report on the groundnuts value chain analysis for zambia
DESCRIPTION
Agricultural Consultative Forum, March 2013, 17 pagesThis paper has been prepared to understand the main challenges facing the industry so that a framework for sustainable development of the groundnut industry in the country could be proposed. The report describes the various value chain activities and key players in the groundnut value chain. Some key conclusions and policy recommendations have been made.TRANSCRIPT
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ACF
AGRICULTURAL CONSULTATIVE FORUM
DRAFT REPORT ON
THE GROUNDNUTS VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS FOR ZAMBIA
Prepared by the Agricultural Consultative ForumP/Bag 16, Woodlands
Lusaka, ZambiaTel/Fax 260-211-263083
March, 2013
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Contents1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................3
2. GROUNDNUTS PRODUCTION AND SALES...........................................................................4
2.1 Producing Areas...........................................................................................................................4
2.2 Production Trends.......................................................................................................................4
2.3 Groundnuts Marketing.................................................................................................................6
3.0 THE STRUCTURE OF ZAMBIA’S GROUNDNUT VALUE CHAIN – STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS...........................................................................................................................................7
Smallholder farmers......................................................................................................................8
Food Processors.............................................................................................................................8
These provide a major market for intermediaries and farmers, as they service the needs of the consumers. They are involved in this business for profit...............................................................8
Consumers.....................................................................................................................................9
Value chain service providers........................................................................................................9
4. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE GROUNDNUTS VALUE CHAIN IN ZAMBIA.............................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Challenges.................................................................................................................................10
4.2. Opportunities............................................................................................................................12
5. CURRENT RESEARCH.................................................................................................................13
6. KEY FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................14
6.1 Key Findings and Conclusions:.................................................................................................14
6.2 Recommendations:....................................................................................................................15
6.3 Key stakeholders for consideration at the national workshop..............................................16
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................17
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1. INTRODUCTION
Groundnuts contribute to the gross value of field crops. Groundnuts can be consumed in an
unprocessed state, but they also serve in the economy as raw materials for the manufacturing
of various products such as peanuts, peanut butter, sweets and cooking oil. According to
Staple Food Value Chain Analysis-Zambia Report (2009) by Chemonics International,
Zambia used to be a major supplier of confectionary groundnuts to the World market in the
1960s when the Chalimbana nut was highly desirable. However, the parastatal company that
used to market the commodity became a costly burden on producers and collapsed, the basic
seed became moribund due to lack of a sustained rejuvenating breeding programme, and
gradually consumer tastes turned towards the smaller confectionary nuts produced by South
Africa, which were marketed more aggressively. This resulted into groundnut production
declining considerably as most commercial farmers ceased to produce and small-scale
farmers were not offered the services and rewards associated with successful marketing
arrangements.
Concerned about these declining production levels of the commodity, the Zambian government and other concerned stakeholders over the last decade have tried to revitalise the groundnut industry in the country.
This paper has therefore been prepared to understand the main challenges facing the industry
so that a framework for sustainable development of the groundnut industry in the country
could be proposed. The report describes the various value chain activities and key players in
the groundnut value chain. Some key conclusions and policy recommendations have been
made.
The study relied heavily on existing data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and
past value chain reports on groundnuts as well as a draft Groundnuts and Common Beans
Intervention Plan by the Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (SAPP).
The study had its own limitations. Investigations were only centred in Lusaka and to a few
organisations due to limited resources and time. No visitations were made to the productive
regions for groundnuts in the country.
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2. GROUNDNUTS PRODUCTION AND SALES
2.1 Producing Areas Groundnuts are mainly produced in six provinces of Zambia, namely Eastern, Northern,
Southern, Central, Luapula and Muchinga. The contribution of various provinces to Zambia’s
total groundnuts production is depicted in Figure 1 and 2 below.
