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Agribusiness

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA)has challenged Millers to adhere to the tripartite agreement and ensure that there is a steady supply of mealie meal on the market pegged at the recommended prices.

FRA has confirmed that they have released a total of fifty seven thousand nine hundred and eight-seven metric tonnes (57, 987 MTs) of white maize under the Tripartite Agreement maize program signed with the Millers association of Zambia (MAZ) and the Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ).

FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT through a statement on March 17, 2020 that the 57,987 MTs released was out of a total of seventy-one thousand, six hundred and eight nine point nine one metric tonnes (71, 689.91 MTs) of white maize that the Agency is required to contribute to the Tripartite Agreement.

Chipandwe explained that the released quantity was as at Friday 13th March 2020 and implies that the Agency still has a balance of thirteen thousand, seven hundred and three metric tonnes (13,703 MTs) of maize yet to be released to Millers covered under the Tripartite Agreement.

‘‘The Agency further wishes to state that, the total maize allocation under the Tripartite Agreement was two hundred and ninety-three thousand, six hundred and forty-three point five metric tonnes (293, 643.05 MTs). Out of which two hundred and twenty-one thousand, nine hundred and fifty-three point fourteen (221, 953.14 MTs), was an allocation to be contributed by the GTAZ with their own maize,’’ he said.

And Chipandwe said the maize allocations have not yet been depleted and that the mealie meal shortage was artificial, contrary to speculations that the maize allocation under the tripartite agreement had run out. He said the Agency, GTAZ and MAZ still has enough Maize.

Members of the public have raised concern with FRA and the parties to the tripartite agreement and called for an inquiry to ensure that the erring parties are taken to task and appropriate legal action taken.

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The Food Reserve Agency (FRA)has challenged Millers

Agribusiness

The Food Reserve Agency – FRA has confirmed that the country has enough Maize. A check by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT with the Food Reserve Agency – FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe who exclusively revealed that the country has enough maize stocks and that the FRA has continued to offload enough Maize to Millers.

In November last year, government through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), entered into an agreement, with the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) and the Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) in an effort to fight the escalating price of the staple food in the country.

This agreement which is referred to as the tripartite agreement, with government spokesperson and information minister Dora Siliya explaining that the Agreement involved the FRA releasing about 196,000 metric tones of maize to cushion the high mealie meal prices.

Siliya at the time said that the agreement should result in wholesale price of roller meal at K125.00 and breakfast meal at K136.00 by the 38 milling companies engaged by the government. She said government is concerned with the high food prices in the country hence the reduction in the staple food.

However, this has not been the case with the situation on the ground, as the price of the staple food has now skyrocketed to between K185 to K210 per 25 kg bag in some parts of the country.

The question is, what is causing this hike in the price of the commodity, because some authorities have ruled that there is enough grain in the country but that the millers are not offloading on the market hence causing a shortage. It is also alleged that retailers are now taking advantage of the situation and are pricing the commodity at their own preferred amount.

In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Grain Traders Association of Zambia- GTAZ Executive Director Chambuleni Simwinga explained that it has been difficult to deal with retailers who price the mealie meal according to their own interest.

“It is very difficult dealing with human beings. The issue of managing the price at consumer level is not possible unless there is a tag on the bag that’s when we can be able to contain the situation, because millers are suppling the Chain Stores who are adhering to the right price, but still retailers are buying in bulk and reselling at higher price,’’ he said.

Simwinga said the intentions of the Agreement have not yet been met because of some short comings such as the price hike in electricity tariffs, the introduction of new labour laws on the workers’ wages and the general behavior of people involved in the selling of the commodity.

He has since called on the government to quickly mitigate the crises’which has seen a 25 kg bag of mealie meal price soar in some parts of the country. effort to get a comment from Millers Association of Zambia proved futile as the phone went unanswered.

