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Agribusiness

The six families who have been illegally evicted or expelled from the Kaleya Smallholders Company Limited – KASCOL estates following their questioning of illegal share transfers by businessmen believed to be “connected to high offices” are appealing to President Hakainde Hichilema – HH to intervene and ensure that justice and the rule of law prevails

The six families have been expelled from the Mazabuka based Kaleya smallholders estates following  their questioning of what they have described as an illegal share transfer and take over of the company by commercial farmer Costain Chilala and Corporate Executive Munakopya Hantuba.

They are appealing to HH to intervene as all offices in government from the District, Constituency, Provincial and Ministerial level are afraid to attend to them because of the perpetrators of the alleged illegalities (Chilala & Hantuba) are connected to the head of state.

Some of the affected small holder farmers who have invested their lives at the estate who sought anonymity disclosed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, that they have tried to seek audience from the various government and the ruling UPND offices but nothing has been done, the issue is simply being ignored or avoided.

The source told ZBT that the istrict commissioner for Mazabuka has got all the evidence, with all the documentations in place, copies were made avaliable to the DCs office on the illegalities on the acquisition of shares by Chilala and Hantuba.

The source  stated that the provincial administration used to call meetings were the District Commissioner and all the parties involved were being invited including the board of directors for KASCOL and Zambia Sugar.

“It seems there is no office that can take up the matter, it seems we are dealing with people that cannot be take anywhere, people who are untouchable. We have passed through necessary offices who are just quiet or are intimidated to try and resolve the matter”.

“The office of the Mayor, District Commissioner who initially asked for copies have done nothing even after being availed all the evidence. The area Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo who is also the Minister of Local Government openly said “ there is nothing i can do for you, You can you can go to court if you want”, the source said.

And when asked if the small holders famers have attempted to meet with Hantuba and Chilala to iron out the issue, the source stated that, a meeting for consolidation was held before the top six members of KASCOL was held and the farmers presented what needed to be done and the duo [Hantuba &Chilala] acted like they had agreed but went ahead and expelled the top six leaders after the said meeting.

The small holders farmers are appealing for Justice and fair treatment. They said that using the court process is being used against them as they have limited resources to engage lawyers. They have appealed to HH to intervene and not allow people to use his name to commit illegalities and expelled deserving members who have invested their lives by connected people.

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The six families who have been illegally

Companies

The Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA has yet again reported that it has exceeded the mid year revenue collection target by K2.1 billion (about $130 million) but analysts and local business people have expressed concern on whether these collected revenues are being spent in Zambia or are mostly being drained out of the economy through foreign payments.

A random survey by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT reveals that most local businesses, traders and those plying their trade in the informal sector are still experiencing low demand for their goods and services with complaints of “no money” in circulation coming up as a daily challenge.

According to a statement made available to ZBT by ZRA, the tax revenue agency has recorded an above-target revenue performance in the first half of the year 2022 after collecting a net tax outturn of K48 billion against the period target of K46 billion, thereby registering a surplus of K2.1 billion or 5% above target.

Some have alleged that ZRA has become aggressive with local tax collections from local businesses which are already strained due to the liquidity. The Association of Microfinance institutions in Zambia – AMIZ disclosing to ZBT that most loans are being taken for consumption and not investments.

The new dawn UPND appointed Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has been criticized for allowing the deductibility of mineral royalty for corporate income tax assessment purposes for mining companies in Zambia which has resulted in revenue loss of about K3.2 billion ( about $200 million) per annum.

Musokotwane also announced that the new dawn administration has set a target of Zambia producing 3 million tons of copper per annum in the next 10 years (which coincides with two terms of office in government for the UPND).

However, this target of producing 3 million tons of copper per annum has been said to be unrealistic by established mining engineers and mineral exploration experts. The finance minister is yet to share a detailed plan with milestones on how this target would be attained.

