Zambia Metrology Agency targets cheating in crop markets

-

The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has intensified efforts to protect farmers and buyers following the bumper 2024–2025 harvest, ensuring fairness in agricultural trade through accurate measurements.

During the current marketing season, ZMA has conducted statutory verification of all scales at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and extended inspections to all grain buyers and sellers nationwide, including roadside traders.

Speaking at a media briefing, ZMA Executive Director Humphrey Nkobeni has confirmed that inspectors have already visited districts in the Southern, Copperbelt, Central, and Eastern provinces, and are currently active in Muchinga, Luapula, and Northern provinces.

“We appeal to all farmers to sell their grain only to buyers with ZMA-certified scales,” Mr. Nkobeni said. “Using uncertified scales risks underpayment for your grain, and buyers risk overpaying. Integrity in measurement is critical for sustaining the agricultural sector.”

He has also thanked stakeholders, including the FRA, private buyers, provincial leaders, traditional authorities, and local chiefs, for supporting inspectors as they ensure farmers transact only with certified buyers.

As the custodian of national measurement standards, ZMA is preparing to support the Farmer Input Support Program (FISIP) for the 2025–2026 farming season.

Working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), and Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), ZMA will inspect fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides to ensure they meet declared quality standards.

“Inspections will commence at the end of August, ahead of the planting season, to safeguard farmers, strengthen confidence in agricultural inputs, and enhance productivity through accurate and reliable measurements,” Mr. Nkobeni said.

He has stated that ZMA has coordinated with Provincial Agriculture Coordinators (PACOs) to ensure that all farming inputs supplied under FISIP meet required specifications, contributing to another potentially bumper harvest if rainfall and government policies remain favorable.

Ends……………………….

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beltz pledges impactful leadership as ZedPro Global Patron

-
Image
Global Patron  for ZedPro Sports Foundation , an organisation dedicated to youth development through sports, financial literacy, and personal growth   Nkandu Beltz   has  expressed deep appreciation for the appointment and pledged to make a lasting contribution. “I’m completely stoked to be appointed ambassador for such an important cause,” said Beltz. “I have pledged to do my best to create a meaningful impact and build on the shoulders of giants,” she said. Ms. Beltz said  the Foundation’s focus on empowering young people through sport, which she described as a powerful tool for personal transformation. “We work mainly with young people through sport, which encourages self-discipline   and a self-disciplined person can achieve anything in life,” she said. “But it’s not just about the physical side. We are also teaching financial literacy and engaging in personal development initiatives for these young people.” She added that one of her top priorities as g...
Read more

CSPR and UNICEF launch Toolkit to amplify adolescent voices

-
Image
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched the School and Junior Councils Advocates Toolkit , a practical guide designed to equip adolescents with the skills they need to organize and effectively manage student and junior councils across Zambia. The toolkit is much more than just a manua l  it offers young people a platform to raise their voices, participate meaningfully in school governance, and play an active role in community development. Set to be rolled out nationwide, this initiative supports Zambia’s broader efforts to boost youth participation in governance and local development. Developed through extensive research in Lusaka, Katete, and Kafue districts, the toolkit benefited from the insights of teachers, District Education Boards (DEBs), student and junior councils, CSPR staff, and UNICEF. Lead consultant Dr. Aaron Chansa has described the launch as a landmark moment in promoting youth leade...
Read more

Syngenta champions sustainable Farming through Pesticide container Recycling

-
Image
Syngenta East and Southern Africa Managing Director, Given Mudenda, has reaffirmed the company's commitment to environmental stewardship through a groundbreaking pesticide container recycling initiative. Mr. Mudenda who also serves as Chairperson of CropLife Zambia and sits on various regional boards of CropLife Africa   said Syngenta began the project years before Zambia introduced legislation on pesticide container management. “We didn’t wait for the law. We started this out of a sense of responsibility and sustainability,” he said. “T he initiative began with collecting empty pesticide containers from seed companies and has since grown into a national program. In partnership with CropLife and other major agrochemical firms like Bayer and BASF, Syngenta has helped establish drop-off centers where farmers can return used containers ,” Mr. Mudenda said.   He said t hese are cleaned and recycled into useful products including plastic pools for tomato growers, reducing the need ...
Read more