Over the weekend, Lusaka province minister Bowman Lusambo took a tour in Shoprite stores around the city of Lusaka to check on the situation and found some youths buying mealie meal in bulk.

When asked, the youths stated that they were buying for home consumption but the Shoprite Stores manager in Matero, Patricia Lungu revealed the youths were buying in bulk to resale to the Rwandese businesses who are later selling the staple food at a higher price.

Calls for the review of the tripartite agreement operations have increased as the offloaded maize at a lower price point is now not reaching the intended consumers.

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The Food Reserve Agency - FRA has

Agribusiness

Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) has weighed in and supported the proposal to have millers who are buying maize from FRA at subsidized price to print a price tag on the bag of a mealie meal, to prevent creation of a black market and cushion the escalating price of mealie meal.

In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, GTAZ Executive Director Chambuleni Simwinga said putting of price tag on the bag is the way to go, to avoid self-prescribed price by the different retailers who are taking advantage of the situation.

“The Tripartite agreement between FRA, GTAZ and the Millers was well coordinated and was done in good faith to reduce the escalating price of the commodity, but it is very difficult when you are dealing with human beings. It is not easy to control the retailers on the right price they are supposed to sell the 25 kg bag, so measure for monitoring need to be put in place’’ said Simwinga.

He said that when the tripartite agreement was made, we also need to take into consideration what the millers are going through, that at that time, there was no hikes in electricity tariffs which is now in place, this hike has now affected the cost of production by the Millers.

Moreover, the newly implemented employment code act and other new labour laws, these have further caused an increase in the cost of production which was also not the case when the tripartite agreement was signed. This has also contributed to the increase in the pricing of the commodity.

Simwinga explained that the factory pricing of a 25 kg bag of mealie meal was agreed at about K130 but that the retail pricing is being exaggerated by some retailers and those that are buying at the recommended prices and later reselling at their own prices, saying the price tag will help reduce the high price of the staple food on the market.

The price of a 25 bag of mealie meal has continued to increase in most parts of the country with some retail outlets a 25kg bag of breakfast mealie meal from K220 to about K185 respectively. The escalating price of mealie meal has so far let to the suspension of stock feed exports to stem maize outflows as an immediate measure.

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Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ) has

Companies

The Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection – JCTR’s Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket – BNNB which measures the cost of living for a family of 5 stood at K7, 015.90 for the month of February 2020, recording a 5.33 percent decline from K7, 410.96 in January 2020.

The basket between January and February 2020 reduced by K395.06, however, when compared to same month February 2019, the basket stood at K5, 331.12, which is an increase year on year of about 32%.

JCTR stated that the drop in the February 2020 food basket was mainly attributed to a reduction in the prices of food items such as fresh fruit snd vegetables which reduced from K669.77 in January to K391.00 in February for a monthly requirement of 40kg.

Other fruits also reduced from K439.93 to K369.04, kapenta reduced from K299.07 to K202.73, onion moved from K150.88 to K58.19 and tomatoes prices reduced from K118.58 to K60.92.

JCTR communications officer Enock Ngoma has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on March 6, 2020 that the price reduction in the noted food items is attributed to the favourable rainfalls that the country has experienced in the past months which led to an increase in the production of fruits and vegetables making them readily available and affordable.

“The reduction in the price of kapenta can be attributed to the lift of the fish ban on Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika”. In February 2019, kapenta again recorded a K45.33 price decline.

In the February 2020 food basket, a few items, however, recorded price increases. The price of soya pieces increased to K128.85 in February from K83.50 in January 2020. The price of eggs also moved up from K83.11 to K95.14 for the same time period,” he added.

JCTR therefore notes with concern that the reduction in the cost of living may not be sustained as this may be because food items such as vegetables contributing to this reduction are greatly affected by seasonality and the amount of rainfall that the country records.

The center has since reiterated the need for Government to increase resource allocation and commitment to a more sustainable climate resilient agriculture sector adding that this will significantly contribute to more consistent supply of some foods and help keep prices low.

