Zambia advances smart farming implementation as first cohort of farmers begins protected agriculture training

Zambia’s horticulture sector faces growing pressure from climate variability, rising urban demand for safe vegetables, and limited adoption of modern production systems. Protected agriculture offers a pathway to year-round production, higher yields, and reduced resource use.

Against this backdrop, the country is taking another decisive step toward agricultural transformation as thirteen lead farmers begin specialized training in protected agriculture under the Smart Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods Project.

The training signals continued progress following the national project launch in mid-2025. Momentum strengthened later that year when Her Honour the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs. WK Mutale Nalumango, officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Smart Farming Centre of Excellence at the Natural Resources Development College during the World Food Day commemorations on 16 October 2025, underscoring national commitment to innovation and resilient food systems.

A cornerstone of the initiative is the planned transformation of the Centre of Excellence, where FAO will convert existing greenhouses into a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve as a national hub for innovation, skills development, and technology transfer once launched later this year.

The Centre will function as a national training platform, demonstration site, and innovation hub where farmers, extension officers, students, and agribusiness actors can access modern horticultural technologies.

Opening the training, Chief Agricultural Officer responsible for horticulture in the Ministry of Agriculture, Morton Mwanza stressed the importance of ensuring that progress extends beyond the project lifecycle, emphasizing that “innovation must outlive the project lifespan” as he reaffirmed the Government of Zambia’s commitment to modernizing agriculture.

Echoing this vision, FAO Representative Suze Percy-Filippini described the initiative as a strategic investment in the country’s agricultural future, noting that “the future of agriculture depends on the investments we make today,” and highlighting FAO’s role in supporting farmers to build a more resilient and sustainable food system.

Emphasizing the value of global partnerships, JaeHyeong Yu, seconded Officer from the Republic of Korea to FAO, stated that “investing in agricultural innovation is essential to building resilient food systems,” adding that the Government of the Republic of Korea is proud to partner with Zambia in supporting smallholder farmers.

At the farm level, the impact of the initiative is already resonating. Mwangala Mpofana, owner of Ngala Farms in Barlastone Park, Lusaka, observed that “smart farming is opening new opportunities for us,” explaining that the training will help farmers increase production, improve quality, and better respond to evolving market demands.

Technical officers are also benefiting from the programme. Fridah Chitambala, Camp Extension Officer for Kanakantapa agricultural camp in Chongwe District, explained, “our role as extension officers is evolving alongside modern agriculture,” noting that the project is enhancing their technical expertise to support resilient and market-oriented production systems.

The thirteen farmers represent the first cohort of model producers expected to serve as demonstration leaders, while a second cohort planned for 2027 will further expand the reach of innovation. The training brough together farmers from Chongwe and Lusaka, District Agricultural Coordinators for Chisamba, Lusaka and Chongwe, and their technical staff.

Funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea and implemented by FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Smart Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods Project is designed to transform smallholder vegetable production into a commercially viable and sustainable enterprise.

As Zambia advances toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems, the initiative is emerging as a catalyst for innovation, empowering farmers while laying the foundation for long-term agricultural growth.