2012年-世界发展银行全球_Agribusiness_Indicators___Zambia_76页_2mb

Summary of Agribusiness Indicators Report for Zambia (December 2012)

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of the agribusiness environment in Zambia, focusing on key indicators such as access to improved seed, fertilizer availability, mechanization, agricultural finance, transport infrastructure, and the policy framework. The data was collected through interviews with stakeholders, secondary data analysis, and literature reviews, highlighting both the progress and challenges in the sector.

Main Viewpoints

1. Improved Seed Use

• Background: Zambia's seed sector is fully liberalized, with the private sector playing a major role in production and export.
• Usage: Approximately 65% of maize area is planted with certified hybrid seed, while 20-30% of wheat and soybean area uses certified seed.
• Private Sector: 16 registered seed companies operate in the country, with the top two companies producing 65% of seed and the top four producing 85-90%.
• Challenges: Hybrid seed recycling leads to reduced yields. The approval process for new seed varieties can take up to two years. Counterfeit seed remains a concern.
• Efficiency: Seed prices are significantly lower under FISP subsidies compared to commercial prices, with a ratio of 2.40 (subsidized seed price ÷ FRA purchase price).

2. Fertilizer Access and Availability

• Usage: In 2010/11, total fertilizer use was 300,414 tons, with FISP financing 59% of this.
• Growth: Fertilizer use has increased steadily, with FISP's share rising from 32% in 2008/09 to 59% in 2010/11.
• Application Rates: Fertilizer application rates rose from 71 kg/ha in 2009/10 to 90 kg/ha in 2010/11.
• Use by Crops: Maize accounts for 77% of fertilizer use, while cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and wheat account for 12%, and other staples account for 11%.
• Prices: Urea prices vary by region, with Lusaka at US$38.00 per 50-kg bag. FISP subsidies reduce prices by about 75% compared to retail.
• Private Sector Involvement: Private companies are less involved in the fertilizer sector compared to the seed sector. Fertilizer distribution is mainly handled by district governments and cooperatives.

3. Access to Farm Machinery and Tractor Hire Services

• Tractor Use: Tractor use is low, with only 21 tractors per 100 square kilometers of arable land.
• Ownership and Use: Most small- and medium-scale farmers use hand hoes and animal traction. Large and corporate farms dominate tractor usage.
• Importation: All tractors in Zambia are imported, leading to higher retail prices due to the landlocked geography.
• Costs: High import duties, VAT, fuel costs, and expensive loans make tractors costly to operate. Tractor rental rates are significantly higher than in other ABI pilot countries.

4. Access to Agricultural and Agri-Enterprise Finance

• Lending: Total agricultural lending as of March 2012 was US$415.8 million, or 16.5% of all credit from commercial banks and microfinance institutions.
• Private Sector: Private firms mainly rely on retained earnings and informal financing for long-term investments. Banks are hesitant to offer credit for greenfield investments due to nonpayment culture and risks.
• Initiatives: The Lima Credit Scheme, initiated by Zambia National Commercial Bank and ZNFU, enables smallholder groups to receive seasonal credit for maize in kind.

5. Cost and Efficiency of Transport (Roads)

• Infrastructure: Zambia has made progress in trunk road construction and linking provincial capitals to Lusaka and border crossings.
• Access: Only 17% of rural populations live within 2 km of an all-season road, and feeder roads are often in poor condition.
• Industry: Despite poor road conditions, the trucking industry is large and competitive. Police interference is not a major problem, and many roadblocks have been removed.
• Funding: A road fund provides stable resource allocation, and the country's road budget is sufficient for maintenance and rehabilitation.

6. Policy and Enabling Environment

• Reforms: Economic reforms since the 1990s have improved the business environment, leading to increased private sector participation.
• Policy Framework: The National Agriculture Policy (2004-2015) aims to promote commercialization through public-private collaboration.
• Government Role: FISP and FRA policies have a distorting impact, but the private sector reports few complaints about government intervention.
• Consultative Mechanisms: No single apex body exists for agribusiness in Zambia. Each sector (except mechanization) has its own association for policy dialogue.
• Budget Allocation: Agriculture receives about 6% of the national budget, below the 10% target set by the Maputo Declaration, but has remained relatively constant over the years. Nearly half of this budget is allocated to FISP subsidies.

Key Information

• Population and Geography: Zambia is a landlocked country with a population of 12.9 million and a land area of 752,618 km².
• Economic Contribution: Agriculture contributes about 20% of GDP and 12% of export earnings.
• Employment: Nearly 70% of the labor force is employed in agriculture.
• Fertilizer Imports and Exports: Zambia is Africa's largest seed exporter, exporting 17,891 MT in 2011. Seed imports account for less than 1% of total certified seed sales.
• Private Sector Engagement: The private sector is highly engaged in the seed sector, with limited involvement in fertilizer and mechanization.
• Financial Barriers: Smallholders face significant financial constraints, with limited access to formal credit and high interest rates.

Conclusion

Zambia's agribusiness sector shows potential, with a relatively well-developed industry and supportive policy environment. However, challenges remain in seed efficiency, fertilizer access, mechanization, and financial services, particularly for smallholders. Addressing these issues is critical for improving agricultural competitiveness and reducing poverty.