AgriSmart end of project report world heritage final

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END OF PROJECT REPORT

LWANDE MIXED FARM PROJECT

OWNERS: MUKUNI CURIO TRADERS ASSOCIATION

Submitted by:

Organization: AgriSmart – Zambia; and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Principal Investigator: Emil van Wyk, AgriSmart-Zambia

Country Director: Emil van Wyk, AgriSmart– Zambia.

Date: May 2015.

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PROGRAM SUMMARY

The ultimate goal of the project is to ensure food security by promoting rural livelihoods and diversified income streams. This will be accomplished using an innovative, market focused and scientific approach. Farmers will be trained in good agricultural practices, postharvest and storage systems, entrepreneurship, business development skills (including managerial skills such as record keeping and negotiating), and then they will be linked to sustainable markets. Innovative, economically viable technologies including eco-friendly farming techniques, the use of high quality germ plasma, and quality control in postharvest technology will be promoted. To reach that goal, CHDA in co-operation with AgriSmart-Zambia worked together to establish the foundation of this program as a pilot phase for six months. That pilot proposal is to bring 4 ha of land under irrigation and into production. Farmers from the Mukuni Curio Traders Association need to grow chilli and other horticultural crops for sale locally and regionally at Lwande Mix Farm.

Newly established development on Lwande Farm

Goal: Develop 4 hectares of land for cultivation to ensure food security by promoting rural livelihoods and diversified income streams for the Mukuni Curio Traders Association at Lwande Mix Farm. Objectives:

a) Secure the ten (10) hectares Lwande farm by establishing trenches around the whole facility; b) Provide complete irrigation infrastructure on four (4) hectare of the farm including a solar water

pump, two (2) 5 000 liters tanks mounted on concrete platforms and laying and commissioning of drip irrigation pipes and fittings;

c) Prepare four (4) hectares of the farm for cultivation, including ripping, ploughing, disking/harrowing and ridging;

d) Provide the Mukuni Curio Traders Association (the project) with one hectare chilli seedlings, two hectare crop seedlings, fertilizers, chemicals and basic farm equipment;

e) Facilitate market linkages between Lwande farm and consumer firms both at national and regional levels;

f) Provide members of the project with training in business, entrepreneurship and marketing skills as well as relevant manuals for the community (crop specific, safe use of chemicals and soil management) etc.;

g) Provide support to the project with technical inputs on crop production, harvesting, packaging and promotion among other things.

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OBJECTIVE A: Secure the ten (10) hectares Lwande farm by establishing trenches around the

whole facility

Lwande Mix Farm (May 2015)

Accomplishments:

Project successfully secured 20 hectare of land from his Royal Highness, Chief Mukuni and land handed

it over to the Mukuni Curio Traders Association. AgriSmart contracted a locally based contractor to

establish trenches around 10 hectares of the land to protect the newly planted horticultural crops

against domestic animals and wildlife. A trench of 1.5m wide and 1 m deep was dug around the farm to

secure it from elephants and domestic animals.

Challenges:

During excavation we found several different types of soil. The machinery contracted was not

able to keep to the agreed depth of the trenches at the rocky parts of the land. At some places

the contractor only manages a depth of 90 cm.

There was no other suitable heavy duty equipment available in the area to solve this challenge

and to transport this from further afield would deplete the budget for the transport cost alone

(the cheapest quotation was K 22 / km from Sesheke).

Due to time pressure there was no other option than to continue and we have seen that the

trenches only fail to keep elephants out. The trenches successfully protect the crops against

domestic animals.

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OBJECTIVE B: To provide complete irrigation infrastructure on four (4) hectares of the farm

including a solar water pump, two (2) 5 000 liters tanks mounted on concrete platforms and to lay and commission drip irrigation pipes and fittings;

Solar pump with solar panels and control box

Accomplishments: AgriSmart installed a solar pump in the existing borehole provided by the project. A locally based

contractor was used to construct pillars to install the solar panels as well as a control box with a trip

switch. All panels are protected with a lock steel frame (also manufactured by a local contractor). All

main lines, sub lines, main valves, filters, in line valves and dripper lines were installed according the

design approved by the technical officials of AgriSmart for the 4 hectare approved development area.

