In a groundbreaking move to modernize agriculture and strengthen food security, the Zambian government has disbursed over K74 million under the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF). This flagship initiative aims to empower over 10,000 small-scale and emerging commercial farmers with affordable credit, beginning with a significant focus on Central Province.
The disbursement is part of a larger K300 million financing programme that blends public funds with support from international development banks and climate-resilient agriculture donors. SAFF offers low-interest loans to farmers committed to adopting climate-smart techniques and mechanized farming systems, providing them with essential financial tools to build sustainable and competitive agricultural enterprises.
During the official launch event in Kabwe, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Green Mbozi highlighted that the initiative is designed to drive more than just economic upliftment. He stated, “This programme is not just about money; it’s about transformation. It’s about giving our farmers the tools to become competitive, sustainable, and future-ready.”
Already, beneficiaries are using the funding to invest in modern equipment such as tractors, irrigation kits, solar-powered water pumps, fertilizers, and drought-resistant seed varieties. These resources are intended to help farmers shift from subsistence-based methods to more commercially viable and resilient agricultural models.
To track the impact and ensure accountability, the Ministry of Agriculture has put in place rigorous monitoring systems. These include satellite-based crop surveillance and periodic audits at the community level. “We want to know not just where the money is going, but what it’s producing,” Mbozi emphasized. A technical committee within the Ministry, working with local cooperatives and district agricultural offices, is overseeing productivity assessments and ensuring proper loan repayment procedures are followed.
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has expressed support for the initiative but urged the Ministry to act swiftly in processing loans and distributing farming inputs. ZNFU spokesperson Grace Mwamba noted that any delays could undercut the programme’s effectiveness and stressed the need for decentralizing loan management to district offices to ease access for rural farmers.
An encouraging highlight of the programme is the inclusion of marginalized groups. According to the Ministry, 40% of the loan recipients in Central Province are women and youth. This aligns with the government’s broader gender strategy in agriculture, aimed at closing resource and land ownership gaps. “Women and young people are not just beneficiaries—they are innovators and leaders in the new agricultural economy. We are proud to see their participation increasing,” said Chanda Tembo, Director of Gender in Agriculture.
Positive results are already being reported. A young farmer in Kapiri Mposhi shared that her tomato yield tripled after acquiring a drip irrigation system through the loan. “This is what empowerment looks like. We just need a chance, and we’ll prove ourselves,” she said.
The Ministry plans to roll out additional funding rounds by the end of 2025, targeting Southern, Eastern, and Northern Provinces. Talks are also ongoing to extend the SAFF programme to support livestock, aquaculture, and agro-processing initiatives.
As agriculture remains Zambia’s largest employer and a vital pillar of the economy, the government’s investment in programmes like SAFF is a significant step toward enhancing food security, reducing poverty, and cultivating a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs ready to compete on regional and global stages.