Hello all! It’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been quite busy, and generally lacking in the internet department. Monday marked my halfway point in my placement in Zambia, and today is exactly two months before I leave. It’s amazing that it’s already mid-October, but at the same time it feels like I’ve been away for a lot longer than two and a half months. It appears that your brain measures time according to the quantity of salient memories, which explains why time seems to disappear when you fit into an overly repetitive routine.
Work has progressed on the market research survey. Survey-takers have been trained across the country, and completed surveys are trickling back in. The next big step to tackle will be data analysis and presentation to the various private partners.
The other project I’ve been working on is the pre-paid voucher programme. Through it, farmers can pre-pay for their seed at a discount. Timing was off for this year’s pilot, but ideally it would begin right after the maize harvest when farmers have cash to spend. Instead of sitting on the cash until next season, which most seem loathe to do, they can secure their seed for the planting season to come in November. As a contrast, many farmers still cannot buy their seed for the upcoming season, because the FRA (Food Reserve Agency) has not paid them for the maize they sold (The FRA purchases maize at an above market price, and as a result, buys most of the maize produced in the country). With November around the corner, the programme has been ended for the year, and I’ve been collecting the sales results and the sentiments of farmers and store owners. From what I’ve seen, the programme holds promise; farmers seem to trust the system, and there seems to have been a great deal of interest (the discount is, of course, the biggest draw). The next step will be to convert this info into recommendations for next year.
It feels as though this update is far too brief, but hopefully it gives you an idea of what has been occupying my time.
Happy belated Thanksgiving! I was fortunate enough to celebrate with other Canadians in Lusaka on Sunday. I definitely stretched my stomach, and have been struggling with a newly voracious appetite this week. Bring on the nshima!
Thanks for the update Eric!
What sort of recommendation topics do you (generally) see suggesting for the voucher program next year?
Good luck keeping that voracious appetite in check. Bananas and shortbread cookies do nothing, yet they seem to be the most available
Hey good to hear things are going well. How did the Stockists feel towards the vouchers? Did they think there was a lot of effort on their end with little in return or were they happy with the results? Are any of them egger to do it again next year or would they rather avoid the hassle? Enjoy the nsima!
Steph
Hey! Halfway is pretty crazy!
I have a question about the seed purchasing. In Ghana, one of my colleagues David has taken a close look at how farmers are buying (or not) their seed, and has found pretty consistent results pointing to the idea that many farmers just do not buy seed. I’m wondering if you’ve seen that at all in Zambia, or if it is a more Ghanaian issue. And if it is an issue in both places, how does the discount incentivize buying more than the prospect of increased yield due to new seed? Both seem directly attached to monetary incentives, though one requires a cause and effect analysis, whereas the discount is upfront. Thoughts?
Helo eric,i actually have a question.Is or can the voucher programme be extended to other organisations purchasing farming inputs for a particular programme that is intended to benefit the vulnerable but viable in our zambian society?
Truddy,serenje