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The Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection -

Tech

Government has warned social media and Internet ‘abusers’ that it has put in place measures and installed equipment that enables the information communication technology – ICT regulator – ZICTA and law enforcement agencies like the Police to track down suspects.

However, when the Zambian Business Times – ZBT reached out to ZICTA to confirm the installation of new equipment to track down social media abuse suspects as well as set up of a joint cyber crime detection team, the ICT regulator referred all queries on this matter to the Zambia Police, who could also not confirm by press time.

In his State of the Nation – SONA address, President Edgar Lungu stated that as of 30th September 2019, Zambia had an estimated 9.1 million active internet users, representing an internet penetration rate of 52.2 percent. This is above the African continental average of 35.9 percent.

The Republican president noted that the digital era has rapidly changed the way business, politics, education, careers and much more are conducted hence has positively and in some way negatively impacted morality and ethics in many people.

He said others can easily access useful information that is helpful to their businesses, careers or education while some people use this technology to violate human rights and to commit crime.

The Zambian president warned against social media abuse saying culprits of these indiscretions will be tracked down and brought to book with the coordination of the information technology regulator [ZICTA] and the police.

“Formulation of stringent laws and enforcement could deter some of our people in the habit of circulating inappropropriate materials. Yet again, social media abuse is in fact getting worse by the day. Have we not seen pictures of accident victims being splashed on social media? Have we not seen pictures of human beings being stoned and burnt, lately on social media? The abuse of social media is real and the battle is far from being won, however all is being done to ensure law and order in the country” he added.

President Lungu further disclosed that a training of more Zambian police officers in cyber-crime prevention, detection and forensic investigation has been undertaken. In 2019, sensitization programmes on the appropriate use of social media were conducted in 70 secondary schools, covering 15 districts in western and copperbelt provinces.

The head of state is encouraged that these programs targeted at pupils, teachers and other members of staff and district education boards have progressed well. He said that a survey by the information technology regulator – ZICTA indicated that schools are responding positively to these interventions.

So far, a media statement has been availed to ZBT to confirm that a combined team of Zambia Police and ZICTA have managed to track down some suspects behind some fake Facebook profiles that had been created and used to spread hate speech and insult the head of state. The tracking down was also extended to what’s app group administrators were phonographic materials had been circulated with some arrests also been reported and confirmed by Police spokesperson, Esther Katongo.

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Government has warned social media and Internet

Tech

ZESCO has announced a continued power management programme, which is currently between 10 and 12 hours daily until a review is conducted at the end of April 2020 as water levels at Kariba are still low.

The power utility has further indicated that the progress of completion of the Kafue gorge lower project is also likely to be affected as several expatriates from Chinese firm building a new 750 Megawatts power station had not returned from holiday due to Coronavirus,

The power utility firm has explained that power generation at Kariba dam is still restricted due to the low water levels attributed to the reduced inflows into the lake despite the rains that the country has experienced this season.

ZESCO Director of Corporate Services Patrick Mwila today 13 March 2020 held a press briefing and confirmed that the deal to import 300 MW from South Africa’s Eskom had expired and the utility firm has no current plans of renewing.

He said that Zesco is now relaying on short-term power imports from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to plug the deficit, which is currently at about 810 Megawatts.

“What is allocated for power generation by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), is 22 billion cubic meters, which we share with Zimbambwe. So it means we have 11 billion cubic meters as Zambia and we have already used 2.7 billion cubic meters which is representing 25% of the water for this year”, said Mwila.

And at the same event, Director for Power generation Fidelis Mubiana said that it is important that the water resources is prudently managed to guarantee continued power generation. He added that several expatriates from Chinese firm building a new 750 Megawatts power station had not returned from holiday due to Coronavirus travel challenges, saying that is likely to affect the progress of the project.

