Green Stories with Jonas Miselo

Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo has called on agro-dealers to uphold professionalism and integrity as government rolls out the 2025/2026 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) under a fully implemented e-voucher system. Speaking during a meeting with input suppliers in Lusaka on Friday, Mr. Mtolo said the programme, which will benefit 1,024,434 farmers nationwide, requires strong commitment from the private sector to ensure its success. He explained that with the move to a 100 percent e-voucher, the private sector now has greater responsibility to make inputs available in all 10 provinces and 116 districts of the country. “The transition to a fully private-sector-driven system presents vast opportunities for growth, but it also demands strict discipline. Government will not hesitate to revert to bulk purchases of fertilizer and seed if malpractice persists,” he warned. The minister stressed the need for fair and competitive pricing, urging dealers to avoid inflating costs, and emphasi...

Government has assured farmers in Luapula Province that every bag of maize harvested this season will be bought by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), despite reports of delays at some satellite depots. The assurance was made by Luapula Province Minister, Eng. Nason Musonda, during a visit to the FRA satellite depot in Kalaba area of Mansa District on Thursday. Eng. Musonda acknowledged that the overwhelming maize harvest, a result of the New Dawn Government’s supportive agricultural policies, has temporarily strained storage and logistical capacity. He disclosed that the country has already surpassed 3.6 million metric tonnes of maize production this season, with FRA having purchased over 1.2 million metric tonnes nationally. “The sight of so much maize is a good story for Luapula and for Zambia. It is a testament to the hard work of our farmers and the supportive environment created by President Hakainde Hichilema,” said Eng. Musonda. “I am aware that some of our farmers have been waiting...

  Agripreneur Foundation has planted 750 Hass avocado trees at Kalamba Primary School, Muyembe Primary School, and Kachema Musuma Orphanage to promote sustainable income generation and improve the welfare of learners through agricultural entrepreneurship in Kawambwa district . Agripreneur Foundation Executive Director Scott Montel says the project is thanks to a grant from Global Environmental Small Grants Programme and is designed to be self-sustaining, as the trees will begin producing avocados in one or two years, allowing the schools to generate income from sales. “The goal is for the schools to reinvest the funds from the project. Each tree, within a year or two, will bear a few hundred fruits, with each avocado selling for K10. This means that each school can generate between K100,000 and K200,000 per year, all of which will directly benefit the learners,” Montel explained. Chief Munkanta of the Chishinga people in Kawambwa District welcomed the initiative, stating t...

In a bid to combat the devastating effects of flooding during the rainy season, the Transforming Landscapes for Resiliency and Development Project (TRALARD) is currently undertaking an ambitious initiative in Kawambwa district. With a budget of 1.6 million dollars, the project involves the construction of three embankments and crossing points, aimed at mitigating the frequent isolation of certain areas within the district. Kawambwa Town Council Secretary Isaac Mwale commends the TRALARD project for its potential to significantly improve the well-being of the local population. "The construction of these embankments will help to reduce the risk of flooding and will also improve access to these areas during the rainy season," Mwale stated, highlighting the project's dual benefits. Known for its higher rainfall levels compared to other provinces, Luapula's Kawambwa district is particularly susceptible to flooding, leaving certain areas cut off from essential servi...

In a bid to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security, the Zambian government has called upon farmers in Kawambwa District to diversify their crops and embrace rice farming. This move comes as part of a collaborative effort with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Market Oriented Rice Development Project (MOREDEP). Highlighting the potential of rice as a high-value crop, Steven Musonda, the Kawambwa District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO), emphasized that rice cultivation can offer farmers substantial returns on their investment. "As the Ministry of Agriculture, we have always spoken about diversification. We have trained farmers to diversify from mono-cropping of maize into other high-value crops like rice," he said. The DACO further stated that rice provides a higher profit margin compared to other crops. For instance, a farmer can make about K 10,000 profit per hectare as a gross profit, which should encourage farmers to ...

