in Zambia

Large, sparsely populated and politically stable, Zambia has vast agricultural potential.

Self Help Africa’s largest project is a five-year Irish Aid funded local development project that commenced in Northern Province in early 2013.

Programme focus is on two key areas: sustainable agriculture and nutrition.

Current projects cover: food and nutrition security; research into and production of improved varieties of seeds; rural enterprise development; savings and credit; income generation; watershed management; sustainable agriculture and environmental rehabilitation.

The country programme works primarily through farmer commodity producer groups, seed producer groups, research stations, local NGOs, civil society organisations and local government to reach smallholder farmers.

Full Name: Republic of Zambia
Population: 17.6 million (World Bank Data 2018)
Population Growth (Yearly): 3.01%
Capital: Lusaka
Area: 581,309 SQ KM (224,080 SQ Miles)
Major Languages: English (Official),Bemba, Tonga, Numerous indigenous languages
Major Religions: Christianity, Traditional Beliefs

ENHANCED LIVESTOCK TRADE AND ENTERPRISE II (ELITE II)
Eastern Province
This project aims to improve the productivity of key livestock production systems and to strengthen smallholders position within the value chain. At community level, ELITE II provides organisational and technical training to new and existing Livestock Producer Groups and opportunities for learning exchanges between groups. The project also links goat farmers to financial services and micro-finance institutions to enable access to working capital and investment in inputs. SHA are also working with three District Livestock Associations to improve sector coordination, formalise processes, and develop market information systems.

STRENGTHENING OF CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN KAFUE SUB BASIN
Southern, Lusaka, and Central provinces
This project aims to help rural farming communities adapt to current climate variability and the long-term consequences of climate change. Working with the local government and our partners, SHA is supporting communities to contribute to district climate change adaption plans, so that their concerns and needs are addressed. Communities are also receiving advice and financial support to manage community projects, which will enable them to adapt to the
changing climate conditions.

COMMUNITY-BASED SEED ENTERPRISES AND PARTICIPATORY CROP IMPROVEMENT
Eastern, Southern, Central, Muchinga, Northern and Lusaka provinces
The project is building the capacity of the local seed grower associations by providing technical assistance on business planning, financial management and governance. We are
building seed growers’ capacity to produce seed at consistent quality to improve farmers’ access to quality seed and create viable business opportunities for seed growers. SHA is also working with Seed Grower Associations and their smallholder farmer members to increase production of early generation indigenous seed and to develop a better understanding of how
the different varieties perform under conservation agriculture practices in the different geographical regions of Zambia.

KAOMA FARM DEVELOPMENT
Western province
Kaoma Cheshire Community Care Centre cares for orphans who have lost one or both parents because of AIDS. The aim of this project is to increase crop and livestock production, market access, and income security to sustainably support activities at the Cheshire Homes Orphanage. To alleviate the pressures on the Orphanage, Self Help Africa is providing technical assistance to management on best practice in crop and livestock production, seed multiplication and marketing of the farm produce. Conservation agriculture techniques are also being introduced so that crops are more resilient to the increasingly irregular weather patterns in the area.

NUTRITION SENSITIVE VALUE CHAINS
Northern province
The project’s objective is to promote the availability, accessibility and consumption of diverse, safe and nutritious foods for improved household nutrition and health. This will be delivered through linkages formed with the private sector, trainings on food quality and nutrition, and knowledge dissemination through multimedia. The project will collaborate with a variety of Zambian actors, including the University of Zambia, agro-dealers, government extension staff, cooperatives and smallholder farmers to focus on building local capacity.

PATHWAYS TO SELF-RELIANCE FOR REFUGEES
Kalumbila & Kaoma districts
This project supports refugee households to increase self-reliance over an 18-month period, through providing training on agriculture, setting up savings and credit groups, providing a productive asset chosen by the participant and facilitating links to potential markets. In addition, each participant is also assigned a case worker who mentors them throughout the project. The project works with 300 vulnerable households from refugee and host communities to increase self-sufficiency. This will reduce dependency on aid, and enable
these vulnerable households to meet their livelihood requirements.

IRISH AID LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (IALDP)
Northern province
Since 2013 SHA has been implementing the IALDP – an integrated livelihoods programme focusing on improving the livelihoods, health and food and nutrition security of over 17,000 smallholder households. We have been working to increase agricultural production, productivity and marketing, promote improved nutrition and health education, and support local authorities to improve service delivery. So far, assessments have shown promising results; more mothers are now providing appropriate food and hygiene for their infants, and households have seen their disposable income and production levels of important nutritious crops increase. Now in the final phase-out stage, the programme is working with local government to ensure a smooth handover and sustainable exit strategy.