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| Smallscale farmers can adapt the things they see and learn at Expos on a smaller scale |
As the Agritech Expo opened on Thursday April 10, some small-scale
farmers around the country are traveling to Chisamba, to expose themselves to
the latest trends in the agricultural sector. Transcending from small-scale to
medium and commercial scale farming entails keeping up-to-date practices that
can increase production and productivity.
Field days are simply a series of demonstrations and
knowledge-sharing activities that are focused on enhancing sustainable
agriculture. They can be described as trade shows where farmers and aspiring
farmers can acquaint themselves with best farming practices, new seed
varieties, livestock disease control methods, new machinery and technology etc.
These events are a fora which bring farmers,
extension-research and the private sector agricultural stakeholders together to
share and promote innovative ideas.
Initially, field days were spearheaded by the Ministry of
Agriculture in collaboration with mainly seed companies. However, private
sector agricultural stakeholders such as seed companies gave been gradually taking
the lead to mobilize farmers and host especially in rural areas.
According to Chief Extension Officer at the Ministry of
Agriculture, Katupa Chongo, field days are simply a method of conveying
agricultural information.
“Fields days are real-time teaching tools for farmers where
new information can be conveyed to farmers…and where farmers can see for
themselves the benefits of a new innovation,” Mr Chongo
His explanation of the benefit of field days is premised on
the basis of seeing is believing.
In recent years, agricultural expos are a new way of
conveying agricultural information to even regional and international farmers
and agricultural stakeholders. While field days a more limited on their focus
of information – usually seed varieties – expos tend to showcase a wider range
of agricultural products such as modern technology, equipment farming inputs
and even offer side events in form of lectures.
Mr. Chongo said that expos are simply field days that are
held at a larger scale and small scale farmers can still learn a lot and adapt
what they learn on a smaller scale.
"Farming methods are versatile and can be applied in various situations. The most important thing is to communicate good idea to a maximum number of people so that you can spread the information on better or new methods,” Mr. Chongo added.
In a press release, Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU)
President, Jervis Zimba, explained that even the smallest small scale farmer
knows about mechanization thanks to the country’s biggest agricultural event –
the Agritech Expo. He highlighted that the Agritech Expo celebrates 6 years of
its existence under the theme Prioritizing
Agriculture as One of the Key Economic Drivers. He explained that farmers
cannot do it alone and a multi sectoral approach is necessary to make the
sector grow.
“…we set out to have an Expo that would unveil technologies,
machinery, smart agricultural practices, embracing all farmers at every
level…This is an expo that will school agriculture from farm to fork; from seed
to crop,” Mr. Zimba said.
Daniel Ngosa is a farmer from Mufulira on the Copperbelt. He
explained that field days and expos enable farmers see their own potential and
motivates them to do better in their agricultural activities. With particular
reference to expos, Mr. Ngosa said that expos are a good environment for
farmers to create linkages among themselves.
“You get to see products which offer solutions to your
problems…you get to see and understand how those products work because the
exhibitors will explain those products,” Mr Ngosa said.
He reiterated the fact that agriculture cuts across all
sectors and the Expo was a platform that brought all people institutions
together: policy makers, government officials, bankers and farmers among other
others. This entails that a forum for establishing solutions to real growth of
the agricultural sector could be tabled – including the issue of access to
finance for small scale farmers.
Jonathan Chola is the Agro-lending Coordinator for AB bank
Zambia. He said that AB bank Zambia provided loans to farmers for fixed assets
such as equipment, livestock, fertilizer and other working capital
requirements.
“We are involved in financial literacy programs such as the
Farmers and Micro Business Simulation, our main focus is to have farmers and
micro business view their businesses as profit centres and manage them as such
in the long run,” Mr. Chola said.
He disclosed that Agro Credit experts would be readily
available at the Agritech Expo to discuss farmers’ options on a one-to-one
basis. Access to credit is a necessary tool to enabling farmers to mechanize
their agricultural practices and increase their productivity.
Field days and Expos are a viable catalyst to stimulating
agribusiness as small scale farmers are presented with a platform to not only
learn about agricultural practices and equipment but they are also presented
with a marketplace at which to meet potential suppliers and buyers of their
products.
Field days are also a catalyst to enhancing the adoption of
best agricultural practices in a time when climate change is threatening the
food and nutrition security of households that depend on agriculture.
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