MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

SOLWEZI DISTRICT

Fourth Quarterly Report

Agriculture Department (TSB)

Compiled by: TSB-Solwezi District

Date: 31-12-2019
1.0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The report covers activities performed by the TSB branch at Solwezi district from 1 st October
to 31st December, 2019.It covers both planned and unplanned activities that were executed by
the Technical services branch during the quarter under review. The quarter was characterized
with very few activities. A few activities were achieved due to various challenges but the
major problem being constraint on funding. The following activities were conducted during
the period under review

 Training of one student on attachment (from Natural Resources Development

College)
 Training of extension officers and the general public on Community Based
Smallholder Irrigation (JICA Project)

2.0. INTRODUCTION

The report focuses on the events and outputs of a range of agendas that were implemented by
Technical services branch. A number of the programs set in the annual work plan for the year
2019, were attempted with great difficulty due to inadequate funds from MOA headquarters,
in addition to lack of a proper mode of transport for the department to effectively put into
practice all the activities that were planned for the year. This report covers on all the activities
of the three sub-sections of Technical Services Branch namely Farm Power and
Mechanization, Irrigation and land Husbandry.

Irrigation section looks at development and management of sustainable irrigation systems for
all categories of farmers in order to increase irrigated agricultural production, Farm Power
and Mechanization main purpose is to coordinate farm power, farm structures, rural water,
energy supply and mechanization in order to enhance agricultural production and
productivity and Land husbandry sections deals with development and implementation of
land husbandry activities in order to achieve sustainable conservation and improved
productivity of agricultural land.
 3.0. ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS

3.1 FARM POWER AND MECHANIZATION

ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE LOCATION TARGET ACTUAL REMARKS

BENEFICIARY BENEFICIARY
ACTIV TARGET ACTI ACTUAL
ITY VITY
M F T M F T
Training of farmers Boma 1 visit 229 121 350 1 88 76 164 Farmers were discouraged to
in conservation To improve knowledge Muzabula visit use conventional farming
tillage techniques in conservation tillage Kainamfumu methods and encouraged to use
and Animal Draft techniques and ADP Kapijimpanga conservation tillage and ADP
Power

Monitoring and To monitor and supervise Boma 2 2 2 4 1 2 2 4 Extension Officers were

Backstopping extension staff in Muzabula visits visit monitored and guided in
mechanization activities Kainamfumu mechanization activities
Kapijimpanga
 3.2IRRIGATION

ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE LOCATION TARGET ACTUAL REMARKS

BENEFICIAR BENEFICIAR
ACTIV Y TARGET ACTI Y ACTUAL
ITY VITY
M F T M F T
Construction of weirs To create hydraulic structures for Kainamfumu 1 visit 18 10 28 1 visit 18 10 28 Constructed an inclined weir and furrow to replace
irrigation by gravity the ones last constructed in 2011 for the supply of
water to fish ponds and crop irrigation. This was
done under ECOBSI
Sensitization on need for To inform farmers on ECOBSI Kyafukuma 1 visit 28 22 50 1 visit 28 22 50 Meeting was successfully held in Kimabembe to
farmers to take up gravity activities and facilitation on for East Per site Per site sensitize farmers on ECOBSI activities and a plan
irrigation and planning for future irrigation programs. for 2020 irrigation program was made with crops to
irrigation for 2020 be grown identified by the farmer group. Group
Kapijimpanga 30 10 30 decided to organise itself for successful
implementation of the plan.
Surveying for irrigation To increase area under irrigation. Kyafukuma Site was surveyed and found to have a huge
potential East 1 visit 28 22 50 1 visit 28 22 50 irrigable area but could pose challenges in the driest
months as water availability would be limited.

