Farming Operation Grows

The 2021 season has finished with most farmers recording a bumper harvest. 

Preparations for the 2022 season have begun. Almost double the amount of seed has been distributed to all farmers on the Outgrowers scheme which should translate into a significant increase in yields. 

New early maturing varieties of groundnuts are being introduced to try and combat the risk of poor rainfalls later in the season  

Sunflower and maize seed has also been distributed to allow farmer to rotate the legume crops with other cash crops.

Overall we expect the scheme to expand by 35% in 2022. 

To support the increase we are providing more oxen, more harvesters and more storage space. 

A 2021 final report will be issued next month. This will measure the overall impact on farmer livelihoods and the benefits of the SAZ programme in general.  

Zambia News

The country is still suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Numbers remain low compared to other countries but the economy has been severely affected. Unless there is a freeze on bond repayments the county is likely to default. Credit rating has reduced to ‘junk status’

However, it means that Sterling received by SHAREAfrica Zambia is worth a lot more.

Orphan Programme

The Feeding Programme is going well. Remote locations have also been visited. The only complaint is that ‘we need more’.

This is just the first month so we will learn as we go. The factory is keeping up with demand