Lusaka, Zambia
February 16, 2016
DuPont Pioneer and Musika today launched the Zambia Advanced Maize Seed Adoption Program (ZAMSAP), a collaborative initiative that will see maize smallholder farmers access agricultural inputs, training and market linkages to increase their harvests and household incomes. Farmers who are part of ZAMSAP will benefit from quality hybrid seed varieties from Pioneer and PANNAR SEED, agronomic education and on farm training, extension services and market facilitation support that will incorporate them into strong commodity supply chains.
ZAMSAP is modeled on the successful Advanced Maize Seed Adoption Program (AMSAP) launched by Pioneer in Ethiopia in 2013.
“DuPont Pioneer is committed to collaborating to address the challenges which substantially impact the productivity of smallholder farmers in Zambia,” said Prabdeep Bajwa, regional director Africa for DuPont Pioneer. “ZAMSAP will address these challenges by giving farmers access to training, resources, technology and to markets, enabling them to boost their yields to improve their livelihoods.”
Musika is providing financial and technical support towards the establishment of ‘last mile’ buying points in isolated areas, training and deploying a well-equipped and trained extension staff.
“By supporting DuPont Pioneer to provide a comprehensive and information-based ‘bundled’ service to smallholder farmers, Musika believes that an environment is created where farmers have the confidence and knowledge to invest in their production and improve their incomes,” said Musika Managing Director, Reuben Banda. “Farmers will get access to productivity enhancing technologies, coupled with practical technical advice in the correct usage of the seed and associated inputs, leading to higher yields and contributing to poverty reduction.”
Pioneer is working with the government of Zambia through the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Gender and Child Development and Musika to support women and youth farming communities. ZAMSAP will provide seed to demonstration plots and field training sessions in the Chembe, Mpika, Chinsali, Luwingu, Mungwi, Solwezi, Kasempa, Mufumbwe and Kabompo districts where market access is poor and extension services are limited.
The Program aims to reach 30,000 farmers in 2016, with the potential to scale up to reach approximately 100,000 maize farmers by 2018. Since January 2016, 274 demonstration plots have been planted through a pilot initiative involving 206 women groups, 57 youth groups, and 11 schools across the 10 districts in the North Western, Northern, Muchinga and Luapula Provinces.
Maize is a staple crop and a significant contributor to Zambia's economic and social development, providing jobs, income and food. The country currently has an average maize yield of about 2.4 metric tons per hectare, which is slightly above the average 2 tons per hectare of maize yields in Africa and 10 tons per hectare in the U.S. By adopting hybrid seed and using improved farming inputs and techniques, participating farmers will be able to achieve significant productivity gains and increase their yields two-fold or more.
Click here to watch the AMSAP video on YouTube.
About Musika
Musika is an independent Zambian non-profit company supported by the Embassy of Sweden and the UK Government in Zambia to stimulate and support private sector investment in the smallholder and rural markets. Musika’s operations are national in scope and stretch across the agricultural industry, working primarily with those corporate entities in the sector that are committed to engaging the rural poor as their clients, suppliers and consumers. Musika’s clients are those agribusinesses that demonstrate both the willingness and the ability to develop strong and constructive commercial relationships with the lower end of the agricultural market. Through the provision of high quality, commercially focused technical support and a range of smart, catalytic investments aimed at reducing the initial risks involved in exploring, testing and developing new markets, Musika stimulates and deepens commercial engagement with the rural poor and seeks to fundamentally change the way agricultural markets work with and benefit the smallholder sector.
About DuPont Pioneer
DuPont Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success®.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.
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