88th Agriculture and Commercial Show

By MacPherson Mukuka

Zambia has all it takes for an overwhelming economic boom. The human resource, Good Climate and natural resources are all here to be trapped.

The Government of Zambia has prioritized agriculture because of its potential to serve as an engine for achieving broad based economic growth, diversifying production, increasing incomes and improving national and household food security.

Every last week of July to the first week of August of every year, Zambia host one of the most expensive Agriculture show piece on the African Continent the Agricultural and Commercial Show.

The show also offers a platform for cultural exchanges regionally and internationally, which is a catalyst for development for any country.

This year’s ACSZ will be hosted under the theme: 2014 breaking new ground, with the sub theme, commemorating 50 years of Zambia’s independence.

On Friday July 25^th, 2014… I had an opportunity of interacting with some of show society members to find out how far the preparations have gone.

A tour was conducted around the show premises to check on the new developments before heading to the boardroom for a meeting with the society president.

Out in the field, Society Vice President Ben Shoko took us through some of the works that were taking shape in the ground… the new car park was the first place we visited.

Show goers are simply at the heart of the society, to this reason, the satellite bus stations introduced 3 years ago; have been maintained as Mr. Shoko explained further on this.

The society has also added two new outlets to allow show goers move freely without stamping on each other, Mr. Elliot Mhende, society chairman for development explained more on the safety movement of show goers.

The society other interest is on livestock, it provides a platform for livestock farmers to show exhibit their animals.

Dr. Benson Mwenya is a chairperson in charge of livestock; he explains the changes that have been made in the livestock section.

After a tour of close to an hour, we walked back to the boardroom for a meeting with Murray Anderson, society president.

In his statement, Mr. Anderson disclosed a sum of about 11 Million Kwacha will be spent during this year’s show. He said 5.1 Million Kwacha will go towards the hosting of the show while an additional 6.2 Million Kwacha has been channeled towards infrastructure development.

The Show will also be celebrated under a sub theme: commemorating 50 years of Zambia’s independence, how then has the show performed in the last 50 years?

The Agricultural and Commercial Show has become a leading Southern African region meeting place. Lusaka been capital City, also harboring the Headquarters for COMESA, and as such all member states find the show as a focal point to enhance and evaluate all their economic activities both current and future.

So far 17 countries, have confirmed their participation at this year’s 88^th Agriculture and Commercial Show.

The first show was held in 1919 and has been held every year thereafter with the exception of the years 1921, 1941 to 1946 because of the first and second world war, and in 1966 as well due to Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence the previous November, which led to the occupation of a large part of the Showground by the aircrew of the Royal Air Force.

The venue of the show has changed six times from the Kafue River Bank site to a temporary site in Lusaka, where the National Institute of Public Administration stands. In 1951 it moved to its permanent location in the present day showground.

GIVE BUSINESS EVENTS MORE COVERAGE- KATEMA URGES LOCAL MEDIA

By MacPherson Mukuka

The role the media plays in informing the masses is widely appreciated by almost every reader, listener and viewer that is for newspaper, radio and TV.

However, there is one area of reporting which many news followers have come to realize that it has not been given enough coverage compared to other areas.

Business news is said to have been sidelined by most media organisation and personnel for reasons not well known.

Zambian media is one of the many that has been cited for not giving the prominence it deserves.   

For this reason and others, a Media organisation Partners Group organised has launched a media award in business reporting with the aim of promoting the coverage of business news.

The Competition dubbed Young Zambian Journalist Business reporters will run annually and calls for participation in writing on business and economic issues from all pen and paper lovers, regardless of their profession.

Speaking during the launch of the awards and subsequent awarding of the competition’s first winner in Lusaka, Information and broadcasting services Minister Joseph Katema says local Journalists have chosen to report more on political issues than Business.

Dr. Katema has further stated that Government is not interested in politicking but developing the nation hence his call on the media practitioners in the country to report more on business and economic issues.

And Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Lena Nordstrom whose embassy hosted the finalists for one week says there is a clear indication that reporting on business helps country win the heart of investors as there get to have information about the business trends in the country they want to invest in at their finger tips.

And partners’ group chief executive officer Jonathan Kays has hailed government for creating conducive business environment.

Meanwhile, professional insurance managing director Geoffrey Chirwa says there few Zambians that have the knowledge and appreciation of how this country is doing economically and what they can to contribute further and positively to the success story and to the benefit of all Zambians.

The Media award which is the first in the country has been presented to 23 year old David Ngenda whose winning article was about the internet. The award includes a full paid trip to Sweden for 4 days.

