ZNFU welcomes withdrawal of tariff application by ZESCO

The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) has welcomed the decision by ZESCO to withdraw the tariff application made to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to revise upwards tariffs for all its customer categories.

ZNFU President Evelyn-Nguleka

Evelyn Nguleka

ZNFU President Evelyn Nguleka in a statement says this move by ZESCO will now help farmers increase their production of irrigated crop particularly in areas that are experiencing dry spells in the country.

Dr. Nguleka further states that the move will also make it easier for farmers to engage in planting winter crops including wheat, sugar cane and barley in the next few weeks.

She says these crops require affordable electricity to support massive irrigation regimes for improved productivity to achieve food security for the nation, while earning foreign exchange from exports of the surplus crop.

Dr. Nguleka notes that it was difficult and costly for farmers to undertake meaningful irrigation when electricity tariffs had increased by 350 per cent for farmers falling under the Maximum Demand category at a time when commodity prices have remained low on both local and international markets.

She says while the Union is aware of the limited progress recorded so far in growing the energy sector largely due to the electricity tariffs that have remained low for a long time, ZNFU has always advocated for a phased approach in electricity tariff increments as opposed to a huge one-off increase that would have not only have undermined crop and agro-processing, but also threatened food security in the country.

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