Deputy agri minister engages Zambezi farmers
During the week of 12 to 18 January, agriculture deputy minister Ruthy Masake held a series of stakeholder engagements in the Zambezi Region aimed at strengthening collaboration and addressing farming challenges within the agricultural sector.
During her visit, Masake met with the Zambezi Meat Corporation (ZAMCO), the entity operating the Katima Mulilo Abattoir in partnership with Meatco. ZAMCO, which is owned by local farmers, raised concerns about low livestock throughput at the abattoir due to limited market access. Farmers also complained about the low prices they receive when selling livestock compared to those south of the veterinary cordon fence.
In response, Masake briefed stakeholders on the Agricultural Equalisation Fund (AEF), which is designed to bridge the price differential between the two farming systems. She informed the meeting that the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) Equalisation Fund has been approved and is awaiting fund appropriation from the Ministry of Finance. The ministry is currently finalising modalities to enable the rollout of the programme.
Masake also met with all four Traditional Authorities in the Zambezi Region, namely the Masubia, Mafwe, Batsata and Mashi, to share information on the ongoing locust infestation in the region and to ask for their support in the ministry’s efforts to combat the outbreak, particularly through awareness creation.
Communities were urged to promptly report locust swarms and to comply with instructions issued by control teams, especially given that the pesticides used can be hazardous to humans and animals if not properly managed.
During the consultations, the traditional authorities raised several concerns, including the limited number of hectares government tractors can plough per farmer, the number of tractors allocated per constituency, frequent tractor breakdowns, delays in tractor repairs, delays in fuel supply, and vacant positions for Agricultural Technicians at Agricultural Development Centres (ADCs).
In response, Masake assured them that the government remains committed to improving service delivery. She explained that agricultural extension functions under the Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES) have been delegated to Regional Councils, to enhance efficiency and responsiveness at the local level.
The traditional authorities welcomed the engagement and expressed hope that such consultations would continue in the future.
