Strategic plan

Strategic Plan 2021–2025

How we plan to strengthen agro-dealers, rural enterprises and the farming communities they serve.

Why we work

Inputs and knowledge, close to the farm.

Agriculture is the mainstay of rural livelihoods in Zambia, yet affordable, quality inputs are often far from the farm. Smallholders travel long distances for supplies, which holds back intensification and diversification into higher-income crops.

Quality improved seed is one of the greatest constraints. Most farmers rely on informal seed, often recycled grain from the last harvest, and yields stay low. Our answer is to build the input supply chain and train rural entrepreneurs to run input supply as a business.

Who we work with

Agro-dealers and rural SMEs: rural entrepreneurs, often lead farmers themselves, trained in business skills.
Smallholder farmers: families farming less than five hectares with mainly family labour.
Female farmers: demand-creation activities are held close to communities so women can take part fully.

Direction

Four strategic directions

1. Agro-dealer and rural SME development

Filling the gap between lead input firms and the farmers who use their products: training agro-dealers (aiming for 40% women), linking suppliers, agro-dealers and farmers, supporting value chain financing and strengthening business associations.

2. Model agro-dealer shops

Model shops as centres of excellence for training agro-dealers and encouraging good practice to be copied, with strong links to private-sector seed, agro-chemical and fertiliser companies.

3. Business development and consultancy

Consultancy services drawing on our in-house and external expertise in agribusiness and rural enterprise development.

4a. Nutrition

Diversified production to close seasonal food gaps: green leafy and orange vegetables, vitamin-fortified staples such as orange-fleshed sweet potato and orange maize, and legumes and nuts, supported by irrigation and better storage.

4b. Climate adaptation

Agro-dealers stock short-season and water-efficient varieties and legume seed, advise at the point of sale and mount demonstration plots, helping farmers adapt to shorter and less predictable seasons.

How we measure success

Rural retailers serving many smallholders, especially women; more affordable and timely inputs; higher yields and better nutrition; higher incomes; a stronger enabling environment.

Accountability

How we track progress

Better data-collection tools and a computerised database of agro-dealers.
Weekly staff meetings and quarterly management and board reviews.
A mid-point open day with associations, suppliers, government, donors and board members.
Baselines in year one, then mid-term and end-of-plan evaluations led by an external consultant.
Quarterly and annual reports, and case studies of community change.

Implementing partners

Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Livestock, ZARI, MUSIKA Zambia, COMESA/ACTESA, Zambia Seed Traders Association, Women in Agribusiness in Southern Africa, Zambia Development Agency, CropLife Zambia, Fertilizer Association of Zambia, Zambia Environmental Management Agency and Agri Business Forum.

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