ZESCO Public Relations Manager Hazel Zulu, had earlier told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, on March 13th 2020, that load shedding of up to 12 hours daily remains critical to protect the power system from collapse and ensure the available power is shared equitably, and generation is sustained into the next rainy season.

She stated that “We need to appreciate that due to the severe draught that was experienced in the previous season, the water that was allocated by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), for power generation was depleted leaving the Kariba dam at its all-time low,’’ she said.

Zulu explained that as at 12th March 2020, the water levels at Kariba was at 12% full compared with 42.99% full at the same time last year. She said that the capacity of the lake is 69% full, implying that the water levels are significantly low.

“It is, therefore, imperative to note that despite the 2020 rainfall projections of normal to above normal rainfall for the Kariba upper catchment area, the dam may not record a significant increase in the water levels. We continue to urge our customers to consistently use power prudently by employing energy efficient initiatives such as using alternative sources of lighting like energy saving bulbs and solar, completely switching off appliances when not in use, using solar geysers for heating and gas for cooking,’’ added Zulu.

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ZESCO has announced a continued power management

Lifestyle

Zambia Breweries, a local unit for global brewing giant, AB InBev has set to spend close to US$300,000 (about K4.5 million) in this year’s Zambia’s greatest and most progressive music festival, – the Mosi Day of Thunder set for May 23, 2020.

The music festival which is now in its fifth year of running will be held at Livingstone Villa Grounds in the country’s tourist capital over the Africa Freedom Day long weekend.

In keeping with Mosi Premium lager’s “We are Zed” theme, the music experience will champion Zambian artists, with this year’s main guest artist Sampa the Great, joining a star-studded local line-up including Slapdee, Macky 2, Jay Rox, Yo Maps, Natasha Chansa and Dope Boys amongst the artists, supported by the country’s leading DJs.

Speaking during the media launch of the Mosi Day of Thunder on March 13, 2020, attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Zambia Breweries country head of marketing Sibajene Munkombwe disclosed that setting up a music festival is a way of supporting and promoting progressive and trendsetting Zambian music that is breaking new grounds.

“Having more Zambian artistes perform at the country’s biggest music extravaganza is in line with the “We are Zed” campaign launched by Mosi Premium Lager in October last year that celebrates the best of our local talent,” he said.

Sampa the Great – real name Sampa Tembo – is a Zambian songwriter and rapper raised in Botswana and based in Australia and will be joined by guest artist Prince Kaybee from South Africa, bringing the number of guest artists to two, for the first time in the Mosi Day of Thunder history.

“Zambian Breweries and music share one thing: bringing people together and inspiring them to do more. We pride ourselves in seeing people enjoy a good time in a good environment with good music and the best beverages,” Munkombwe added.

At the same event, Zambia Breweries Chief Executive Officer Jose Moran disclosed that the $ 300, 000 set to be invested in this year’s festival covers for the artist’s fees, artist’s accommodation and the set-up of the whole event.

The Mosi Day of Thunder has become one of the highlights of the African musical calendar, making this an annual pilgrimage to Livingstone and bringing an array of local and regional tourists.

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Zambia Breweries, a local unit for global

Markets

Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has urged government to establish an effective tracking and tracing system for easy monitoring and investigations of illicit trade of Tobacco, as over 400 million cigarettes enter the country illegally.

During the policy launch and briefing on the Illicit Tobacco Trade Study and Tobacco Taxation Study held on March 11, 2020, attended by Zambian Business Times-ZBT, CTPD acting executive director Moscane Hampongo said the two briefs are particularly significant in view of the fact that Tobacco in Zambia kills over 7,000 people annually.

He added that consuming of Tobacco in Zambia is a serious problem as the youths and adolescents are increasingly engaging in its consumption, as more than 400 million cigarettes a year enter the market illicitly.

“According to the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa (2016), in Zambia, more than 400 million cigarettes a year enter the market illicitly smuggled, counterfeited or tax evaded which accounts for 30 percent of the product on the market”, said Hampongo.

