Better Farming, Safer Food: Regina Chilonga’s Journey to Antimicrobial Stewardship in Nangoma

11/12/2025

Nestled among tall trees on the gentle slopes of a hill in Nangoma Camp within Mumbwa District lies a farm that tells a powerful story of resilience, knowledge and transformation. Here, surrounded by nature and the sound of clucking broiler chickens, Regina Chilonga confidently manages a vibrant agribusiness she has built through courage and learning.

More than three decades ago, Regina’s life took a heartbreaking turn when she lost her husband in Kitwe. With uncertainty clouding her future, she made the brave decision to move to Nangoma in 2010, seeking a new beginning. She arrived with little more than determination, starting with what she could manage, rearing broilers, but because of the associated high diseases burdens and general mananagement challenges, she  switched to village, or free-range chickens in her new home. The free range chickens was good for her with minimal management issues but the birds take long to mature meaning the income was very slow to meet her daily needs.

In order to mitigate this challenge, over the years she expanded gradually, adding goats, sheep, turkeys and pigeons while cultivating maize, legumes, vegetables and citrus trees on the hillside terrain. Bit by bit, she built a house and turned the land beneath the woodland canopy into a productive homestead. Her hard work sustained her, but broiler production, which offered the greatest earning potential, was strained by disease outbreaks and losses she struggled to control.

In 2024, her journey took a significant turn when she joined the Broiler Farmer Field School supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and funded by the UK Fleming Fund, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia. She embraced this training with a firm conviction that she could return to the broiler business. Indeed, this training was unlike any other she had attended before. It strengthened her practical skills in good husbandry, biosecurity, vaccination, and responsible antimicrobial use—reducing reliance on medicines and preventing drug-resistant infections.

Overall, she witnessed a production system in which broiler chickens were raised without disease challenges or stunted growth, and consequently, without the use of antimicrobials. She also learned the rational use of antimicrobials when truly necessary, including the importance of observing withdrawal periods before marketing to protect public health.

“The biggest lesson I learned was prevention,” she said, explaining how her approach has transformed. “Healthy chickens are the result of good management every day, not medicines when it is too late.”

Today, disinfectant basins at the doorways of her poultry houses ensure that no one enters without first cleaning their boots. Feed and water are managed properly, and vaccination schedules are followed without delay. Accurate record-keeping allows her to track progress and quickly identify issues. The difference is visible: healthier birds, fewer losses, better profits, and less dependence on antimicrobials.

With the newly acquired knowledge in broiler production, her monthly income specifically from broilers now exceeds ZMW 15,000, enabling her to sustain herself and support workers who help to run the farm. This reliable income has enabled her to invest confidently in improved structures and plans to double production and mechanize operations in the near future.

Regina has successful chilldren who are very supportive. However, she is less dependent on her children and is more self reliant, sustaining herself fully through her farming enterprise. “I have grown children who are now pursuing their own careers and agribusinesses, who support me,” she said warmly. “This farm helps me sustain myself and the workers who help me run it.”

The farm thrives not only through poultry but through a balanced mix of enterprises. Beneath the trees, leafy vegetables flourish even in hot months. Goats and sheep graze calmly, providing both income and organic fertilizer. Conservation agriculture techniques keep the hillside soil protected from erosion, and fruit trees provide nutrition and market potential. This integrated farming approach makes the business resilient to market and climate shocks.

But perhaps the most powerful part of Regina’s journey is that she did not stop teaching when she left the classroom. She simply changed where and how she teaches. The knowledge and experiences from the Broiler Farmer Field School training, she has already started passing that knowledge into the community.  Women farmers especially the young ones walk through the forest-lined paths to learn directly from her experience. She supports them to adopt safer, more profitable methods, showing how to improve hygiene, reduce disease risk and use antimicrobials only when necessary and prescribed. “Women learn best when we learn together,” she added. “There is enough space for all of us to grow.”  Her mentorship reflects the core objective of the Farmer Field School, building networks of farmers who continue sharing knowledge long after the training ends.

This week, Regina proudly joined other farmers graduating from the Broiler Farmer Field School in Mumbwa. In total, 283 farmers across nine districts have completed the training, becoming champions of safer, more productive poultry systems that reduce risks to public health.

By raising healthier chickens through prevention-first approaches, Regina is protecting consumer health while reducing financial risks tied to disease losses, a win for both livelihoods and public health.

Looking ahead, she aims to expand her market reach, grow her flock numbers and strengthen branding for her poultry products. She also envisions hosting structured group trainings on her farm, supporting more women and youth to turn poultry farming into a viable business. “Even in retirement, I remain a teacher,” she smiled. “Now I teach safe farming that protects our health.” Her message to aspiring farmers carries the calm confidence of a lifelong educator: “Start with what you have. Learn every day. When we farm with knowledge, we build stronger futures,” she encouraged.

From Kitwe to Nangoma, from classroom to farmyard, Regina Chilonga continues to teach, lead and demonstrate what becomes possible when resilience meets opportunity.