Table 1: Production by Province during 2012 SeasonArea Planted Production Mt Yield Mt
Zambia 184,397 113,026 0.6Central Province 19,234 12,106 0.6Copperbelt Province 8,735 5,427 0.6Eastern Province 56,946 30,930 0.5Luapula Province 17,599 14,133 0.8Lusaka Province 2,487 1,152 0.5Muchinga Province 14,163 10,817 0.8Northern Province 29,025 16,211 0.6N/Western Province 7,814 10,337 1.3Southern Province 23,089 9,616 0.4Western Province 5,305 2,298 0.4
Figure 1: Area Planted to Groundnuts 2012 Figure 2: Production in Metric Tonnes by Province 2012
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Central11%
Copperbelt5%
Eastern27%
Luapula13%
Lusaka1%
Muchinga10%
Northern14%
N/Western9%
Southern9%
Western2%
Production in Metric Tonnes by Province 2012
2.2 Production Trends Trends in the area planted, production and yields of groundnuts is as depicted in Table 2 and
Figures 3, 4 and 5 below. Zambia is experiencing increasing groundnuts production since
2007. However, production hasn’t increased to desirable levels partly due to the low yields
that have been obtaining in the country. Zambia’s groundnut yields have varied from between
0.3 and 0.6 MT/ha. These variations in groundnut yields are typically related to changes in
soil fertility, farming systems/practices and seed selection.
Groundnuts production in the country is mainly by the smallholder farmers who used
recycled seeds year in year out. The Zambian government and NGO’s, through drought relief
programs had supplied the bulk of groundnut seeds to farmers particularly those in
marginalized areas. However adoption of improved varieties has been extremely low despite
their record high yields over local varieties. Nearly all groundnuts grown in Zambia are
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Central Province10%
Copperbelt Province
5%
Eastern Prov-ince31%
Luapula Province10%
Lusaka Prov-ince1%
Muchinga Province
8%
Northern Province
16%
N/Western Province
4%
Southern Province
13%
Western Province3%
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produced from farmer retained seed recycled over several generations, resulting in perpetual
low yield records.
Table 2: Groundnuts: Area planted and total production
Groundnuts 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Area Planted(Hectares)
70,018 137108 129,473 150,460 116,494 161,962 144,251 147,320 144,201 216,126 267,567 448,243 184,397
Production Mt
23,447 57,753 41,421 82,551 69,696 74,218 84,010 55,215 70,527 120,564 163,733 278,775 113,026
Yield Mt 0.33 0.38 0.32 0.55 0.60 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
Figure 3: Area planted to Groundnuts 1987 - 2012
20122010
20082006
20042002
20001998
19961994
19921990
19880
50,000100,000150,000200,000250,000300,000350,000400,000450,000500,000
Area Planted: GROUNDNUTS PRODUCTION IN ZAMBIA IN HECTARES 1987 - 2012
Year
Area
pla
nted
in H
ecta
res
Figure 4: Groundnuts production in Zambia, metric tonnes 1987 – 2012
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0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
GROUNDNUTS PRODUCTION IN ZAMBIA, METRIC TONNES 1987 - 2012
Year
gnut
pro
d in
mt
Figure 5: Groundnuts Yields 1987 - 2012
20122011
20102009
20082007
20062005
20042003
20022001
20001999
19981997
19961995
19941993
19921991
19901989
19881987
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
GROUNDNUTS YIELD PER HECTARE IN METRIC TONNE IN ZAMBIA ,1987 - 2012
Year
Yiel
d pe
r hec
tare
2.3 Groundnuts Marketing
Figure 6 depicts groundnuts sales in the country. The volumes of groundnut sales have been
low in the country over a number of years due to the low production the country has been
recording. As production started rising especially from 2007 onwards, sales also rose
proportional to production reaching highest in 2011 and then having a drastic decline in 2012.
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One important point to note is that the informal supply chain accounts for the major share of
groundnut sales in Zambia and the major players in this group include the smallholder
farmers, the brief case traders; the village based micro processors and the informal cross-
border traders.
