Civil society organisation enhances Zambian agriculture sector

International network and civil society organisation Solidaridad is making headway in overcoming food security challenges in the Zambian agriculture sector by providing climate, financial and technical support to small-scale farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

To avert the impacts of climate change on agriculture – such as droughts and floods that contribute to food insecurity – Solidaridad, in partnership with smallholder farmer service provider Kvuno, is giving smallholder farmers and women in agriculture better access to input, training, services and market opportunities, says Solidaridad Zambian country manager Sheila Garakara.

“By empowering women through initiatives, such as K’fuya, Solidaridad aims to impart knowledge and skills that help farmers consistently produce high-quality products and yields to not only enhance food security but also contribute to the GDP of the country,” says Shungu Kanyemba, managing director of Solidaridad Southern Africa.

These efforts are deployed by Solidaridad and public–private entities to ensure that crop yields are realised, and that food security challenges are eliminated or more effectively addressed.

The Kvuno project also aims to enhance access to resources, record-keeping tools and digital services for smallholder farmers, enabling them to increase productivity and profitability, says Solidaridad digital technology and SME associate Lydia Banda.

“By providing training and resources, we aim to enhance crop yields and quality, leading to improved food security and economic growth. Additionally, we prioritise environmental sustainability by promoting practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity,” she adds.

Key Focus

Contained within the Kvuno project are several key focus areas, including Solidaridad’s establishment of the Kvuno Soil Labs, which provides farmers with access to soil-testing services. These services help share knowledge about the best practices for soil management and programmes so that soil fertiliser can be used more effectively.

Further, the Vuno Sekls initiative – a network of farmer communities – focuses on improving access for women in agriculture in the country, which, in turn, strengthens the sector, says Banda.

Solidaridad also places significant focus on providing digital training initiatives to smallholder farmers to improve their access to the agricultural value chain in Zambia, and ensure that they have access to opportunities to thrive.

“Integrating digital solutions is crucial to our strategy; by introducing digital services, we enable farmers to improve their practices, increase yields and reduce post-harvest losses,” she adds.

Going forward, Solidaridad, in partnership with Kvuno, will continue – in collaboration with local government members and international parties – to address the lack of inclusivity for women in the Zambian agriculture sector, and address food security challenges across the African continent effectively.

“We are always looking for new partners who share our vision of empowering smallholder farmers and improving food security. Together, we can create a more resilient and prosperous agriculture sector in Zambia and beyond,” enthuses Banda.