Furthermore a local contractor constructed a tank stand and 2 x 5000 liter tanks were put in line for the

irrigation system. The system design and operation proofs to be outmost functional and ASNAPP is

satisfied with the delivery of water for irrigation to the land.

The best quality irrigation equipment available was used and the system allows easy connection for

expansion. The system design is user friendly, easy to operate and make provision for different crops to

manage in the same block. Not only were the irrigation blocks equipped with a main valve, but each

individual dripper line was also equipped with an in line valve. This allows the irrigated area to be

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functional at any time without over or under irrigation at other areas. This also prevents wastage of the

water resources available and also prevents weed growth.

The total irrigation system is easy to maintain and can be operated at a low cost (the system is the best

available on the market). The system was installed by AgriSmart technical officers with the help from the

community. The following trainings were done on site:

Solar pump operation and maintenance;

Installation of solar pump and panels;

Installation of main lines, sub lines and valves;

Installation of dripper lines and in line valves;

Land preparation (ridging);

Irrigation system maintenance and operation;

Water management and prevention of water waste

Chemical handling and spraying

Integrated pest management

Weed management (removing by hand hoe)

Fertilizer application

Transplanting.

In line valves for dripper lines connected to sub lines

Challenges:

Timing of implementation of the project forced development into the rainy season which is not

the ideal time of the year to start a project;

Startup was delayed by slow mobilization of the community;

Transport of supplies and inputs were a challenge due to the lack of transport for the

community;

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Storage of chemicals, fertilizer, tools and irrigation equipment was a big challenge due to lack of

storage facilities.

Security of inputs and supplies was a huge risk due to no fencing or storage facilities;

Borehole reports were not available which make it difficult to determine yield.

Insufficient funds to urgently tackle all the problems faced during our operation as we were

working in line with the agreed budget which made ASNAPP to start borrowing some funds to

speed up the work plan designed.

The community busy with day to day activities on Lwande Farm.

Lwande chilli garden

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OBJECTIVE C: Prepare four (4) hectares of the farm for cultivation, including ripping, ploughing,

disking/harrowing and ridging

Chilli plants on Lwande Farm

Accomplishments:

AgriSmart contracted a local contractor to cross rip the field 70cm deep, plough it and to make ridges on

a row width of 1 m apart. This was successfully done before the rainy season. Livingstone experienced

extreme heavy rain early in the season that results in flooding of the prepared land. The contractor

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therefore had to plough and ridge the field for a second time again to ensure a proper prepared land for

cultivation. The end result of the land preparation is good and the good height of the ridges prevents

flooding of the new crops. The community has now an excellent field for cultivation of horticultural

crops that will put them in a position to grow crops on this 4 ha of land for many years to come. With

good farming practices on soil management they can increase soil fertility and with minimum inputs

they can achieve good production on several fresh crops.

Challenges:

We experienced difficulty in ripping and ploughing in the dry soil (before the rainy

season start) due to the lack of suitable equipment in the area and the costs of fuel and

damage to the equipment exceeded the budget put a side for land preparation;

The early season flooding increased the costs to re-plough and ridge the land a second

time;

The slow mobilization of the community at the start of the project delayed the clearing

(stumping) of the land to the size of 4 hectare, AgriSmart had to assist on labor costs

that were not part of the contract;

AgriSmart had to rely on the size of the land given for development from the community

and experienced difficulty on the location of the borders and location of the planned

development;

Due to time pressure no soil samples were done for analysis (just used experience).

