Question: Is it possible to produce broiler chickens throughout the year without electricity? Many poultry farmers started off brooding with charcoal or gas. There is no reason why corrugated iron houses cannot be heated successfully all year round. What is important is for farmers to use their initiative and look…
Zambia’s power utility company ZESCO today implemented an extra 25% tariff increase as development industry analysts say it will have disastrous consequences in the economy. In May, ZESCO implemented a 50% price increase, after the Energy Regulation Board approved a two-phased tariff adjustment of 75%. The company says cost-reflective power…
President Edgar Lungu said government will consider preferential power tariffs for farmers. This follows an outcry by the Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU) after the country’s power utility company ZESCO imposed a massive power hike of 75%. Speaking on Tuesday, while he visited small and commercial farmers in Central Province,…
The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) is seeking a preferential electricity tariff lower than the massive 75% imposed by ZESCO. But the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) blamed consumer apathy during the submissions process, saying they had missed the opportunity to make their case. The new ZESCO tariff came into effect…
Environmental stakeholders are warning that the massive power tariff hike by Zambia’s power utility company will aggravate deforestation. ZESCO’s power tariff increase of 50% came into effect yesterday. The remaining 25% will kick in on September 1. “Trees will come down at a faster rate as more people are forced…
Zambian farmers say the approval of the electricity price hike of 75% by the country’s energy regulator will spell doom for the agriculture sector. The ERB acting board chairperson yesterday announced that the power tariff adjustment applied to all consumer categories, excluding mines, where negotiations are continuing with the national…
A financial expert warns the proposed 75% power hike by the national power company ZESCO will cripple the agriculture sector. Financial analyst and management expert Richard Mbewe says the increase in power tariffs will trigger galloping inflation. “Everything that involves electricity, including agriculture, will see price increases. With everything going…
The high cost of electricity, labour legislation and land reform in South Africa mean labour intensive agricultural industries are set to move to African countries with more favourable conditions. “There are certain industries that are slowly moving past South African borders, like the banana industries that moved to Mozambique,” said…
A massive proposed price hike by the national power company Zesco, will further escalate mealie-meal prices, says the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ). Andrew Chintala, MAZ president, said ZESCO’s proposed 75% increase will ultimately result in astronomical prices for mealie-meal. “The moment electricity goes up, there will be an increase…
Power has been restored to the last two of seven provinces that experienced a power failure on Monday afternoon. In Lusaka, ZESCO senior public relations manager - Bessie Banda - confirmed that power were restored. "ZESCO apologises for the inconvenience caused to our customers in all the provinces that were…
Another power outage affecting seven provinces has piled more woes on farmers. Poultry, dairy farmers and irrigation farmers, households and agro processing plants were particularly hard hit. The country has suffered a similar experience two weeks ago. ZESCO's public relations manager - Bessie Banda - confirmed that a system disturbance…
Vice President Inonge Wina described last week's power outage that lasted for 128 hours in five provinces as “one of Zambia’s most disastrous natural calamities”. This came amidst a growing chorus of calls for the axing of executives at the power utility company ZESCO. Speaking during the 30-minute vice president’s…
Shortly after 20:00 last night, (24/11) power had been restored after a 128-hour power failure that crippled half of Zambia, even though a few isolated areas were still in darkness. Especially poultry and dairy farmers breathed a sigh of relief, but also role players all the way down the value…
The president of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, got involved personally to bring a speedy resolution to the power failure that has crippled half of Zambia, wreaking havoc among poultry and dairy farmers and small scale agro-processing plants. "President Lungu ordered us to get on the ground and ensure that power is…
The power failure that has crippled half of Zambia has entered its fourth day, piling more misery on farmers, especially poultry farmers. "Our engineers who have mobilised immediately to restore supply have revealed that the damage to the transmission line is quite extensive. However, they are working round the clock…
Poultry farmers in parts of Zambia are reeling from colossal losses following a power outage in at least five provinces that lasted more than 48-hours. "I lost more than 800 eggs for guinea fowls. It is 48 hours already and there is still no sign of power,” lamented Humphrey Milanzi,…
When it comes to generating your own electricity, there are numerous possibilities. What should you choose? Two experts say the emphasis should be on affordability and practicality. Because of southern Africa’s climate, photovoltaic electricity generation (solar power) is almost always the first type of alternative energy which people consider. Wind…
