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Zambian Government to Lobby for the Protection of Farmers Against Tobacco Ban

Friday, November 5, 2010

Zambian Government to Lobby for the Protection of Farmers Against Tobacco Ban

The Zambian government says it will use its position on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control-FCTC as party to the World Health Organization (WHO) working on articles 17 and 18 to lobby for the protection of farmers and encourage further studies and research on the articles.

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Eustarckio Kazonga said this yesterday when he officiated at the breakfast meeting held at Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka for high commissioners and ambassadors accredited to Zambia. The meeting as also attended by the Tobacco Association of Zambia, resentatives of the British American Tobacco and senior government officials from the ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

The Implication of the FCTC is the ban on production, processing and use of certain types of tobacco such as barley in the world. Dr Kazonga noted that the tobacco industry has contributed significantly to the to the country’s economy as seen in the 2010 tobacco marketing season where a total of over 98 million United States Dollars was realized through the sale of over 39 million kilograms. During the same year, the sector employed more than 450,000 people.

Dr Kazonga further added that the implications of the FCTC if implemented will cause damage not only to the farm households that depend on the crop, but the economies of the countries whose strength is in tobacco production and trade.

In the recent past there has been anti-tobacco that has mushroomed to which the WHO through the FCTC has embarked to destabilize the supply chain of tobacco.

Contributed by: Christopher Mbewe

ZARI Key Projects Report 2010

Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) has undertaken quite a good number of donor funded projects for a good number of years since its inception. The following is an extract of the report submitted by ZARI to the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture on the current project activities undertaken by the institution.


Projects in ZARI

The following Table highlights some Key Projects which are undertaken with funding from collaborating partners

No	Title of Programme / Province located	Donor	Duration	Geographical Coverage	Amount Spent
1	Agriculture Development Support Programme (ADSP);	World Bank	2007 - 2012	Country wide	US$ 380,671
2	Vulnerability and Resilience of Social – Ecological Systems;	RIHN	2007-2012	Southern (Sinazongwe) and Eastern (Petauke)	US$ 47,310.66
3	Food Crop Diversification Project (FODIS);	Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA)	2007-2011	Western, Southern, Eastern and Lusaka Provinces	ZMK 700,000,000
5	Fertilizer use and liming recommendations for sustainable crop production in smallholder agriculture in Zambia;	Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)	2010-2013	Eastern, Southern, Northern and Central Provinces	US$ 458,933
6	Integrating Grain Legumes in Maize Based Systems for Improved Soil Health, Food Security and Incomes by Smallholder Farmers in Zambia	Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)	2010-2013	Eastern, Southern, Northern and Central Provinces)	US$ 1,081,269
7	Development And Promotion of Rice Blast Resistant and Soil Acidity Tolerant Upland Rice Varieties for Sustainable Food Security, Nutrition and Household Incomes in Zambia)	Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)	2010-2013	Western, Eastern and Northern Provinces	US$ 185,000

No	Title of Programme / Province located	Donor	Duration	Geographical Coverage	Amount Spent
8	Support an on-going learning process through collection of data on framework conditions of the cotton sector, qualitative data through focus groups, and quantitative data from small monitoring surveys	National Opinion Research Council (NORC)	2010-2011	Eastern Province	US$ 88,015
9	Small scale cassava processing and vertical integration of the cassava sub-sector in Southern and Eastern Countries – Phase II	International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)	2010-2013	Lusaka, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces	US$ 450,000
10	Development of an Effective Information Flow Network for ZARI	International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)	2005-2011	Lusaka and Kasama	€129,000
11	Zambia Agriculture Research for Development Information Network	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)	2009-2010	Country wide	US$47.015
12	Promotion of Science and Technology for Agricultural Development in Africa (PSTAD)	Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA)	2010-2012	Country wide	US$160,290
13	Building Adaptive Capacity to cope with increasing vulnerability due to climate change	IDRC	2008-2011	Sinazongwe and Monze	US$ 170,000
14	INTSORMIL Seed Multiplication Project	INTSORMIL	1995-2015	Lusaka, Central, Eastern &  Luapula Provinces	US$ 25,000
15	Biofortified Maize for Improved Human Nutrition	Harvest Plus	2009-2014	Central Province (Chibombo)	US$ 50,000
16	New Seed Initiative for Maize in Southern Africa	Rockefeller Foundation, Swiss Development Corporation, USAID	2006-2011	Lusaka, Central, Northern, Eastern, Luapula and Southern Provinces	US$ 15,000
17	Breeding and Germplasm Enhancement	SARRNET	2008-2011	Eastern and Luapula provinces	US$ 10,000
18	Plant Genetic Resources	SPGRC	1990-2009	Lusaka and Luapula provinces	US$ 60,000
19	Facilitating the widespread adoption of conservation Agriculture in Maize Based Systems in Eastern and Southern Africa	Germany BMZ	2007-2012	Lusaka, Southern and Central Provinces	US$30,000