Other Activities
 Attended the ECOBSI Evaluation workshop at Kyafukuma Farmer Training Institute held to review the ECOBSI activities carried out in
the project’s Activity implementation for the first year.
 3.3 LAND HUSBANDRY

ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE LOCATION TARGET ACTUAL REMARKS

BENEFICIARY BENEFICIARY
ACTIV TARGET ACTI ACTUAL
ITY VITY
M F T M F T
Farm land To convert customary land Kimale 1 1 0.168 Ha was demarcated for a
demarcations into private property surve surv church
y ey

Sensitization on To reduce soil erosion and Kainamfumu 1 18 10 28 1 18 10 28 Facilitations at the sensitisation

correct land loss of nutrients in crop meeti meet meetings held at the two sites
husbandry practices fields Kyafukuma ng per 28 22 50 ing 28 22 50 included topics to address the
East site per need for farmers to practice
site land husbandry practices that
help to reduce soil erosion and
nutrient loss. Contour ridging
and integrated soil fertility
management were explained.
4.0. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

The TSB section collaborates well with other institutions but much more needs to be done.
The section has been working together with Kansanshi mine especially on conservation
farming projects. Italian Services Volunteers have been helpful in Animal Draft Power by
giving out animals and animal drawn implements to farmers on loan. Lumwana mine has also
been working together with the section especially in conservation tillage technologies. The
TSB section has also been collaborating with other GRZ ministries such as Lands, Local
Government, Energy and Water Development, Fisheries and Livestock, to mention but a few
on so many developmental projects.

5.0. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Below are some of the challenges faced by the Technical Services Branch Section in Solwezi
District;

 No funding for planned activities

 Lack of both office and field basic equipment
 No proper modes of transport for the section
 Low staffing levels
 No capacity building workshops and refresher courses

6.0. GENERAL COMMENTS

No funding was received for all the three TSB sections during the fourth quarter.
Implementation of the planned activities was difficult due to lack of a proper mode of
transport for the section. Suzuki Motor bike given to the TSB section last year has improved
the implementation of the planned activities but there is need for more proper modes of
transport. There is also need to employ more staff as the TSB section is under staffed.
Necessary tools and equipment to carry out the required activities are also lacking.
7.0. RECOMMENDATIONS

 There is great need to promote Climate Smart agriculture and fully develop
Mechanization and Irrigation in North Western Province as they have comparative
advantage considering the abundance of the water resource and arable resources that
need to be utilized sustainably.
 There is need to prioritize the TSB Inventory exercise if a reliable data bank is to be
achieved. This should involve training of field officers on data capturing using GPS
for accurate area determination and location of TSB structures and mechanized areas
 The idea of making TSB as a department may help alleviate most of these challenges
 Supervision, Sensitization and monitoring visits to the Camps to be conducted
regularly
 There is need for more collaboration with other institutions and the private sector in
order to improve service delivery to farmers.
 It is recommended that a vehicle be made available for the district and motorbikes for
technical staff in order to improve service delivery to farmers.
 TSB section should be funded in all the four quarters of the year in order to improve
service delivery to farmers.
 Procurement of necessary modern tools and equipment for the TSB section.
 Deployment of new officers is recommended as it will lead to an increase in the
staffing levels
 8.0. APPENDICES

8.1 Staffing

Position Establishment Filled Vacant Comment

Agricultural Specialist 3 2 1 One to be employed
Senior Technical Officer 3 1 2 Two to be employed
Technical Officer 3 0 3 Three to be employed
Assistant Technical Officer 3 1 2 Two to be employed

8.2 Transport

Mode of Transport Number of Number of Total Comment

runners non-runners
Motorbike 1 1 2 Motorbikes are needed
Motor vehicle Nil Nil Nil A vehicle is needed

8.3. Funding

8.3.1 GRZ

Activity Amount Amount Amount Comment

budgeted received spent
(ZMW) (ZMW) (ZMW)

Promotion of Conservation 2,000.00 Nil Nil Funding is required for

Tillage Techniques smooth operations
Land Husbandry 2,000.00 Nil Nil Funding is required for
smooth operations
Promotion of Irrigation 20,819.00 Nil Nil No funding received

8.4 Infrastructure and Equipment

Description Number Condition Comment
Good Fair Bad
Office Tables 4 0 4 0 Need for good tables
Office Chairs 4 0 4 0 Need for good chairs
Desktop Computers 1 0 1 0 Need for Desktop Computers
Tablets Nil Need for Tablets
Laptop Computers Nil Need for Laptop Computers
Printers Nil Need for Printers