Production area on Lwande farm

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OBJECTIVE D: Provide the Mukuni Curio Traders Association (the project) with one hectare

chilli seedlings, two hectare crop seedlings, fertilizers, chemicals and basic

farm equipment;

First butternut on Lwande Farm

Accomplishments:

AgriSmart contracted the Kazuni community in Kazungula to produce seedlings of high quality

for the project. AgriSmart have a long term relationship with the Kazuni community on seedling

production and the good training and infrastructure provided to them ensures timely delivery

and good quality seedlings with the best varieties available and suitable for the project. The

project planted 2.5 ha Malaga (birds eye chili), 0.5 ha green maize and one hectare mix crops

(cabbage, sweet potato, tomato, green beans and butternuts). The orange flesh sweet potato

is a highly nutrient variety and ASNAPP aims to promote access to this crop to the community

and surrounding communities by introducing it on this site. The community was trained in all

activities of land preparation, planting, applying of fertilizer and spraying of chemicals.

AgriSmart delivered all the seedlings, seed, tools, fertilizer and chemicals that were needed to

successfully plant the 4 ha of land on site.

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The community was trained in:

- Planting of seedlings;

- Spacing and dynamics of plant population;

- How to apply fertilizer;

- How to spray herbicides;

- How to apply chemical sprays;

- Planting of seeds.

The following inputs were delivered on site:

Seedlings

- Tomato 6 000 seedlings

- Chili 45 000 seedlings

- Cabbage 15 000 seedlings

Seeds

- Maize 20 Kg seed

- Green beans 5 Kg seed

- Butternut 5 Kg seed

Fertilizer

- 10 x D Compound

- 11 x Urea

Chemicals

- 40 liter Herbicide

- 6 liter Pesticide

- 5 liter Fungicide

Tools

- 20 Hoes

- 30 Shovels

- 8 x 16 liter Knapsack sprayers

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Challenges:

Mobilization of community too slow to train groups in all aspects of production;

Budget won’t allow for enough tools and equipment for the community;

Lack of local supplies delayed implementation.

Production area on Lwande Farm

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OBJECTIVE E: Facilitate market linkages between Lwande farm and consumer firms both at

National and regional levels

Accomplishments: AgriSmart successfully linked the community with chili traders from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola and

Namibia. These traders established a trade link between Zambia (Livingstone, Kazungula) and the

neighboring countries the past 2 years from other AgriSmart communities with great results and income

for the chili growers under the AgriSmart programs. The traders already committed themselves to this

project with offers on the produce to the community.

AgriSmart is also in process to linking the community to Sun International, ZambonaChoice (a local

distribution center) and Food&Veg from Lusaka. This link will secure a market for the community for all

fresh crops under production.

Challenges:

Marketing needs volumes to be sustainable. The project must expand to gain interest from

more traders to fill the demand on cross border trade to neighboring countries. There is a big

scope between the currently supply and the demand which provides an opportunity to expand.

Consistent supply – the community needs to prove they can supply fresh produce on a

consistent base to gain trust from the market.

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OBJECTIVE E: To provide members of the project with training in business, entrepreneurship and

marketing skills as well as to provide relevant manuals for the community (crop specific, safe use of chemicals and soil management) etc.

Prof Jim Simon (Rutgers), Emil van Wyk (COP AgriSmart) and Muunga Mapenzi (Manager AgriSmart

Provincial Manager) during training session with Lwande Community.

Accomplishments: AgriSmart in co-operation with Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA) held training sessions with the

community on business, entrepreneurship and marketing skills. Prof Jim Simon and Prof Ramu

Govendasamy (both Rutgers) are world renown for their work with communities relating to training for

small scale farmers on all aspects for sustainable agribusiness. The community were introduced to post

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degree students from Rutgers on their work as researchers and the importance of analysis of data

collected, record keeping and crop budgets.

AgriSmart also held several training sessions on all aspects of production practises and post-harvest

handling.

Challenges:

Not all community members have been trained;

Community members need more training to be graduated as a AgriSmart accredited farmers;

The community will need follow up training as crop production start after the first stage of

implementation.

Community participation during training.

