By Isaac Zulu
Agriculture expert Dr Oliver Bulaya says the impending load shedding by ZESCO will adversely affect the agriculture sector, saying the government should therefore reduce taxes on alternative energy sources.
In an interview, Dr Bulaya observed that electricity load shedding will have severe consequences on crop productivity, product quality, financial viability and technological advancements.
He said electricity was crucial for powering irrigation systems, particularly in areas where water resources were scarce.
“Load shedding can disrupt the regular water supply to crops, leading to inadequate irrigation and affecting crop growth and yield. Insufficient water supply may result in crop stress, reduced productivity, and even crop failure. In our situation of El Nino and declaration of drought, it is important to take advantage of ground water for irrigation of which electricity has a bigger role in this,” he said. “Electricity is essential for refrigeration and storage facilities used in the agricultural sector. Load shedding can disrupt the cold chain, leading to spoilage of perishable produce such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.”
Dr Bulaya said this could result in financial losses for farmers and affect the overall supply chain.
The agricultural expert said load shedding could disrupt these processes, affecting the quality and shelf life of processed agricultural products.
“Load shedding can hinder the use of machinery, such as pumps, tractors, and milking machines, which are vital for efficient farming practices. Additionally, limited lighting during load shedding can affect farm operations that require extended working hours, such as harvesting or taking care of livestock,” he said.
Dr Bulaya said without electricity, the health and well-being of animals was compromised, leading to reduced productivity and increased mortality rates in the livestock and poultry sub sectors.
He observed that the agricultural sector increasingly relied on technology for precision farming, monitoring, and automation.
Dr Bulaya further said load shedding could disrupt the functioning of technologies, reducing their effectiveness and farmers may be unable to access real-time data and automated systems may fail as well as adoption of advanced agricultural practices that may be hindered.
He added that load shedding could impact livestock and poultry farming operations as it was essential for maintaining optimal temperature and ventilation in barns, sheds, and hatcheries.
Dr Bulaya also said without electricity, the health and well-being of animals may be compromised, leading to reduced productivity, increased mortality rates, and decreased quality of animal products.
Dr Bulaya also said the impending electricity load shedding called for the need to embrace alternative sources of energy.
“Electricity load shedding in the agricultural sector can have severe consequences, impacting crop productivity, product quality, financial viability, and technological advancements. It highlights the need for alternative energy sources, reliable infrastructure, and effective energy management strategies to ensure the sustainable development of the agricultural sector,” said Dr Bulaya.
He said farmers had alternative sources such as solar for irrigation and lighting but all these were expensive compared to electricity.
Dr Bulaya has since urged the government to remove taxes so as to make these sources accessible.
