AS part of its Corporate Social responsibility, Zambia Sugar provides agronomic extension services to sugarcane growers in Mazabuka district. In line with this policy the Agronomy training team under the Zambia Sugar Agronomy Section extended the Chemical Smut training to sugarcane outgrowers in Mazabuka district.

The one-day practical training was held for farmers in farm 1 field 104 of Nakambala area and all 11 outgrowers were represented. Mike Whitbread, from ATS Zambia, played an active role in organising and implementing the outgrowers’ training.

Zambia Sugar has an existing P&D (Pest & Diseases) internal team, which collaborates with entomologists at Zambia Research Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture. However, in response to the 2014 yellow aphids pandemic, Zambia Sugar and the outgrowers came up with an initiative to form the Nakambala Mill Area Pest and Diseases Team, which will monitor the status of pests and diseases in Mazabuka district.

OUTGROWERS during the practical session of the SMUT Control training.