Figure 6: Groundnuts Sales in Zambia, Metric Tonnes 1987 – 2012
20122011
20102009
20082007
20062005
20042003
20022001
20001999
19981997
19961995
19941993
19921991
19901989
19881987
0100002000030000400005000060000700008000090000
100000
GROUNDNUTS SALES IN ZAMBIA, METRIC TONNES 1987 - 2012
Year
Sale
s in
mt
3.0 THE STRUCTURE OF ZAMBIA’S GROUNDNUT VALUE CHAIN – STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS
There are a number of value chain players in the groundnuts value chain. Figure 7 shows a
sketch or structure of the Zambian Groundnuts value chain. The major players in this chain
are summarised below:
Seed companies
Zambia has a number of seed companies (ZAMSEED, MRI, SEEDCO, MONSANTO,
PANNAR Seed, etc who supply seed to smallholder farmers. Most of these companies are
located along the line of rail as such their outreach to the majority of the producers is limited.
In addition, these companies prefer to trade in maize seed which has a big market from the
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government subsidy programme. As a result these companies have invested very little in
groundnuts seed production.
Traders
Traders provide a market to farmers and also act as suppliers to food processors and
exporters. They are sometimes referred to as brief case traders but they play a vital link
between producers and processors. The interest of this group of players is to make quick
money before the smallholder farmers take their groundnut to big markets of big buyers.
However the biggest challenge is that most these traders operate along the line of rail with
easy access and good road infrastructure network leaving out the outlying areas.
Smallholder farmers
Smallholder farmers form the biggest and most important group of stakeholders in the
groundnut value chain. Smallholder farmers either operate in groups or individuals. This
group has very limited seed multiplication capacity and is reluctant to invest in basic seed,
hence their continued use of recycled seed.
Food Processors
This group provides peanut butter, roasted nuts, and oil intermediaries who interface with the
end users who are the consumers. A number of big companies and organizations belong to
this group of players. The majority of them have the capacity to buy the groundnuts from the
traders, value add and export or sale within the country. However, Zambia’s groundnuts
processing industry is fragmented, has inadequate capacity or access to finance. There are no
international recognised groundnuts processors in the country. The processors are interested
in adding value to the groundnuts to produce a number of products such as peanut butter,
salted nuts, paste, oil, seed cake for animal feed and other products. This group is mainly
concerned with aflatoxin.
Supermarkets, Food Service Suppliers, Restaurants, hotels, canteens and bars
These provide a major market for intermediaries and farmers, as they service the needs of the consumers. They are involved in this business for profit.
Exporters/importers
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These are those business entities that export and import the commodity and its finished
products. They are in the business for profit. Currently Zambia has inadequate capacity to be
a player in the main export markets. Limited informal trade has been recorded through
Chipata into Malawi and Mozambique. In addition, limited trade has also been made into
South Africa.
Consumers
Consumers are the end users of the following end market products are: fresh unshelled nuts in
bulk, dry unshelled nuts in bulk, shelled nuts in bulk, packaged unshelled nuts, and processed
shelled nuts with flavourings, peanut butter, oil and cake. Consumers normally are interested
in high quality cheap products. Currently, most Zambian consumers are not aware of the
potential nhealth risks associated with the consumption of aflatoxin infected groundnuts.
Value chain service providers
These comprise of a range of institutions such as seed research institutions, seed
multiplication out-growers, seed companies, input suppliers and non state actors. Their
interest is mainly in improving both production and productivity through research and
extension work. Service providers especially from government departments have been failing
to fulfil the mandate in promoting groundnuts mainly due to human and financial challenges.