He said it is unfortunate to note that Zambia is currently among the countries with the highest rates of illicit Tobacco Trade in Southern Africa and the cost of the Tobacco related illness on the public health system is in excess of K2 billion.

Hampongo further explained that estimates indicate that illegal quantities of cigarettes in Zambia are costing the country and revenue authorities over k50 million revenue losses each annually.

Speaking at the same event, CTPD senior researcher Bright Chizonde, revealed that in 2010, Zambia was ranked as the 5th Largest African exporter of Tobacco, with an annual export value of over US$110 million which accounts for only 0.9% of Gross Domestic Product compared to 3% of GDP for Malawi.

Chizonde however, said the Tobacco Industry in Zambia contends that the most notable contribution of Tobacco to the economy is it’s contributions in terms of employment.

“The tobacco industry claims direct employment in the sub-sector is about 450,000 people, and that the majority of which are in the rural areas. During the period 2013 to 2018, the Zambian government collected K904 million (about US$60 million)”.

Illegal entry of Tobacco and cigerattes deprived and constricts the market for local producers. Zambia now has local cigarette manufacturing facilities at the Lusaka South Multi facility economic zone.

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Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD)

Tech

National Action for Quality Education in Zambia-NAQUEZ, has expressed disappointment that the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) has abandoned more than 2000 teachers it promised to sponsor for training at DMI St. Eugene University.

In a statement to Zambian Business Times- ZBT, on March 11, 2020, NAQUEZ executive director Aaron Chansa, reveals that in 2014, the Ministry of General Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DMI St. Eugene University for teacher training. He said this understanding was to the effect that the University was to train more than 2000 government teachers in Mathematics and Sciences.

‘‘The training was to be fast tracked in order for the government to mitigate the acute shortages of Maths and Science teachers the country. The degree program was to take three (3) years and all the fees were to be settled by the Ministry itself,’’ said Mr Chansa.

He said shockingly, the Ministry stopped paying fees on behalf of the teachers just after the second semester, but DMI St. Eugene University continued to provide the service until the teachers completed the scheduled training in 2017, and no one has graduated from the 2000 educators because the University has withheld their certificates.

Chansa has since called on the MoGE to explain why it abandoned the said students. He said the ministry should also explain why a lot of deserving teachers have stopped receiving responsibility allowances saying if the situation will not be remedied quickly, it has great potential to further disorient thousands of teachers in the country.

‘‘It is difficult to believe that the whole of Ministry of General Education would craft an MoU, round up 2000 teachers from the ten provinces but abandon them along the way. This is because we honestly expect the Ministry to be in the forefront of motivating teachers in the country,’’ added Mr Chansa.

By press time, ZBT had not managed to get a formal response from the Ministry of General education.

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National Action for Quality Education in Zambia-NAQUEZ,

Companies

The Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA has warned the public against paying money to fake agents posing as agents for Senior Government officials or the Commissioner General to facilitate some tax settlement with the Authority.

ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda says no member of the public should pay money to anyone in the name of the Commissioner General, or any senior government official.

This come to light after receiving several complaints that there have been people that are swindling unsuspecting members of the public that they have been sent by Senior Government officials or the Commissioner General to facilitate some tax settlement with the ZRA.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda, the commissioner has reminded all taxpayers that any tax owed to the Authority should be paid directly to ZRA using online platforms, the Banks or directly at the ZRA cash office.

“If anyone is found impersonating me or claiming to be an agent from the Authority or any senior government official, once found, they will be prosecuted. Am also urging members of the public to report such people to the Authority or the security wings,” he said.

He has further encouraged all members of the public who are importing or paying taxes to ensure that they do not make any payments to agents whom they do not have official commercial contracts with.

All importers especially those importing vehicles and other materials should always ensure that they get assessments from their agents and all payments to be done directly to the Zambia Revenue Authority.

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The Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA has