farm blocks activation will make or break ‘UPND’ job creation agenda – IAPRI

By Staff analyst

As much as 422,500 jobs could be created countrywide in the agriculture sector if the new dawn government fully exploits the available farm blocks that could easily absorb unemployed youths and citizens, new IAPRI research shows.

And the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) has warned that if the forthcoming 2022 national budget does to be presented by Situmbeko Musokotwane does not significantly change in terms of increasing investment in improving rural infrastructure, among others, government will fail to solve the high youth unemployment levels in the country.

Speaking during the IAPRI virtual presentation on harnessing employment opportunities in the agriculture sector in Lusaka, IAPRI Research Director, Dr. Antony Chapoto, disclosed that as many as 422,500 jobs could be created if government exploited the existing farm block model to establish and grow employment opportunities in the sector.

Data seen by the Zambian Business Times– ZBT when covering the lengthy presentation delivered to over 80 participants in Lusaka, showed that at least 422,500 jobs could be created in the agriculture sector alone, but only if government properly structured the huge quantity of farm blocks available in the country.

According to Dr. Chapoto’s findings, the potential employment creation on a total land size of 100,000 hectares of farm blocks could generate around 42,250 jobs per province or 422,500 across the 10 provinces of Zambia.

From his conservative assumptions contained in the IAPRI study dubbed, The Burgeoning Youth Population in Zambia: Harnessing Employment Opportunities in the Agriculture Sector, the bare minimum number of jobs created on a 10,000 hectare piece of land would be at least 50 permanent jobs.

“Farm blocks activation offer the best opportunity for job creation in the agriculture sector, and especially for the large and growing unemployed youth segment in Zambia. They provide a vehicle for sustainable rural development with very significant multiplier effect. With vibrant farm blocks, complimentary industries will emerge both formal and informal. A good example in Zambia is the Nakambala Sugar Estate with its offshoot of Kaleya out-grower scheme in Mazabuka,” Dr. Chapoto explained via video link.

“A minimum of one million hectares (10 provinces by 100,000 hectares) of arable land countrywide, if harnessed properly, the farm block design would create thousands of jobs across the country; accelerate agricultural growth; increase agricultural value addition and generate export earnings by attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).”

But the Agro research expert warned that if next year’s budget fails to realign the expenditure priorities in the agriculture sector, the “New Dawn” government’s job creation agenda will fail.

“Everything will be in vain if the composition of the agricultural budget does not change. If it stays the same, I am willing to bet that nothing will change. If we keep on supporting the areas we have been supporting, nothing will change”

“So, it is my hope and prayer that the 2022 agriculture budget will be bold and would make the needed changes. Otherwise, we’ll fail to harness the job potential of the agriculture sector, which we keep in prison! Right now, we are keeping the agriculture sector in prison,” cautioned Dr. Chapoto.

Farm blocks development has been hailed as an excellent way to realize Zambia’s massive Agro potential but successive governments have struggled to attract core venture or anchor farms investments. See ZBT article on challenges of developing farm blocks Nansanga farm block fails to attract anchor agro investor

Perhaps the new dawn administration of United Party for National Development – UPND with its promises for having deeper and high level international business relations would be able to deliver this well know National Agro growth strategic plan.

October 17, 2021

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By Staff analyst As much as 422,500

Sport

Swimming union has spent over $130k on Tilka

Zambia Swimming Union (ZASU) President Guy Phiri says the federation has spent over US$130,000 on Tilka Paljk alone and has raised enough funds to sponsor her if she wishes to compete at the upcoming swimming competition in Ghana next month.

The ZASU president stated that the Union has continued to experience funding challenges like most unions world over, which has led to the union been unable to hold certain events but that it has raised enough funds. He called on Tilka to perhaps manage the support she has received so far better.

Phiri said the union has on going costs but has had very little income therefore the challenge in meeting some costs adding that the union has been unable to operate as normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Phiri said the union is reaching out to government through the National Sports Council of Zambia, and has managed to raise some corporate support through the International Swimming federation and received a US$ 25, 000 grant this year.

He said the union has competed in the last six Olympics and had performed well compared to other countries adding that in 2018, the union won the Southern African Championship among other wins.

Phiri mentioned that the union has spent over US$130, 000 on Tilka Paljk from 2017 to 2021 noting that the federation had taken her for a one-year training in Ohio, money which was raised by the union with the help of international supporters.

“That cost US$ 85, 000, she’s been on a scholarship for the last five years, supported by the International Olympic Committee that pays her a monthly amount of just under a thousand dollars every year so I think she has been funded exceptionally well, I think she needs to manage the support she has better”.

Phiri noted that the union has managed to raise most of the money for Paljk and other athletes in the past as some events are not funded adding that the National Olympics Committee prefunds certain events such as the Olympics.

He said the union has managed to raise enough funds and if Paljk chooses to go to the swimming championships in Ghana next month, the required funds will be available for her to do so.

“Unfortunately we don’t know, we have not been given any information from her coach in South Africa as to whether she is in training or not, we don’t know whether she’s training. We are not really sure whether she will be available but we are sure that during the course of this period, we will raise enough funding for her to attend if she would like to”, he said.

He mentioned that the union has over 400 competitive national swimmers adding that the union has new exciting young swimmers coming up.

When asked what other challenges the sport of swimming is facing in Zambia, Phiri noted that access to swimming pools, development of swimming pools; swimming pools in the right areas and closure of swimming pools have continued to remain a challenge.

“The challenge is that only in more expensive private schools do children have access to swimming pools, we as a federation as part of our strategic plan want to see access in government schools at school level. This is where our next Olympic champions are going to come from, they are not going to come from the private schools”, he said.

October 16, 2021