Over K74 Million Disbursed to Central Province Farmers Under Climate-Resilient Loan Scheme

CENTRAL PROVINCE – In a bold step toward agricultural modernization and resilience, the Zambian government has disbursed over K74 million under the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF), a flagship programme designed to empower small-scale and emergent commercial farmers with affordable credit. The disbursement, which focuses heavily on Central Province, is part of a broader K300 million facility that will reach over 10,000 farmers across the country.

SAFF is a blended finance model supported by both government coffers and international partners, including development banks and climate-resilient agriculture donors. It provides low-interest loans to qualifying farmers, especially those adopting climate-smart practices and mechanized farming systems.

Speaking during the launch event in Kabwe, Agriculture Permanent Secretary Green Mbozi stressed that the funding is about much more than capital injections. “This programme is not just about money; it’s about transformation. It’s about giving our farmers the tools to become competitive, sustainable, and future-ready,” he said.

He noted that the majority of the beneficiaries had used the funding to purchase tractors, irrigation kits, solar-powered water pumps, fertilizers, and drought-resistant seed varieties. The goal, Mbozi said, is to transition Zambian agriculture from subsistence to commercially viable models.

To ensure the effective utilization of funds, the Ministry has put in place robust monitoring systems, including satellite-based crop surveillance and periodic community-level audits. “We want to know not just where the money is going, but what it’s producing,” Mbozi emphasized.

A technical committee within the Ministry, in collaboration with local cooperatives and district agricultural offices, has been tasked with verifying productivity gains and ensuring loan repayment mechanisms are in place.

The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) welcomed the funding announcement but cautioned that delays in input procurement or loan processing could derail its impact. “We urge the Ministry to expedite loan approvals and ensure that farming inputs are distributed in time for the planting season,” said ZNFU spokesperson Grace Mwamba.

The union also called for decentralization of loan management to district offices to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by farmers in rural areas.

In a noteworthy development, the Ministry revealed that 40% of the SAFF loan recipients in Central Province are women and youth. This aligns with the government’s agricultural gender strategy, which aims to close the gap in resource access and land ownership among marginalized groups.

“Women and young people are not just beneficiaries they are innovators and leaders in the new agricultural economy. We are proud to see their participation increasing,” said Chanda Tembo, Director of Gender in Agriculture at the Ministry.

Beneficiaries have already started reporting tangible benefits. One young farmer in Kapiri Mposhi, who acquired a drip irrigation system through the loan, said her tomato yield tripled in the last season. “This is what empowerment looks like we just need a chance, and we’ll prove ourselves,” she said.

The Ministry plans to roll out additional funding rounds before the end of 2025, targeting Southern, Eastern, and Northern Provinces next. Discussions are also underway to expand the SAFF model to include livestock value chains, aquaculture, and agro-processing ventures.

Agriculture remains Zambia’s largest employer and economic backbone. With initiatives like SAFF, the government hopes to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build a new class of agro-entrepreneurs ready to compete on regional and global stages.

It’s a Bumper Harvest!

LUSAKA –Zambia is set to record one of its most impressive agricultural seasons in recent years, with a projected bumper harvest of 3.7 million tonnes of maize. This forecast includes a surplus of over 501,000 tonnes, far exceeding the nation’s food security threshold and paving the way for potential exports.

Minister Sylvia Masebo said the bumper harvest reflects the success of well-coordinated input distribution and improved climate conditions. She credited government-led interventions, including the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), for enabling smallholder farmers to plant early and efficiently.

“This yield is not just a product of rainfall; it’s a result of policy alignment and farmer commitment,” she said. The expected surplus may lead to a further reduction in mealie meal prices, a key staple for millions of Zambians.

The Ministry has already initiated assessments on which regions will contribute most to the export window. “We’re looking at opportunities across COMESA and SADC to distribute our excess maize without compromising national reserves,” Masebo added.

Stakeholders in the food industry have welcomed the development, calling it a timely buffer against global food supply shocks. The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) urged government to secure storage and market linkages for the projected output to avoid post-harvest losses.

