Latest News From COMACO
COMACO’s latest April Newsletter is now online.
Going Green
On 9th April, COMACO launched six new shops across Eastern Province in which customers can now purchase all 17 ‘It’s Wild!’ products.
“For a long time we have wanted to create a special market for customers to purchase our ‘It’s Wild!’ products at affordable prices, helping low-income consumers enjoy the taste and the benefits of our nutritious products.”
COMACO have finally achieved their goal by opening their own stores called Green Market Shops. They have also launched a new and special way customers can buy Yummy peanut butter, Soy, and rice, by customers using their own packaging – called Yopima! Customers can now save almost 25% off the retail price, whilst helping Zambia reduce its plastic waste.
They celebrated the launch of the new shops with an opening event at their new Green Market Shop in Katete. Promotions were held, with raffles and Yummy Soy taste testing, accompanied by entertainment from a local drama group. The honourable guests that attended included the District Commissioner of Katete, Chieftainess Kawaza and COMACO CEO, Dale Lewis. The event was broadcasted live on Facebook and also featured in the evening news along with local newspapers.
COMACO hopes that these markets will reach over 1 million consumers, providing a better source of nutrition along with supporting local farmers who are now adopting new farming practices, producing more nutritious crops that are then turned into healthier products.
Combating the COVID-19 impact with poultry!
COVID-19 has impacted every single person around the world. COMACO saw this impact amongst the families in Mfuwe, which during normal times is a wildlife tourism hot spot, being the gateway to the beautiful South Luangwa National Park. When COVID-19 hit, Park tourism came to an abrupt halt, with many lodges being forced to close and subsequently lay-off their employees. Many of these employees were local residents who had to return to their villages without the skills and means to then support their families. There was a huge concern that many of them would then be forced to take up poaching as a source of food and income to be able to support their families.
So, COMACO asked themselves – what could they do to support these families in a sustainable way? With the help of their partners, Elephant Cooperation, they came up with a solution – the establishment of a village chicken breeding facility, which would give five free birds to individual needy families, who could then start small enterprises to raise chickens. Their aim was to target those families who had been most impacted by the closure of the lodges.
On 7th April, 40 local residents gathered together at the COMACO Farmer Support Centre in Mfuwe, to receive their ‘starting chickens’. In total, 200 chickens were distributed, and it is planned that more chickens will be distributed every other month, as their breeding facility maintains production. They were fortunate enough to have the District Commissioner, Area Game Warden, and a representative from the Department of Agriculture present, who all offered their support to the new program. The vision behind this initiative is for those people who have received chickens, to use them to raise extra income, improve nutrition and also to help educate their neighbours on raising poultry.
Charcoal challenges being met in Mumbwa
A charcoal checkpoint was recently established at Kapyanga, 35kms from Mumbwa town centre. This has given COMACO new insight into the challenges of controlling illegal charcoal trafficking.
Over the past month, Traditional Leaders, COMACO staff and key Government Officials gathered together to discuss the issue of charcoal licensing and its trafficking. An important resolution was made to stop future issuances of any charcoal license until an assessment has been undertaken of the current situation, their weaknesses and how to overcome them. The meeting also heard from the Senior Chief Shakumbila and his fellow Royal Highnesses on how they can use their authority to control illegal charcoal-making in Mumbwa District.
Read more
You can read more about these, and other projects, in which COMACO has been undertaking in their latest April Newsletter. Also, keep up to date with all their news by visiting their Community Markets for Conservation Facebook Page