ATZ trained over 10 additional stockists in 1998. These included several village stockists who could only stock and sell improved sunflower planting seed. Over 80 private sector stockists now sell the ram press in Zimbabwe. ATZ also continues to support field demonstrations exposing technologies to potential ram press and peanut mill buyers. Last year, the project's business management seminars and supplementary training for equipment owners attracted 343 participants.
Publications promote better farming practices.
The project has developed a series of materials to promote good farming practices. Similar publications are being prepared for peanuts. Product sales rebound. During the year 452 ram presses were sold - a figure that, though slightly lower than projected, shows a 54 percent increase over 1997, when sales were low due to unfavorable El Ni o weather. During the peak peanut butter processing period, however, these mills were out of stock, resulting in lost sales.