The Zambian government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering smallholder farmers in rural and resettlement areas by adopting a market-oriented approach to agriculture. Permanent Secretary for Resettlement in the Office of the Vice President, Mavis Nkomeshya, has disclosed that the newly approved 2024 Resettlement Policy will address critical challenges faced by small-scale farmers, including market linkages, limited participation of women, and access to extension services.
Speaking at a sector meeting for livelihood programs in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa resettlement areas with representatives from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ms. Nkomeshya emphasized that the government aims to transform resettlement schemes into agricultural production hubs.
“The revised policy will enhance productivity, increase participation of the active age group in resettlements, strengthen service coordination, and mainstream gender, disability, and environmental concerns into the resettlement program,” she stated.
A Business Approach to Smallholder Farming
Ms. Nkomeshya stressed that smallholder farmers should be recognized as business entities rather than just household producers. She urged for greater investment in market-oriented agriculture and climate-smart farming methods to counter the adverse effects of climate change.
“With increasing climate challenges, the transition to climate-smart agriculture has never been more urgent. We must invest in sustainable and adaptive farming methods to ensure long-term food security,” she added.
JICA’s Role in Farmer Empowerment
JICA representative Kato Shinichiro highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to support smallholder farmers. Over the past five years, JICA has been working with the Ministry of Agriculture to build the capacity of 300 farmers in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa under the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) project.
According to Mr. Shinichiro, the SHEP initiative has enabled farmers to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, leading to profit increases of 60-70% despite drought conditions.
“Our approach under SHEP has focused on making farmers independent and confident in farming as a business. The results have been promising, with 70-80% of farmers actively participating and benefiting from the program,” he said.
He further revealed that JICA is in the process of formulating a new project that will focus on the regional development of Meheba and Mayukwayukwa, with an expected launch later this year or early next year.
However, Mr. Shinichiro raised concerns about the low participation of women in the project, attributing it to cultural norms. He called for deliberate efforts to ensure inclusivity and increased participation of women in agricultural development programs.
With the government’s policy reforms and continued collaboration with international partners, Zambia’s resettlement areas are poised to become centers of agricultural innovation and economic growth, fostering a sustainable future for smallholder farmers across the country.