GOVERNMENT HAILS SHOW SOCIETY

By MacPherson Mukuka

The Agriculture and Commercial Show has proved to be one of the most effective tools suitable for passing Agricultural information from experts to farmers.

Government has equally recognised and appreciated the roll the Show Society is playing in fulfilling its agenda on Agriculture.

Agriculture and Livestock Minister Wilber Simusa says Government relies on the Show society to help transmit and actualize government’s desire and make it a reality.

Mr. Simusa said this when he paid a courtesy call at the society offices at the ongoing 88^th Agriculture and Commercial show.

Mr. Simusa further says there is need for total participation from all stakeholders ion the Agriculture sector if the country is to fully benefit from it.

The Minister later toured some stands in the Pioneer hall where all the ten Provinces under the Ministry of Agriculture are exhibiting their agricultural products.

Meanwhile, Society Vice President, Ben Shoko says the Society is overwhelmed with remarks by the Minister.

He adds that the society acts as a meeting place where linkages for all Agriculture stakeholders are created.

Mr. Shoko, who also shower convener, says the society never saw itself to be so close to Government to receive such commendations.

He has described the remarks by the Minister as motivation to the society to work even harder.

The 88^th Agriculture and Commercial Show which closed on Monday 4^th August has been commemorated under the theme: 2014, breaking new grounds and commemorating 50 years of Zambia’s Independence.

Over 17 countries across the globe participated at this year’s event.

WORK PLACE WELNESS POLICY ON HIV/AIDS ON COURSE- CHIBIYA

By MacPherson Mukuka

In the early years of HIV/AIDS, stigma and discrimination were a common agenda in many places where an HIV positive living person was identified.

Victims of the deadly Virus became a laughing stock because of the manner in which the virus attacked them.

It is stigma and discrimination that to some extent contributed to some victims failing to cope with the situation, with a number of them dying of depression as they lived in denial.

The manner in which HIV/AIDS attacks its victims has a negative effect of the productivity levels as victims become weak.

It trying to support and promote employee wellness in all aspects, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock launched an HIV/AIDs and wellness policy a few weeks ago.

But as they say, unless it is implemented, a policy is just a document, in this regard, the breakfast show team caught up with Ministry of Agriculture HIV/AIDS focal point person Remy Chibiya at the ongoing 88^th Agriculture and commercial, to find out on the way forward after the launch of the policy.

Mr. Chibiya explains that the committee will be training the some members of staff of how it wants the policy to be rolled out.

He adds that his fellow employees have welcomed the launch of the policy and are looking forward to seeing how it will be mainstreamed.

He further states that the committee will ensure that the people are sensitized and informed on the dangers of stigma and discrimination and that everyone is treated equally regardless of their status.

Mr. Chibiya stress out that his committee will take advantage of the Agriculture and commercial show to pass on the information to farmers through extension officers.

And one of the employees has expressed happiness at the launch of the policy saying that it will at least help a number of workers in the ministry to be aware of their health.

Some of the Programmes that are already taking shape in rolling out the policy are distribution of condoms at the workplace, and the current exhibition of information about HIV/AIDS and wellness programmes at their stand in the Show grounds.

We only hope that this campaign on HIV/AIDS and wellness in the Ministry of Agriculture will be a stepping stone for breaking new grounds.

ZICTA APPOINTS CATHERINE PHIRI AS CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN AMBASSADOR

By MacPherson Mukuka

A Campaign against child online abuse in Zambia has taken a centre stage.

Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (Zicta), the initiators of the crusade dubbed child online protection has moved forward by appointing Zambia’s Boxing Champion Catherine Phiri as Movement Ambassador.

Speaking shortly after the unveiling of Catherine Phiri, at the just ended 88th Agriculture and Commercial Show, Zicta Board Chairperson Emmanuel Musonda says the authority has taken recognizance of Catherine’s achievement and wants to build her from there by appointing her ambassador.

And in receiving the appointment, Catherine Phiri says she will work closely with the Zambia Children and educate them on the safety use of the internet.

Catherine has further called on parents to educate their children about the good and bad part of the internet.

Meanwhile Oriental Quarries Operations Manager Christopher Malunga says Catherine’s appointment as Child Ambassador has shown to the cooperate world that she is a disciplined sportswoman.

And Catherine’s Coach, Mike Zulu has expressed happiness at the step Zicta has taken to appoint Phiri as a Child Ambassador.

ZICTA has embarked on a nationwide campaign to protect children against unsafe use of the internet and other ICT devices.

Catherine’s appointment may not have come at a better time than this when the WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) silver bantamweight champion has won the hearts of Many Zambian’s with the majority been the young ones.

We hope that she will use her career and appointment wisely to help build both her and the young ones who look up to her as a role model.