55,000 Zambian Farmers Equipped with Sustainable Farming Techniques

A major agricultural initiative has trained 55,000 farmers in sustainable intensification practices designed to boost crop yields while building climate resilience across Zambia's smallholder farming sector.

The Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems (SIFAZ) Project, launched in 2019, is a collaboration between the Zambian Government and international partners. It is primarily funded by the European Union and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

National Coordinator Geoffrey Siulemba said farmers have been reached with a range of agricultural technologies since the project began. The practices include conservation agriculture, crop diversification, intercropping, agroforestry, soil fertility management, and mechanization, all delivered directly on-farm. He added that linkages between research, extension services, and farmers have been strengthened to ensure these technologies translate into tangible yield improvements.

CIMMYT Cropping Systems Agronomist Christian Thiefelder explained that trials are helping transform traditional farming into more diversified, climate-smart, and economical systems, enabling farmers to extract greater value from their land. Agricultural Economist Hambulo Ngoma, also of CIMMYT, noted a significant increase in the proportion of farmers adopting technologies from the trials into their everyday practices.

The programme underscores Zambia's commitment to modernising its agricultural sector, supporting food security, and empowering smallholder farmers to thrive amid evolving climate challenges.