The Ministry of Finance and its local government counterpart have been confirming that funds are being remitted into Constituency Development Fund – CDF accounts but a check at Ward and Constituency geographical levels even among ruling UPND connected firms shows that he issue of liquidity and “no money in circulation” keeps popping up.

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The Zambia Revenue Authority - ZRA has

Markets

Oil Marketing Companies Association of Zambia (OMCAZ) says the Energy Regulation Board-ERB should inform the public what formula it is using to come up with the monthly fuel pump prices.

Association President Dr. Kafula Mubanga explained that it is surprising that the fuel pump price has been adjusted upwards when the price of crude oil on the international market was coming down last month adding that as of today, a barrel of crude oil is costing around $105.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mubanga said crude oil prices were around $110 a barrel in May and ERB only increased the price of petrol by K0.80 but now that the crude oil prices are around $105 a barrel, ERB has increased fuel prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene by a bigger margin.

“We really do not know the formula that ERB is using, is it taking the behaviour and the performances of the market towards the end of the month in terms of its final week and that becomes the basis of adjusted prices. We need to all understand where ERB is coming from, is it taking in the pricing towards the end of the month, what formula are they deploying to come up with that, that’s the biggest challenge”, he said.

Mubanga noted that guiding the public on what the ERB puts into consideration when coming up with the prices would assist the public to know what to expect every month unlike the current situation where it seems like ERB determines the price without considering the price of crude oil on the international market.

“So then government must justify this particular adjustment, it should give you a comparative analysis because you will find that this month might be the lowest in terms of crude oil prices on the international market, it doesn’t make sense”, he said.

He noted that the association has written to the Ministry of Finance concerning the institutionalization of a national oil marketing company, which is enforceable by law and will help address the various issues the country is facing as a national oil company holds the rights in as far as expanding the portfolios of exploration of oil and gas is concerned.

“It will also be able to aid ERB and the ministry in as far as pricing structures are concerned, they will have an input and also come up with solutions as a state owned company. It gives it mandate to negotiate with people who can explore gas and oil something that we have not taken keen interest in as a country from the time the reserves were discovered in the country, we do have deposits of oil but we need a political will”, he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Oil Marketing Companies Association of Zambia (OMCAZ)

Mining

The Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia-SSMAZ says small-scale miners are not contributing effectively to the economy because of the high operational costs, which are affecting their production.

Association President Kunda Chani said most of the miners are struggling because of the hiked operational costs noting that the majority of small-scale Zambian miners are not building wealth hence not providing value to the industry.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Chani said most small scale miners are not providing value to the industry because of the hiked pricing in diesel, which has led to downsizing of their workforce leading to increased price of the tools used.

“The biggest challenge that the industry is facing is stunt growth at the moment as the industry is not growing and building wealth thereby not contributing to the economy”, he said.

Chani noted that the production from the small-scale miners has dwindled due to the high operational costs adding that the larger mass of operation in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector is hand to mouth and when the cost of diesel goes up, the miners are greatly affected.

He said the amount of diesel consumed now has increased therefore the profit margins have reduced and cannot sustain the operations.

The association has since appealed to key stakeholders to double their efforts in terms of political will in order to help the miners enhance their operations, which will see the sector grow thereby increasing the growth of the economy.

 

 

 

 

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The Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia-SSMAZ

Markets

The annual inflation rate for June 2022 has reduced to 9.7% from 10.2% recorded in May 2022. This means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 9.7% between June 2021 and June 2022.

Zambia Statistics Agency-ZAMSTATS said the slow down in inflation is mainly because of the price movements in both food and non-food items. Food inflation decreased to 11.9% from 12.3% in May 2022 while non-food inflation decreased to 6.9% from 7.5% in May 2022.

ZAMSTATS-Interim Statistician General Mulenga Musepa however noted that annual inflation for June 2022 increased for Lusaka (8.2% from 8.0%), Northwestern (13.9% from 13.2%) and Southern (10.9% from 10.5%) provinces.