Figure 7: Structure of Zambia’s Groundnut Value Chain
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4. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE GROUNDNUTS VALUE CHAIN IN ZAMBIAThere are a number of opportunities and challenges associated with the groundnuts value
chain and these are summarised below:
4.1 Challenges
Production Constraints
Limited crop management skills, inadequate pest, disease and weed control resulting in
low yields and high losses
Poor harvesting, drying and storage skills increase aflatoxin risk
Lack of knowledge and information on markets/market specifications
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Input Suppliers
Producers
Traders/first stage processors
Small scale processors
Peanut ButterManufacturers
OilManufacturers
ConfectioneryProcessors
Importers
Wholesalers
Retailers
Consumers
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High labour input during harvest and immediate post harvest
Lack of basic de-shelling equipment
Lack of micro-finance
Farmer malpractices e.g. soak nuts and add foreign bodies to increase weight when
selling
Lack of farmer commodity organisation e.g. soak nuts and add foreign bodies to increase
weight when selling
Lack of a groundnuts commodity association
Input Constraints
Limited information on input usage by farmers
Few input supply points
Lack of basic seed on the market
Use of recycled seed and non-certified seed leading to reduced yields and lowering trust
in seed products
Underdeveloped out-grower networks
Limited interest by seed companies
Limited access to finance
Supply-Processors and Processing & Storage Constraints
Limited premium for higher special nuts
Trader malpractices e.g. inaccurate scales
Supply according to specifications
Erratic supply/inconsistent demand
Lack of selling/marketing facilities
Side selling undermines and limits development of out-grower schemes
Inadequate sorting and grading adds processors costs and limits value addition
Lack of modern processing equipment
Lack of appropriate packaging plants
Limited access to finance by traders
Lack of organised market by farmers and traders
Lack of aflatoxin testing facilities/equipment
Sales and Distribution Constraints
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Cross contamination in storage/logistics chain
Product inconsistency
Aflatoxin
Reliability of supply
High prices/price fluctuations destabilise market
Inconsistence specifications
Inability to access international markets
Little incentives to produce to specifications
Market/Demand Constraints
Unsafe high levels of aflatoxin
Lack of infrastructure to meet international market requirements
Downgraded groundnut/products due to poor practices
Lack of appreciation of standards/grading system
Inadequate use of scales at selling points
Shortage of all grades with demand outstripping supply
4.2. Opportunities
Zambia has favourable climate and good soils which are ideal for growing groundnuts. In
addition there is high demand for groundnuts both internally and on the export market.
Taking advantage of this market could have a substantial impact on the economy of small-
scale farmers involved. The major constraint to accessing this market on a large scale is
control of aflotoxin. Harvesting systems and early access to hygienic shelling capability
together with the use of storage and packaging systems followed by testing with modern
equipment can overcome this constraint and open Zambia’s production to the export market.
The low productivity and poor quality product is a challenge to be addressed through a
breeding programme and extension work by a party with commercial interest in the
successful outcome of such efforts. The commercial incentive will arise from the
establishment of aflotoxin control systems and open access to export markets. This is
dependent upon the business enabling environment and the willingness of investors to
commit themselves to a sustained effort to turn the industry around and regain at least some
of the former status that it enjoyed under private management.
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A risk associated with all export enterprises in Zambia and elsewhere is exchange rate
movements, particularly in the context of an industry in which the majority of the costs of
production are Kwacha based. Many agricultural export sectors have failed due to
appreciation of the Kwacha, which although ostensibly subject to free market forces, is in fact
subject to a large measure of central control that is driven more by the interests of consumers
of imported goods than by exporters.
5. CURRENT RESEARCH
There are currently a lot of support being undertaken in the country on groundnuts to assist in
understanding and resolving the constraints identified. The Smallholder Agribusiness
Promotion Programme (SAPP) Implementation Plan (2012) provides detailed information
with regard to the organisations and programs undertaking support activities in the
groundnuts value chain and this is reproduced in the Table below
Organisation Type of Support engaged in LocationMsekera Research Institute Variety research and support to
seed certificationEastern Province
Misamfu Research Institute Variety research and support to seed certification
Northern Province
Zambia Agriculture Research Institute
Agricultural research and aflatoxin issues
Nationwide
Seed Control and Certification Institute
Seed certification and control Nationwide
Seed companies Possible seed multiplication and distribution
Eastern and Northern Provinces
Profit + Farmer training, household food security, market access and Aflatoxin control
Eastern Province
Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP)
FISP has been extended to cover groundnuts. This will create a major pull for private sector investments in inputs, processing and marketing
Nationwide
Dunavant Groundnuts input supply and marketing. Possible out-grower development
Eastern Province
Cotton Association of Zambia (CAZ)
Farmer mobilisation into growing of groundnuts
MUSIKA Support to out-grower development in groundnuts
Eastern Province
Zambia National Farmers Union
Support to the development of oilseed commodity association
Nationwide
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Organisation Type of Support engaged in Locationwhich includes groundnuts
Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute (IAPRI)
Commodity research and policy development and also support to commodity association
Nationwide
World Vision Seed distribution to small scale farmers
Eastern Province
Katopola Agriculture Engineering Services
Manufacturing of groundnuts shellers and lifters
Eastern Province
GIAZ Groundnuts Commodity Association
Nationwide
COMACO Groundnut out-grower and processor
Eastern Province
Jungle Beat Groundnut out-grower and processor
Eastern Province
Kingdom Delicacy Groundnut out-grower and processor
Eastern Province
6. KEY FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Key Findings and Conclusions:
The following conclusions may be drawn based on information gathered from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Livestock and from reviewed literature:
1. Zambia has very limited seed multiplication capacity and farmers are reluctant to invest
in basic seed, hence the continued use of recycled seed in the country.
