In October 2024, Zambia and the United States signed what looked like a landmark commitment to the country’s farming sector. The $491 million Farm-to-Market Compact was structured around four specific investment pillars: rural road rehabilitation in agricultural corridors, access to finance for irrigation, electricity, storage, and processing equipment, agricultural policy reform, and a facility to catalyse private investment in agriculture value chains. The language was unambiguous. This was money designed around farmers.
Analysis
Zambia 2026 maize harvest hits record 4.9m tonnes, but fuel costs threaten farmer margins
The 2025/2026 Crop Forecasting Survey projects Zambia’s maize production at approximately 4.94 million metric tonnes, the highest in the country’s history. This represents an increase of about 27.8% compared to last season’s estimated 3.9 million tonnes.
Zambia Launches $3.6 Million Climate Monitoring Initiative to Strengthen Early Warning Systems
Zambia’s $3.6M Climate Monitoring Initiative The Zambian government has launched a $3.6 million climate monitoring initiative, a move that carries significant implications for the country’s agricultural sector, which remains the primary livelihood for the majority of Zambians. Announced in Lusaka, the initiative is designed to overhaul Zambia’s meteorological infrastructure, strengthen early warning systems, and improve … Read more
What Maize Market Reform Means for Farmers Under CATSP
Zambia is entering a new era of farming. The Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP) is the government’s 10-year plan to move from traditional subsistence farming to a high-yield, commercialized industry. For the Zambian farmer, this means a shift in how you access financing, technology, and markets.
Can Zambia Become A Consistent Grain Exporter in Southern Africa?
Envision a country producing enough food but still struggling to move it to markets. Without storage, transport, and clear export policies, a country can harvest large amounts of grain and still fail to become a regional supplier. That is the problem behind the grain basket conversation in Zambia. Many people say Zambia could become Southern … Read more
Can a Farmer Lose Land Acquired from a Chief After Developing It?
Imagine this. You approach a Chief. You follow tradition and are shown land. The headman confirms it and you clear it. You then build a house, construct poultry houses and a piggery, and plant fruit trees. Years later, someone informs you that you cannot remain on that land. Is that legally possible in Zambia? Let us look at what the law actually says.
High Drought Risk Forecasted in the 2026/2027 Farming Season
Climate experts are forecasting the possible return of El Niño conditions during the 2026/2027 agricultural season. For farmers in Southern Africa, including Zambia, this raises serious concerns. Early forecasts sometimes do not translate into exact seasonal outcomes, but they remain important indicators of elevated risk.
Why monetary policy rarely, directly helps smallholders
When the Bank of Zambia reduced its Monetary Policy Rate by 75 basis points, bringing it down from 14.25% to 13.5%, it signaled an interest rate cut. The message is usually positive. It comes with cheaper loans, more investment, and faster economic growth. On paper, this sounds like good news for everyone including farmers. In reality, smallholder farmers rarely feel the benefit.
Is Zambia’s $77 Million Maize Export Deal with Malawi a Smart Move or a Risky Gamble?
Zambia has signed a $77 million maize export deal with Malawi for 200,000 metric tonnes of grain. The agreement between Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and Malawi’s National Food Reserve Agency is being praised as a sign of strong regional cooperation. Is this the right move right now?
Why Chickens Have Combs
If you have ever looked closely at a chicken, one of the first things you notice is the fleshy red crest on top of its head. This is called the comb, and it is not just decoration. The chicken comb plays an important role in temperature regulation, overall health, communication, and even reproduction. This article explains why chickens have combs, the different styles suited for warm and cold climates, how to recognize a healthy comb, what signs indicate problems, and finally, the surprising ways people have used combs in food and medicine.