SADC To Harmonise Certified Seed Release in the SADC Region

In order to harmonise the Seed Variety Release in the SADC region the countries involved will be using a regional system for variety release. The SPEARS Project has developed a procedural manual based on process management, a tool widely utilized in the public and private sector to streamline operations. It describes the procedures of how applicants may register a new variety that is to be marketed in the SADC region. It also describes the activities defining the “who”, “what”, “when”, “where” and the sequence that should be followed. The activities are directly linked with the flowchart that reflects a visual representation of each procedure.
PROCEDURE MANUAL
AGEEMENT

Field Day at National Irrigation Research Station 29th September 2010

For all who are interested in there will be a field day in Nanga, at the National Irrigation Research Station. You will get to see reseach on vegetables and fruit trees as well as research on irrigated maize. The sorghum Breeding programme and the JICA-FoDiS Project will have a few things to show as well.

ZARI and ZAWA partner for SCGIS- Zambia Chapter

A new body of professionals concerned with geographical information systems (GIS), dubbed the Society for conservation GIS (SCGIS)- Zambia Chapter, is in the offing. SCGIS was originally conceived by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) of the United States of America (USA), in 1995, and has a current total membership running in thousands.

The SCGIS-Zambia Chapter initiative came into being in August, 2009, when scientists and other users of GIS from the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) came together and proposed the formation of a body of  professionals affiliated to SCGIS. 

The objectives of the organisation are to promote and create awareness among various stakeholders and users of geographical information systems, and share latest information, pertaining to the use of the GIS. 

Though membership is currently drawn from ZARI and ZAWA, other users and would-be users of GIS from all sectors of the economy, including students from elementary schools, colleges and universities are encouraged to join. Corporate membership is especially encouraged.

So far, the Zambia Chapter has instituted an executive, with a Mr. Sesele B. Sokotela, a soil survey scientist from ZARI, as its interim President, Mr Chaka of ZAWA, as Secretary General, and a Ms.Grace of The Surveyor General's Office, as its Treasurer. The organisation also boasts of an executive board, with the ZAWA  directorate as its current patron.

Since its inception in August, 2009 the SCGIS - Zambia Chapter has conducted a series of awareness meetings countrywide, and recently managed to send a representative to the Annual ESRI Congress in the USA and Canada.

DED, a Germany-based company currently promoting the use of GIS in Zambia is one of the first organisations to partner with the SCGIS-Zambia Chapter. DED is currently preparing to launch the ArchGIS Version 10.  

Job Advertisement: ZARI, Mt. Makulu Central Research Station, Chilanga

Vacancy Announcement:

1. Research Associate - Cassava Processing  Project (1)
2. Agricultural Markets Economist - Cassava processing Project (1)

(1). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of Research Associate for the small-scale cassava processing projects in East and Southern Africa.

IITA is a non-profit organization based in Africa. It works with national institutions to increase food production in tropical Africa. IITA is implementing a project titled ‘Small-scale cassava processing and vertical integration of the cassava subsector in Eastern and Southern Africa - Phase II’.  The project is funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) with counterpart contributions from IITA, the national institutions and stakeholders in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia.  The project will develop the income generating potential of cassava by capitalizing on the existing, but unexploited, and profitable market opportunities for cassava derivative products in cassava growing communities in the three project countries.

Position: IITA seeks applications from qualified candidates to assist the national coordinator in Zambia in the management of the project. He/she will work with other national partners, cassava stakeholders and other colleagues to develop the income generating potentials of cassava in Zambia.

Duty Station: Mt. Makulu Research station, Chilanga. The candidate must be willing to be relocated to the location where the cassava processing enterprises will be implemented within Zambia.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibilities will include:

·         Assist the National Coordinator in the management of project activities.

·         Ensure proper implementation of all project activities through constant personal involvement in the implementation and monitoring of activities on behalf of the national project coordinator.

