1. THE APPOINTED TIME FOR AFRICAS' SMALL SCALE FARMER
By Eric K.Mwenda
The great Napoleon of France,one of the most successfulwar Generals that ever lived,once declared to his
conquering troops:"IMPOSSIBLE" is a word found only in the dictionaries of fools.Reject it.No wonder his exploits
were nearly limitless.
We have togetherstarted a journey which should change the direction of our continent,YES our continent.Israel and
their neighbors Egypt with their desert soils are one of the champions in Horticulture and for your own information
Israel is one of the pioneers of Drip Irrigation System in the World.Most of the successfulTomato varieties we have
here in Zambia come from Israel!What are we lacking as Botswana,Zambia,Congo,Zimbabwe??? Iam not sharing
this information to blame anybody but iam here to advise YOU that Africa must be developed by its own citizens
starting at individual level.Governments have and still do their part and we must also play a spirited fight to conquer
poverty and increase our net worth.
‘’It always seems impossible until it is done,’Nelson Madiba Mandela
Nelson Mandela Former South African President (MHSRIP) has shown us that with determination, patience and
knowing the end objective of your goal there is absolutely nothing that you can fail to accomplish in life.He united
everyone in the world.That is the kind of spirit and determination that the budding African Farmer must emulate and
start building his Agribusiness from a ‘’farm’’ to a ‘’firm.’ When your time comes to leave this planet you would
have left a legacy that will remain forever cherished by our present and future generation .Agriculture must become
the engine for growth that Africa needs to eradicate hunger and boost sustainable food production….The challenge
for Africa is to make this economic growth more inclusive by targeting agricultural and
rural development, women and young people says FAO Director General Jose’Graziano da Silva.
Should we wait for FAO, our governments to remind us that we have a role to play as individuals in this goal of
feeding this rapidly growing population? Let us move together:
In most African countries,there is this syndrome of DEPENDENCE on Government to do almost everything for us
Farmers.I was recently among a participant of Experts in an African Forum where
Zambia,Malawi,Kenya,Angola,Uganda was represented and as i heard the yield averages(in terms of our staple
Maize Crop 1-2tonnes per Hactre against 8-10 tonnes for commercial Production) from each country i felt shame on
myself but again gained courage knowing that we still have time to write history and change this record at least this
generation. Winners or champions do not wait for government or anybody to do things for them. They create ways
and means to achieve their desired goals.Governments give Policy and direction and sometimes go the extra mile to
supply starter packs.
How can we avoid depending on governments? We must find time to PLAN, DREAM, ORGANISE, NETWORK
and this name peasant farmers will depart from us with shame. Let us develop a positive attitude which does not
recognize failure but VICTORY.When I attended the Global Expo in 2009 in Gaborone, I got information that
government of Botswana was ploughing land for farmers for FREE, building dams and giving inputs as starter pack
but I do not know to what extent how many farmers graduated from that help to anotherlevel.The same has been
happening in Zambia for many years under FISP and names changing with political wind of change.We have a role
to play as individuals as well to help our governments. Someone said, ’A person with no conviction is on a journey
to nowhere.’’ Think about how you will convince yourself to change the rules of the game and make your life better
than it is today.
Every worthwhile activity will have hurdles but with a determined positive attitude and flair to aim for excellence,
greatness orgraduating from this syndrome will be seen just as a phase.
''If the fish comes out of the river to tell you that the crocodile has one eye, you should believe it.’’African Proverb
Africa’s small-holder farmers keep trying to make their ends meet through farming but it has not been easy for them
because the majority’s mindset is still behind in accepting the use of latest technologies among other challenges.
Botswana is credited for Beef Exports and we salute them for that.Kenya is exporting flowers. West Africa is
Exporting Cocoa we can also export cassava,vegetables,Garlic among othercrops and enterprises. Exports are
being done in Zambia in Vegetables and other crops but have they created a name for us? The answer is NO because
we are far from reaching world numbers. Ministry of Agriculture has all the data kindly acquaint yourself with these
statistics.The messages to us from governments in Africa is the same, we must diversify and use advanced
technologies to make it.
In Zambia, I have been asking myself why Crop diversification has been coming out strongly on the agenda of

2. recent successive governments.Local newspaperhave headlines,’’Diversification, solution to todays’challenge-
farmers urged, PACO advises farmers to practice crop diversification for increased production,‘POST
Newspaper,Mazabuka DC advises use of improved Crop Varieties the list can go on) The answer is simple, they
want farmers to have more money in their pockets so that farming becomes a life fulfilling undertaking.I believe so.
It is therefore on that understanding that am today sharing with you some of the principles of success in African
Agriculture.