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OBJECTIVE F: To provide support to the project with technical inputs on crop production,

harvesting, packaging and promotion as well as other resources.

Lwande after stumping and before land preparation

Accomplishments: AgriSmart assisted the Lwande community to turn a piece of empty land into a high value production

unit with the funding of the Centre for Heritage Development in Africa. This project is a remarkable

success, especially if one looks at the sort time frame in which it was achieved. AgriSmart assist the

community in all aspects of the development, from stumping to planting, and with the positive attitude

and support from the community the end result is spectacular. In Lwande community we found a very

dedicated group of people with lots of potential to carry on with this project and with a good supporting

structure to assist them they will make this project a landmark success.

Lwande as it is now.

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Recommendations

Electric fencing - this area of land is known to be a corridor for human – animal conflict

area, especially with the high population of elephants and the neighboring conservation

area that borders the farm. To safeguard the land as well as the community members

working on the land one will have to fence the whole farm of 20 hectare with an electric

fence. Care must be taken on the specifications of an electric fence – especially the

material for use as well as the voltage output. AgriSmart can assist with the required

specifications of such fence and can also link the community to reputable suppliers.

Estimated cost for fencing of 20 hectare will be around $80 000, depending on local

labor cost and availability of material.

Store/ pack shed – there is no facility to store chemicals, fertilizer, tools and equipment

on the farm. There is also no facility to grade, wash, pack and store fresh produce after

harvesting. Post-harvest handling is a critical component of fresh product production,

especially to supermarkets and other high end markets like Sun International and

lodges. Food safety regulations require a minimum standard of facilities on the post-

harvest handling of fresh produce and proper facilities is an absolute necessity for a

project like this. Food safety regulations require for example hand wash - , toilet –,

drinking water- and safe keeping of chemical and fertilizer facilities on site. Currently

this is absent at the farm and we need to address this urgently. One store of 450 sqm

(15 m x 30 m), steel frame construction with concrete floor can house all above

mentioned facilities under one roof. Estimated cost for such store with equipment to

wash, grade and pack fresh produce will be around $ 95 000.

Transport – transportation of produce to the market, input supplies to the farm and for

the community to the nearby town in emergency cases is of critical importance. Timely

delivery of fresh crops to the clients and market is an important part of any supply

contracts with supermarkets and hotels. AgriSmart have a special agreement with

Nissan SA for the NP 300 pickup (4x4) series with canopy and tow bar. We suggest to

purchase 2 of this pickups at an estimate cost of $50 000.

Farm gate and guardhouse – the farm need a proper entry gate and guardhouse for

security purposes. Estimated cost for this will be around $8500.

Tools and equipment – the community needs additional farming tools like spades,

harrows and hoe’s. They will also need more protection clothes (for spraying), spraying

equipment (atomized sprayers), harvesting crates and packaging material. The estimate

cost for these items will be around $4200.

Training and technical support – AgriSmart trained with the help from Prof Jim Simon

and Prof Ramu Govendasamy (Both Rutgers University) some of the community

members in the basic principles of good farming practices. We will need to train all the

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community members and to graduate them as the project progress. The community will

need the supporting structure from an implementing partner like AgriSmart to give

onsite training and support. Experience in the field of funded projects show that

success on projects like this can only be secured after a minimum of 3 years support on

the technical inputs as with the first phase of this project.

Operating costs – AgriSmart supplied all the inputs for the first cycle of production

(seed, fertilizer, chemicals, seedlings, transport, communication, admin and food). The

community will need support for at least 2 more cycles of production. The estimate cost

for the next 8 months will be around $18 000.

Expansion – to make the farm more economic feasible (economical scale) one have to

expand the production area to at least 15 hectares. This will justify the costs on fencing,

pack shed and other above mentioned costs. AgriSmart can compile a business plan for

different models on request. We know there is a good sustainable market for chilli and

other fresh crops in Livingstone and our experience with cross border trade show there

is more than enough demand to expand to even more than 15 hectare.