This comes at a critical time when inflationary pressure on food has eased slightly due to declining commodity prices. Analysts predict this harvest could also stabilize the kwacha due to a reduced import bill for food and increased foreign exchange from exports.

President Hakainde Hichilema continued his outreach to citizens in Kalomo , delivering a heartfelt message of unity, diligence, and national development. Addressing a gathering of residents, the President emphasized the importance of safeguarding the country by “looking out for each other and working hard.”

He underscored his administration’s commitment to equitable resource distribution, highlighting the transformative impact of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). “Our focus is on ensuring that Zambia’s resources are shared equally across all our 10 provinces,” said President Hichilema. “The CDF has become a game changer. Where once we had a meagre K1.5 million, we now have over K30 million being channelled into communities.”

Reiterating the values of national unity and inclusiveness, the President encouraged citizens to embrace one another regardless of background or region. “Where there is hatred, we take love. Where there is no development, we take development. Where there is violence, we take peace,” he stated, reinforcing the message that all Zambians must play a role in building a peaceful and prosperous nation.

President Hichilema also called on communities to use the expanded development fund responsibly and transparently to ensure long-term, sustainable growth that benefits every citizen.

Tayali Declares HH Likely to Win 2026 by Default as Opposition Falters

In a powerful and sobering address shared on social media, Economic and Equity Party leader Chilufya Tayali has delivered a sharp analysis of Zambia’s current political terrain, warning that President Hakainde Hichilema is likely to retain power in the 2026 general elections not because of overwhelming popularity, but because the opposition has failed to offer a credible alternative.

Tayali, known for his outspoken and at times polarizing commentary, emphasized that he does not support President Hichilema personally but is simply interpreting the political landscape as it stands. Despite growing dissatisfaction with the government, particularly on economic and governance issues, he argued that the opposition remains disorganized, fragmented, and without a unified message strong enough to sway the majority of voters.

According to his assessment, if the current status quo remains unchanged, there will be no transfer of power in 2026. The opposition, in his view, has not yet done the groundwork to inspire or rally the Zambian public around a different vision. What exists instead is a scattered front, riddled with infighting and lacking a solid grassroots strategy to penetrate beyond social media and urban frustration.

He pointed out that social media, which often reflects real-time political sentiment, continues to show significant support for Hichilema. While critical posts about the president attract engagement, many of the responses still defend or support the head of state, indicating that his base, though smaller than in 2021, is far from erased. The presence of this core support group, especially among educated urban voters and rural loyalists, gives the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) a consistent, if reduced, advantage.

At the same time, the opposition has been slow to build its narrative. The former ruling Patriotic Front remains entangled in internal leadership battles and credibility issues, while other emerging political formations have yet to demonstrate nationwide influence or coherent platforms. Public discontent, Tayali warned, does not automatically translate into political momentum if there is no one to channel that energy effectively.

This political vacuum creates a dangerous illusion for opposition supporters who assume the public is ready for change. The absence of clear leadership, a compelling message, or national coordination means that many voters may return to the familiar, however flawedrather than risk the unknown.

Tayali’s analysis reflects a broader truth quietly acknowledged by many political observers: the path to 2026 is not only about the incumbent’s performance but equally about the opposition’s ability to earn the public’s trust. Zambia’s recent electoral history shows that transitions of power require not just public anger, but strategic preparation and unity on the part of challengers.

While President Hichilema’s government has struggled with high expectations, especially regarding job creation, the cost of living, and youth empowerment, his administration has retained key support from international partners, maintained relative macroeconomic stability, and continued implementing institutional reforms. These factors may not excite the average voter but contribute to a perception of steadiness, especially in contrast to a chaotic opposition front.

Tayali’s comments, stripped of partisanship, offer an uncomfortable but necessary mirror to both sides of Zambia’s political aisle. For the ruling party, it is a call not to grow complacent. For the opposition, it is a challenge to step out of rhetorical battles and build real, on-the-ground political machinery before the 2026 campaign season is fully underway.

If nothing changes, Zambia may head into the next election not with a contest of ideas but with a quiet, reluctant confirmation of the incumbent. And that, more than anything, may define the political mood of a country caught between fatigue and frustration.