NEWSLINE

The Citizen Environmental and Social Concern has urged the government to strengthen Environmental Clause in the contract once a new equity partner for Konkola Copper Mine which has been placed under liquidation is found. Executive Director, Conwell Hakapya believes that this will enable the new mine shareholder to be strictly compelled to operate within the prescribed pollution limits. Mr.Hakapya is concerned that every now and then, mining firms pollute the environment, especially water sources with impunity. He says water pollution poses health risk to people and must therefore be addressed forthwith.

Over 2,900 farmers out of 3,835 in Pemba District of Southern Province received pay out –outs from the Index Insurance due to weather fluctuation which resulted in crop failure in the 2017-2018 farming season.  This came to light during the launch of the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) 2018 Report. The report has also revealed that under the Smallholder Farmers Support Program, DAPP is working with 10,835 smallholder farmers in Pemba, Namwala and Monze Districts with the view to reduce vulnerability and food insecurity. Development Aid from people to people in Zambia Director of Programs Mwansa Katunga indicates that the 2018 out-put saw 6,726 farmers adopting conservation farming with farmers cultivating close to I hectare each resulting in improved output and total production of 180 tons of Cowpeas ,Soybeans   and Groundnuts.

“The agriculture sector offers immense opportunities for commercialization of institutions of learning through the provision of market based solutions to challenges that exist in the industry by taking a leading role in market driven research and product, development, commercialization of agricultural technologies, extension service provision   and entrepreneurship training for those intending to take up farming as a business,”Musika Managing Director  Reuben  Banda observed. Mr. Banda said the opportunities offered by the agriculture sector can only be harnessed when capacity is built within learning constitutions  to be able to develop and strengthen their internal systems. He was speaking during the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Musika and the University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Agricultural Science valued at 55,000 United States dollars, The MOU is aimed at helping to amplify the university’s critical role in the development of th

The Food and Agricultural Organization has warned that farmers in different parts of the world can expect agricultural yields to either rise or fall over the next three decades due to climate change. In Zambia especially parts of central and Southern Provinces, farmers are already grappling with the effects of climate change as most of their crops have dried up due to dry spells. It is therefore imperative that the country continues to design and implement interventions that could increase the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers and measures that would contribute towards mitigation efforts of climate change. Details in the following report by Christopher Chisi. https://soundcloud.com/user-182587436-416223702/impact-of-climate-on-agriculture-report

Dams Are a Vital Part of the National Infrastructure. They have the potential to provide a life-sustaining resource to people if well utilized. Dams can serve several functions at once, including water supply for domestic animals, agricultural, industrial, and community use; flood control; recreation; and clean, renewable energy through hydropower. With the impact of dry spells due to climate change, becoming more severe on agriculture in provinces such as southern and central Zambia, the importance of dam in promoting irrigation farming and reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture cannot be ignored. However the current state of the Malozilozi dam in Monze district of southern province is raising concerns as it has continued to shrink and dry. It is a mere white elephant and no longer serving its purpose. https://soundcloud.com/user-182587436-416223702/monze-residents-complain-over-the-current-state-of-malozilozi-dam-in-southern-province-zambia  

MIBS PS CHANDA KASOLO The Government has called for a more open and closer interface between the media and the private sector in order to enable the media to report a true picture of the investment undertakings in the country. Ministry of information and broadcasting services is concerned that too often the media, is not given reasonable room to understand business and various sectors of the economy because of businesses withholding valuable information. Speaking during the launch of the MTN Zambia Media Club in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo indicated that it is therefore, important that the private sector reinforces their support for the media through partnerships. Mr.Kasolo commended MTN Zambia for being a consistent investors in the development of the country’s telecommunication sector. "The Zambian government is encouraged to see a strong partnership between the Media and Private Sector. The role of the Media in reporting on the econom

The Food and Agricultural Organization has warned that farmers in different parts of the world can expect agricultural yields to either rise or fall over the next three decades due to climate change. In Zambia especially parts of central and Southern Provinces, farmers are already grappling with the effects of climate change as most of their crops have dried up due to dry spells. It is therefore imperative that the country continues to design and implement interventions that could increase the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers and measures that would contribute towards mitigation efforts of climate change. Details in the following report by Christopher Chisi. https://soundcloud.com/user-182587436-416223702/impact-of-climate-on-agriculture-report