UNCORDINATED EFFORTS
We seem to have so many farmers in Africa that are working in isolation and the results are there for us to see.We
need to establish working and recognised organisations(partnerships)that should fosterdevelopment in our farming
communities.Whether you are farming in Lusaka,Nakonde,Francistown,Lilongwe,Nairobi you form part of a town
which has people that are farming. Come togetherto form an organisation(cooperative or any other organisation)and
focus to do one thing,just one thing a crop or any other enterprise and register yourselves with relevant wings like
ZEGA(Zambia), ZDA(Zambia)BEDIA(Botswana)LEA(Botswana),Farmers Union and many others inform them
that you are now ready to supply local supermarkets,colleges,lodges and finally exports.Registrations with relevant
wings give direction and guidance and it also shows how serious you are as an organisation to be recognised for
your produce.The problem that local buyers face from small holder farmers is inconsistent supply with required
quantities to be supplied at a given time.Forexample Mr.Tumelo may say he is a vegetable supplier with Shoprite
but one day shoprite will be told,’’My water pump had a problem so I could not continue with my farming,all my
vegetables dried up!’’This is against an organisation which want to supply fresh vegetables to its customers all year
round and you the farmer form part of that value chain.Here there is loss of income by shoprite,yourselfas a
farmer,loss of trust with local suppliers etc.It is therefore important that you are a group working togetheragreeing
on targets and responsibilities and forwarding just one big coordinated supply of fresh vegetables for one year
forexample.When forming this group you must just focus on one enterprise and brand it,’’CHONGWE
TOMATOES’’FRANCISTOWN GARLIC’’ produce of Botswana,Produce of Zambia.This can be done by the
Africas’ farmers if only we coordinate efforts and make this a reality.For how long are we going to continue
enriching otherfarmers from other countries and we continue getting loans from banks to purchase latest cars? Ask
yourself this question,‘When I retire how will my life be?’’You still want to depend on social welfare salary? Iam
not saying everyone is in this class but I feel we must start planning ahead as small holder farmers or citizens of
Africa so that we change this system.We must be employees as well as farmers that must contribute to the welfare of
this continent.Issues like wanting to continue working after sixty-five years won’t carry any water to you if only
you start planning now(Iam referring to the youths of today)
We are at a time that has numerous opportunities and it needs people like you reading this article to recognise these
opportunities and create jobs for your generation.
HAVE A MENTOR, AN ADVISOR
After forming your group,you now even have the powers to access funding and hire a consultant to help drive your
Agribusiness to the next level. Former World Champion in the boxing arena, Mike Tyson had a coach to make him
reach that status he achieved. Locally here we have the likes of boxer Catherine Phiri who have recognised their
gifts and risen to stardom. Ask her, she also has a coach.In Agriculture you also need a coach a mentor, someone
who has spent a considerable time doing that same thing to guide you from time to time. They say no man is an
island. Having mentors will make our Agribusinesses develop into companies and corporations and the word
success will have made meaning to you.ZAMBEEF in Zambia started as a very small farm but today it is a big
organisation with branches in West Africa.They involved mentors, hired the right people to do the job and the rest is
history.
What will be your legacy as a small-holder farmer of this country?Remember there is no monument that was built in
favour of a coward and if you want to change your life you must change the way you have been doing things.You
cant plant mangoes and expect to harvest juicy Tomatoes! May be this happens in Football alone where you expect
an outright win and you only get a draw! I watched Zambia Versus Congo last evening here at Chaminuka a lodge
built on a hill overlooking Lake Chitoka,in pristine Miombo woodland and savannah,one ofthe rare pieces of land
that survives untouched in the country.It is a great piece of inovation and tourism!
Dear farmer you can do it next time,you can do it next season and you can do it NOW.Procrastination will never
take you anywhere.Start planning now working in groups and collectively the world will be saying Africa is now a

3. net exporter of variuos agro commodities to the rest of the world.Mind you we are just starting as a small farmer
group but we can eventually develop into a supplier of different commodities.If you were to go to the source of the
Mighty Zambezi River that gave birth to one of the seven wonders in the world(the Victoria falls)you will refuse to
believe your eyes.It is starting as a small flow of water just under a tree but with a mission of covering a very long
distance across countries to drop its waters in the indian ocean.Along the way it has a very big waterfall which has
been generating foreign Exchange to Zambia and even offloading to the neighbouring country Zimbabwe!If you
want to succeed follow the footsteps ofpeople who have succeeded.The principles of success are the s ame
regardless of what ever industry you may talk about.We already have some of the things required to realise this
dream.The bible says,’’my people perish due to lack of knowledge.’’Get the knowledge and use it to benefit your
generation.
THE LORD IS STRONG IN YOU
The following script is from one of my favourite Preachers in the world, Joel Osteen. Dear farmer the rules of the
game for us to succeed are many but we also need to pass through spiritual barracks for us to conquerpoverty.
The Rhythm of an African Farmer will remain a pipe dream if only we remain covered in the blanket of,’’this
government will do this for me, and my uncle will do that for me.’’
It is time we woke up from this slumber to create jobs, to buy off struggling farms, to buy farms and begin farming
to change the face of Africa and leave something to this generation.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses,in insults,in hardships,in persecutions,in difficulties. For
when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV)
We all have seasons in life when we feel overwhelmed. When unexpected things happen,we can be tempted to get
discouraged.We may feel like we don’t have what it takes, or we may feel weak. Anytime you feel this way, you
have to realize that feelings aren’t facts. The truth of the matter is that God has equipped you and He already has a
plan for you to come out of that difficulty. Scripture says,when you feel week, that’s when God’s strength rises in
you. His strength will overcome any opposition you may face.
Remember, anytime you feel week, that’s when God is strong on You! Keep praying, keep believing, keep pressing
forward and rise up in the victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for giving me Your strength for any adversity I face in this life. I know that with You, I will
overcome. Help me to keep my heart and mind focused on You as I move forward in victory. In Jesus’name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Attend my next workshop and discoveryour full potential.Mighty Jesus is still on the throne.
Be a farmer, Be a millionaire!
Eric K.Mwenda
Call/Whatsaap+260-966-784515 Email:agromotivator@gmail.com
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