·         Assist the national project coordinator in assembling technical and financial reports of the project and submitting to the project regional office in a timely fashion.

·         Assemble and maintain all scientific databases collected during project activities and submit to the project regional office after approval of the national project coordinator.

·         Maintain database of all stakeholders encompassing all sections of the cassava sub-sector including their interests and involvement in the cassava value chain.

·         Assist the national coordinator to liaise with the project regional office for the purpose of project monitoring and evaluation, preparation and execution of annual programs at national level,

·         Assist the national project coordinator in organizing training, workshops, and seminars in relation to the project objectives.

• Carry out other activities as required regularly by the national project coordinator and the regional project coordinator.

Educational requirements: The candidate should have at least a Master of Science degree in Economics (special skills in development, behavioral or impact economics), Rural Sociology, Food Technology, or Agronomy

Other requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Proficiency in research report writing or evidence of peer-reviewed publication
• Familiarity with cassava production systems in Zambia. 
• Proven skills and experience in agriculture research both in the field and the laboratory.
• Computer literacy, financial and statistical data entry/analysis capabilities.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
• Excellent interpersonal relation and readiness for team work.

General Information: The appointment is for 2 years, renewable every year for a total period of four years depending on attainment of high performance.

Applications: Candidates are requested to send applications to mukukaivor@yahoo.co.uk with copies to e.kazimoto@cgiar.org and a.abass@cgiar.org. Applications should include detailed CV, scan copies of their certificates, names and addresses of three referees and covering letter (not more than 2 pages) indicating interest/competency in handling the work and overview of similar work undertaken.

Closing date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted 


(2). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria invites applications for the post of Agricultural Markets Economist for the small-scale cassava processing projects in East and Southern Africa.

IITA is a non-profit organization based in Africa. It works with national institutions to increase food production in tropical Africa. IITA is implementing a project titled ‘Small-scale cassava processing and vertical integration of the cassava subsector in Eastern and Southern Africa - Phase II’.  The project is funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) with counterpart contributions from IITA, the national institutions and stakeholders in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia.  The project will develop the income generating potential of cassava by capitalizing on the existing, but unexploited, and profitable market opportunities for cassava derivative products in cassava growing communities in the three project countries.

Position: The successful candidate will serve as the Business Adviser to the project beneficiaries as an inherent member of the project’s business creation team and will report to the regional project coordinator.

Duty Station: Mt Makulu Research Station, Chilanga but frequent travels to the other two project countries are expected. The candidate should be willing to work in small scale farm settings.

Educational requirements:

• PhD or Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Applied Economics, Agribusiness Management or other relevant fields.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibilities for the Business Advisor will include

• Monitor, evaluate and assess the impact of postharvest processing, product development, and other demand-creating interventions on the welfare of poor rural households, particularly the vulnerable groups within the project communities.
• Conduct surveys to document the adoption and diffusion of improved cassava production and processing technologies, and identify constraints and innovations for overcoming the constraints.
• Provide technical backstopping and assistance in improving the capacity of project national institutions and stakeholders.
• Publish the results of the research in strong peer-review journals annually.
• Conduct agribusiness management studies of cassava production farms and processing firms, including business planning, business performance appraisal/profitability and market analysis and evaluation of credit systems.
• Carry out other activities as required regularly by the regional project coordinator.

Core Competencies

• Extensive experience in business economics and management, bookkeeping and credit management.
• Experience in markets economic studies relating to agricultural issues, particularly in the use of econometric modeling techniques
• Outstanding ability to perform thoughtful critical analysis on market economics and livelihood related data.
• A strong peer-reviewed publication record.

Other Competences

• Knowledge of the cassava subsectors in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia.
• Fluency in oral and written English. Working knowledge of French.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
• Skills in training of smallholder farmers, processors and other participants in the agricultural sector.

General Information: The initial contract appointment is for two years, renewable for a total period of four years depending on attainment of high performance, particularly on publication of research results in highly rated scientific journals.

Applications: Candidates are requested to send applications to mukukaivor@yahoo.co.uk with copies to a.abass@cgiar.org and e.kazimoto@cgiar.org. Applications should include a detailed CV, names and addresses of three referees and a covering letter (not more than 2 pages) indicating interest/competency in handling the work and overview of similar work undertaken including a list of publications.

Closing date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates. Candidates on sabbatical leave are encouraged to apply. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.