2. The Zambian groundnut industry is riddled with lack of the necessary investments in
groundnut processing. Almost all groundnuts exported from Zambia are in the form of
raw material thus depriving the country of the opportunity to harness the income
generating potential of value adding processes. Developing a strong agro-processing
industry will improve the prospects of the groundnut subsector which has the potential of
creating strong backward and forward linkages in Zambia’s economy.
3. Newly released improved varieties come with special characteristics adapted to specific
enduses. For example some varieties by virtue of their physical (i.e. kernel shape and
size), biological (i.e. high yields, early maturity, disease and pest resistance etc.) and
chemical (i.e. high oil content) characteristics may be suited for specific end uses.
Therefore for Zambians to remain competitive, farmers must be given access to
groundnut varieties which meet the demands of potential export markets
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4. Zambia’s agricultural potential is not being stimulated sufficiently to take advantage of
endowments to create wealth or exploit export opportunities. The cost of production is too
high for competitiveness, partly due to VAT and other charges. Cost and access to finance
is a major constraint to development due to competition from Government and risks
associated with policy changes and exchange rate fluctuations.
5. There is insufficient confidence in the private sector to invest in outgrower schemes for
groundnuts in the country.
6. Delays in enacting the legal framework for agricultural marketing is suppressing the
scope for growth in the free market
6.2 Recommendations:
1. Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock should put in place a
deliberate programme on seed multiplication and sensitise smallholder farmers on the
benefits of using certified seeds
2. Government should facilitate the development of a strong agro-processing industry to
improve the prospects of the groundnut subsector which has the potential of creating
strong backward and forward linkages in Zambia’s economy.
3. Government and other service providers should undertake more training and
awareness on how to improve the level of post harvest handling of groundnuts
4. There is need for more research in the areas of technology development, transfer and
adoption, value addition, post harvest handling, and farmers institutional
strengthening and change management.
5. For Zambians to remain competitive, farmers must be given access to groundnut
varieties which meet the demands of potential export markets
6. Government should look into the high cost and access to finance
7. There is need for government to encourage out-grower schemes for groundnuts in the
country.
8. Government should enact the draft legal framework for agricultural marketing in the
country
6.3 Key stakeholders for consideration at the national workshop
The following are the possible institutions from which potential participants can be drawn
from to attend the stakeholder workshop in Malawi and also to come up with the research
topics for Zambia on the groundnut value chain.
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1. Zambia National farmers Union
2. Agribusiness Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
3. Early Warning Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
4. Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
5. Grain Traders Association of Zambia
6. PELUM Zambia
7. University of Zambia
8. Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme
9. FAO
10. FOSUP
11. Seed Control and Certification Institute SCCI
12. Agricultural Consultative Forum ACF
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REFERENCES1. Chemonics International Inc(2009) Staple Foods Value Chain Analysis, Country
Report – Zambia
2. I-Life DAP (2005), Regional Market Overview – Groundnuts
3. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Agriculture Statistics 1987 – 2012
4. Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (2012), Draft Groundnuts and
Common Beans Intervention Plan
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