The construction and rehabilitation of irrigation canals and weirs in Nchelenge district by the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) will help farmers maintain their agricultural productivity despite the effects of climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture has said. Nchelenge District Agricultural Coordinator Arnold Muimui said the 6-million-kwacha project is welcome and will improve farmers’ livelihood in the district. “Climate change is a major threat to food security in Zambia, but irrigation can help farmers to adapt and continue producing food even during periods of drought,” Muimui said. Mr. Muimui further detailed the significance of the irrigation improvements for local farmers.  "The rains have become unpredictable lately because of climate change," he explained. "So, our farmers struggle to water their crops. Second, even when it doesn't rain, farmers still want to grow things like vegetables. But getting water is tough...

Wildlife Crime Prevention Zambia (WCP) joined forces with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Alternatives to Charcoal Project (A2C) to train fifteen journalists in investigative journalism. This six-day intensive workshop aimed to shed light on Zambia's charcoal trade and its far-reaching environmental impact. The training, led by seasoned investigative journalist Charles Mafa of the Makanday Centre for Investigative Journalism, kicked off at the Mika Convention Centre in Lusaka. Over the first three days, participants honed their skills in crafting in-depth, informative, and investigative reports. The final leg of the workshop shifted to Mumbwa, placing journalists face-to-face with the realities of the charcoal trade. Mwatita Lubinda, a participant from Lusaka-based Cloud 9 FM, described the training as a game-changer. " The Investigative Journalism training opened my mind to ways to do an investigative story, considering that I have never ...

  In a significant development for the farming community in Mwansabombwe district, Luapula province, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, through its Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP), has garnered heartfelt gratitude from local farmers for the transformative Livestock Pass-On Programme. According to testimonials from beneficiaries, this initiative is bringing about positive changes in their lives. Doris Mpundu, a farmer benefiting from the E-SLIP Pass-On programme, expressed her gratitude, highlighting that the project has successfully challenged cultural prejudices associated with cattle rearing in the Mwansabombwe community. Initiated in 2017, the E-SLIP programme has played a pivotal role in providing livestock stocking and restocking programs involving cattle, goats, and chickens to various community groups in the region. Luapula Province has historically grappled with low livestock populations, a challenge that initiatives like E-SLIP are ...

Chief Munkanta, Kawambwa district In a move towards sustainable development and environmental conservation, traditional leaders in Luapula Province are actively engaging with government initiatives to promote Community Forestry Management Groups (CFMGs). Chief Munkanta of the Chishinga people in Kawambwa district and Chief Mwansakombe of the Ng’umbo-speaking people in Chifunabuli district have both pledged significant portions of their land for community forest management, highlighting the importance of preserving forests for various economic and ecological benefits. Chief Munkanta, of Kawambwa district, is collaborating with the Ministry of Green Economy, specifically through the Department of Forestry, to ensure the success of Community Forestry Management Groups in his chiefdom. Recognizing the multifaceted importance of forests, Chief Munkanta emphasizes their potential for carbon trading, beekeeping, and mushroom harvesting. To protect these valuable resources, he active...

Luapula Province PS - Mighty Mumba with the World Bank delegation A delegation from the World Bank and the National Project Implementing Unit (NPCU) of the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Project (TRALARD) recently visited Luapula province to assess the progress and impact of the ongoing projects. During a speech at the TRALARD Provincial Implementation Unit (PIU) in Mansa district, Mighty Mumba, the permanent secretary of Luapula province, revealed that the project had allocated approximately $19.4 million to various initiatives in the province. These projects encompass community livelihood programs, infrastructure development, and the dredging of water channels in Lunga district. Mr. Mumba highlighted the tangible positive effects of the project, stating, "The impact on the people of Luapula province in the five implementing districts is very positive and visible." He further detailed the project's reach, stating that over forty-eight thousand ben...