According to information made available to the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Musepa said total trade in May 2022 decreased by 6.9% to K31.2 billion compared to K33.6 billion in May 2021 and a trade surplus of K3.4 billion was recorded in May 2022 indicating a 14.1% decrease from a surplus of K3.9 billion in April 2022.

Musepa mentioned that the reduction in the trade surplus was driven by an increase in imports noting that imports increased by 12.2% to K13.9 billion in May 2022 from K12.4 billion in April 2022 adding that the increase in imports was mainly on account of 18.4% and 23.1% increases in import earning from raw materials and intermediate goods respectively.

He explained that exports increased by 5.9% to K17.3 billion in May 2022 from K16.3 billion in April 2022 and the increase was mainly on account of 15.9% and 5.8% increases in export earnings from raw materials and intermediate goods, respectively.

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The annual inflation rate for June 2022

Agribusiness

The National Union for Small Scale Farmers in Zambia-NUSFAZ says it is surprising to hear government say it will increase the number of fertiliser bags farmers will receive in the 2022/2023 agriculture season from four to six.

Government announced that it has increased the amount of fertiliser bags that farmers will receive under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in the 2022/2023 agriculture season from four to six bags.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Union Executive Director Ebony Loloji said according to the information that the union has, farmers were receiving six bags of fertilizer last season.

“I thought that in the last season they were giving six and then the report that we are getting is that they are increasing from four to six, they are saying last time they were getting four but from the information that we have, last season the farmers were getting six”, he said.

Loloji has appealed to government to address all the issues surrounding the implementation of FISP adding that the programme has been characterised by many flaws such as ineligible people accessing the inputs.

“Our appeal is that in as much as they are saying they have increased the fertiliser allocation to the beneficiaries, it is also important that all the loopholes are sealed. So that the correct beneficiaries are able to get the correct number of bags which is six bags, three D compound and three top dressing”, he said.

“It has reached an extent where cadres were getting fertilizer, other people would get it and sell it meanwhile the real beneficiaries, people entitled to this programme were walking away with one or two bags which should not be the case”, he said.

He said this would ensure that farmers are empowered adding that they will be in a position to produce more for the country.

 

 

 

 

 

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The National Union for Small Scale Farmers

Tech

Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu has disclosed that government does not intend to privatise Zamtel.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Habeenzu said the company has continued to make losses but the ministry is working to change the narrative noting that government has plans to make entities such as Zamtel profit making so they can be self-sustaining.

Habeenzu explained that Zamtel currently needs an injection of about $260 million for recapitalization adding that government is not happy with the way the company is operating.

“They are telling me that it is because they are in areas which are underserved and unserved areas where it is not profitable but they have continued to be there because they are a government entity and they have to serve those areas”, he said.

The Permanent Secretary however mentioned that government has not prescribed any solutions so far but stressed that all the rumors going round that government has privatised Zamtel are false.

“We have not prescribed any solutions so far as government. Those rumors that are going round to say government has decided to privatise Zamtel are not true, what has then been decided is that we are going to find a solution together with the private sector through the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF)”, he said.

He noted that Zamtel is unable to help drive the digital transformation agenda, which needs a minimum of 746 towers in order to cover 96% of the country, which includes data.

Habeenzu added that under the digital transformation strategy, government intends to put as many services as possible online so that efficiency can be improved as well as effective service delivery, which as a result will see growth in the economy.

 

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Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary

Companies

Zambeef Products has appointed Faith Mukutu as its new Chief Executive Officer-CEO with effect from July 1, 2022.

Mukutu becomes the first Zambian CEO in the 28-year history of Zambeef, which is listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange and the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.

According to a statement seen by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mukutu replaces Walter Roodt, who will remain on the Zambeef Board in a strategic role overseeing the company’s US$100 million expansion plans that will see cropping at its Mpongwe farms double and a resulting knock-on effect on efficiency and production throughout its value chain.

