The outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide has affected all sectors of the global economy. Developing countries, including Zambia, are poised to be hit hard if the spread of the virus continues unabated. For example, the sup-ply chain for imported food commodities to retail chain stores such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Spar may be affected […]
Climate change negatively impacts the Zambian agriculture: 16% reduction in maize production due to increased rainfall and temperature variability; Increases crop and livestock diseases. Rainfed agriculture exposes the sector and make
The SGR ensures food security for Zambia’s poorest by: providing emergency reserves in case of shortages whilst more are mobilised, and, stabilising prices by increasing supply. This infographic highlights the case for reducing the food reserve agency’s strategic grain reserve.
During the last five years, aquaculture has taken centre stage in the country’s development agenda and is recognised as a means to promote youth employment, improve rural smallholder household income and food security and reduce the high levels of malnutrition.
This infographic highlights the 2018 budget speech, breaks down the agricultural budget allocations trend over the years, graphically shows the actual allocations in the agriculture sector, refocusses attention to the key drivers of agricultural growth, and raises the major areas of concern. It concludes by providing the way forward.
Africa has the youngest population with almost 200 million people aged between 15 and 24 years. This is expected to double by 2045.
Zambia in the past decade has been experiencing massive grain marketing innovations. These innovations have opened up lucrative alternative marketing channels to farmers, especially those producing surpluses for sale. Private sector investments in the sector have endured trade policy changes which have to some extent hindered their growth. Investments in grain storage and marketing infrastructure […]
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) shows long term progress in reducing hunger in 119 countries worldwide. The GHI is a composite of four indicators: under-nourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality. The GHI hunger severity scale shows countries that are in the: a) low, b) moderate, c) serious, d) alarming, and e) extremely alarming scales.
While agriculture plays a dominant role in the livelihoods of most households, off-farm activities also play an important role. Maize is a staple crop for poorer households and a cash crop for wealthier households. Limited access to land and/or markets are key constraints to poorer households.
Climate is the average of individual weather states, taken over sufficiently long periods of time. While weather impacts our daily lives, climate influences our decisions about where to live, and how to grow food. Climate variability refers to variations in climate on all aspects beyond that of individual weather events. This variability may be caused […]