Agriculture Is The Key To Unlocking Zambia’s Development Agenda

Zambia is endowed with some of the most valuable natural resources in the world—vast arable land and abundant freshwater spread across all its provinces. These resources hold untapped potential to transform Zambia into an agricultural powerhouse.

However, despite this inherent wealth, Zambia continues to grapple with poverty, particularly in rural areas where people live amidst plenty yet fail to reap the benefits.

This paradox lies not in the inability to produce, but in the failure to adopt a growth-oriented agricultural strategy, coupled with the persistence of a “poverty mentality.”

The advent of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) was designed to revolutionize Zambia’s agricultural sector by providing small-scale farmers with access to necessary inputs such as fertilizer and seeds.

While well-intentioned, FISP has unfortunately fostered dependence rather than self-reliance. Many farmers, even those who can afford inputs, have become accustomed to waiting for government assistance, limiting their production to the meager eight bags of fertilizer provided annually.

This reliance on government inputs has stifled the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers, reducing the incentive to invest in more innovative, high-yield methods of production.

This is a reflection of a deeper systemic issue: a poverty mentality that restricts farmers to low expectations. Instead of recognizing the potential for expansion and wealth creation, many limit their efforts to subsistence farming, seeing government aid as the ceiling of what they can achieve.

Even with access to resources, poor agricultural practices have further hindered Zambia’s productivity. Many farmers continue to plant the same crops year after year without employing crop rotation, resulting in soil degradation and declining yields.

Without consistent support from agricultural extension services, farmers often lack the knowledge required to improve seed varieties, implement efficient land use strategies, or adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.

This leaves them vulnerable to fluctuating weather patterns and pest infestations, which have become more frequent due to climate change.

If there is one sector capable of lifting millions of Zambians out of poverty, it is agriculture. However, to realize this potential, Zambia needs a deliberate, long-term agricultural blueprint—one that spans the next 50 to 100 years.

This blueprint should outline how the country will improve seed varieties, increase yields per hectare, mechanize farming, and establish a comprehensive agricultural value chain.

The foundation of this blueprint must focus on modernizing agricultural practices. It begins with research and development (R&D) aimed at breeding drought- and pest-resistant crop varieties, improving soil health, and creating climate-resilient farming techniques.

Zambia’s universities and research institutions should be mobilized to partner with international agricultural experts and institutions, ensuring that the country is on the cutting edge of agricultural innovation.

Mechanization is another crucial element. Agriculture in Zambia is still labor-intensive, with many farmers using outdated tools and techniques. Providing farmers with access to modern equipment, such as tractors, irrigation systems, and precision farming technologies, would significantly boost productivity.

This requires public-private partnerships to finance the acquisition of machinery, as well as training programs to ensure farmers are proficient in using the latest technologies.

Agricultural mechanization should not be viewed as a luxury but as a necessity. Mechanized farming increases efficiency, reduces labor costs, and allows farmers to cultivate larger areas of land.

It also enhances resilience against climate variability by enabling more precise farming techniques such as drip irrigation and smart fertilization, which optimize water and nutrient use.

The growth of the agricultural sector should not be limited to crop production. Zambia has the potential to become a net exporter of agricultural products, including livestock and fisheries.

However, this will only be possible if the country develops a value chain that ensures raw materials are processed locally before being exported. Value addition is critical, as it creates employment opportunities in processing industries and generates higher revenues from exports.

For example, instead of exporting raw maize or soybeans, Zambia could invest in processing plants that produce maize meal, cooking oil, and animal feed, among other products.

Similarly, the livestock sector should not only focus on raising animals but also on processing meat, leather, and dairy products for both domestic and international markets.

A developed agricultural value chain will create a multiplier effect, stimulating growth in transport, packaging, and retail industries.

One size does not fit all when it comes to agriculture. Zambia’s regions have different climates, soil types, and water availability, making it impractical to expect all provinces to grow maize, the country’s staple crop.

A well-mapped agricultural development plan should identify which crops are best suited for each region. For instance, Northern and Luapula provinces, with their abundant rainfall, could focus on rice and fish farming, while Southern and Eastern provinces, with drier climates, might specialize in drought-resistant crops like sorghum or sunflower.

Regional specialization also supports market diversification. By producing a variety of crops and livestock, Zambia can reduce its dependency on maize and improve food security.

Additionally, by encouraging farmers to grow high-value cash crops, such as cotton, tobacco, or coffee, Zambia could significantly increase its agricultural revenues.

Agricultural extension services, which provide farmers with essential knowledge and skills, must be readily available across the country. These services can guide farmers in adopting modern practices, such as crop rotation, pest control, and soil management, thereby improving yields.

Currently, many farmers operate in isolation, without access to the latest agricultural innovations or market information.

Investment in agricultural research should also be prioritized. Developing pest-resistant crops, improving animal breeds, and enhancing soil fertility through genetic engineering and advanced breeding techniques will ensure that Zambia remains competitive in a rapidly changing global market.

Disease eradication is another key challenge. Endemic diseases like African Swine Fever and Newcastle disease continue to ravage livestock populations, limiting productivity in the livestock sector.

For over 120 years, Zambia has focused heavily on mining, particularly copper. While mining has been the backbone of the economy, it has not reduced poverty or created widespread employment.

Agriculture, on the other hand, holds the promise of addressing both urban and rural poverty through job creation, improved food security, and sustainable economic growth. By investing in agriculture with the same vigor as mining, Zambia could create a more inclusive and diversified economy.

Growing Zambia’s economy through agriculture requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes addressing the poverty mentality that has hindered innovation, mechanizing agriculture, developing a robust value chain, and investing in research and extension services.

If Zambia can capitalize on its natural resources and adopt a forward-thinking agricultural strategy, the sector has the potential to transform the country’s economy and lift millions out of poverty. The time to act is now.