Mukutu (41) takes the top position as Zambia’s favourite integrated food producer and retailer enters a period of expansion that aims to support national and regional food security.

“Zambeef is a home-grown world-class company that has set a new standard in food production and retailing, creating thousands of jobs and supporting our farmers throughout the country. I am thus immensely proud that the board has given me this opportunity to take the company to the next level”, said Mukutu.

“It is a role I will approach with dedication and a sense of duty to build on the legacy of one of the nation’s flagship companies”, she added.

An accountant by training, Mukutu joined Zambeef in 2019 as Chief Financial Officer, having previously been Finance Director of three listed entities: Zambian Breweries Plc, National Breweries Plc and Zambia Sugar Plc. The Appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer will be announced in due course.

“The Board is confident that Faith’s combination of financial aptitude, operational skill, strategic flair and capital markets experience is fundamental to delivering the strategic imperatives the company has embarked on”, said Board Chairman Michael Mundashi.

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Zambeef Products has appointed Faith Mukutu as

Agribusiness

The Small Scale Farmers Development Agency-SAFADA says the increase in the production of sunflower is as a result of farmers wanting to diversify and grow crops that can earn them more income.

According to information made available to the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, by the Zambia Statistics Agency-ZAMSTATS, sunflower production is expected to increase from 75, 142 metric tonnes in the 2020/2021 farming season to 80, 164 metric tonnes in the 2021/2022 farming season.

SAFADA Executive Director Boyd Moobwe explained that very few farmers are growing sunflower due to the poor market system adding that currently, there are few companies buying sunflower compared to the many that used to buy the crop years ago.

In an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Moobwe said one of the reasons there is a poor market for sunflower is because most processors choose to extract edible oils from other crops such as soyabeans.

Moobwe mentioned that when considering what crops to grow, farmers consider the yield of a crop as well as inputs so that they can realise as much income as possible when they sell the produce noting that farmers can harvest between 1.2 tons to 2.8 tons of sunflower per hectare.

“Although in Zambia traditionally, you hear farmers saying you don’t need fertilizer, it will grow by itself and then the yield will be poor, there is poor management and due to that farmers drag behind and say this is not good to grow”, he said.

He noted that the prices are also discouraging but when compared to maize, sunflower is better adding that most farmers prefer to grow soya beans over sunflower as it fetches more money.

“For soya beans you produce about 8 tons per hectare, you get a lot of good money, the price is atleast better than maize, better than sunflower. Maize is now discouraging them because of too much politics in it, maize being a staple food is quite political but soya beans, sunflower and other crops, there is nothing like government trying to intervene”, he said.

Moobwe said he is hopeful that the production of sunflower will increase in the near future as people try to get back to organic foods because sunflower does not require a lot of chemicals like groundnuts unlike other crops like cotton and tobacco, which require a lot of chemicals.

 

 

 

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The Small Scale Farmers Development Agency-SAFADA says

Mining

The Association of Zambian Women in Mining-AZWIM has appealed to government to consider a reduction in tax collections from small-scale miners.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Association President Grace Njapau expressed concern over small-scale miners paying the same taxes as big mines noting that this is disadvantaging small-scale miners.

Njapau said some miners in the association are failing to excel in the mining sector, as they are required to pay huge taxes like big mining companies.

“Our people are failing because they are comparing us to Lumwana, Kansanshi, First Quantum Minerals and these other big mines. We are ready to pay taxes but at a minimal because we are
small and we don’t have machinery like the big mines”, she said.

She explained that the association understands that all miners have to pay taxes as required by law but government should put into consideration the fact that the women are mining on a small-scale level.

The President of the association also mentioned that government should ensure that foreign companies coming into Zambia abide by the rules of the country and not what has been the case.

Njapau expressed concern over some companies that are running away from paying taxes, which has negatively affected the country adding that everyone in the mining sector should be accounted for and should pay tax as required by law.

 

 

 

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The Association of Zambian Women in Mining-AZWIM