Appropriate Knowledge in Farming Makes the Enterprise Profitable

11/06/2026

Mr. Marcel Kalumendo, a member of Katweshe Cooperative in Senga Hill District, previously relied on conventional agricultural practices such as chitemene leading to low productivity and in turn low income. As he explains, “we took farming as a mere way of life so long we harvested enough to see the next season. However, the SIFAZ trainings we received have changed our perception about farming, raised our productivity and change how we market our produce”

Through the EU-funded SIFAZ project, Mr. Kalumendo received targeted training in sustainable intensification practices, aggregation and collective marketing. Through this support, he gained practical knowledge which strengthened both his technical capacity and business orientation. The aggregated beans from the bulking centre at Katweshe Cooperative are sold to Plant Health, and the company then exports the produce to South Africa. For the current season, Katweshe Cooperative has developed a business plan targeting the aggregation of 20 metric tonnes of beans, with an estimated market value of approximately ZMW 370,000. A formal offtake agreement has been secured with Plant Health Agri Ltd, ensuring a reliable market for the anticipated production.

Mr. Kalumendo has achieved substantial gains in productivity and income. Prior to the intervention, he harvested an average of 3 × 50 kg bags of beans from 1.5 limas (approximately 0.4 hectares). Following SIFAZ support, production increased to 7 × 50 kg bags (350 kg) in the 2023/24 season, generating ZMW 10,850 from the same land area. In the 2024/25 season, output further rose to 18 × 50 kg bags (900 kg), with earnings reaching ZMW 27,900. These results demonstrate a more than fivefold increase in production and a significant improvement in household income.

The income gains enabled household-level investments and resilience. Mr. Kalumendo purchased a hammer mill (ZMW 24,000), diversifying income sources and financed his son’s tertiary education at the Zambia College of Agriculture (ZCA) in Mpika. Participation in cooperative aggregation and marketing has also improved market prices and reduced reliance on informal traders.

He now manages farming as a commercial enterprise, reflecting a significant shift in mindset. He reports improved productivity and stronger market engagement, outcomes he directly attributes to the knowledge and skills gained through SIFAZ support.

Mr. Kalumendo is a member of Katweshe Cooperative, one of 143 cooperatives supported by the SIFAZ project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and CIMMYT.  The project has its presence in 3 Agro-ecological regions across Copperbelt, Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern provinces with a target reach of 60 000 smallholder farmers.