Zambia’s agricultural sector stands as the backbone of its economy, with nearly 78% of the population depending on it for livelihoods. The country is on track to have approximately 4.1 million hectares of agricultural land by 2026, reflecting steady growth in the sector’s productive capacity. Agriculture currently constitutes a significant portion of GDP and is projected to be the second major contributor to economic growth in 2026, following mining.
The sector operates within a context of ambitious national targets. Zambia aims to produce one million tonnes of wheat and soybeans and 10 million tonnes of maize annually by 2030, through the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP), launched in 2025. For 2026 specifically, maize production is projected to rise above 3.7 million metric tonnes, while irrigated output is expected to more than double to 1.6 million tonnes as climate adaptation measures are scaled up. The 2026 National Budget has allocated K1.9 billion to irrigation and farm block development, with the Presidential Irrigation Programmetargeting 340,000 tonnes of maize in 2025 and scaling to 1.65 million tonnes by 2026.
Zambia’s agricultural landscape is increasingly shaped by climate vulnerability. The country experiences high rainfall variability, which climate change is expected to exacerbate, resulting in higher frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. This has underscored the risks of reliance on rain-fed farming, with only about 4% of Zambia’s arable land currently irrigated. The 2024 drought, which President Hakainde Hichilema declared a national disaster, exposed these vulnerabilities, affecting millions of households. According to IPC analysis, approximately 1.7 million people (17% of the population analysed) are projected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between October 2025 and March 2026, though this represents significant improvement from the 4.9 million people affected during the peak drought period in 2024.
In response to these challenges, Zambia is pursuing an ambitious agricultural reform agenda aimed at unlocking competitiveness, strengthening resilience, and accelerating private sector-led growth. Key policy advances include the Food Reserve Act reforms introducing strategic grain reserve purchase limits to stabilize markets, modernization of the Agricultural Credits Act to strengthen warehouse receipt systems, and the launch of the 2024-2028 National Crop Diversification Strategy. This strategy tackles Zambia’s over-dependency on maize by elevating high-potential, climate-resilient value chains including mushrooms, legumes, horticulture, oil seeds, and other underutilized crops with strong prospects for regional trade.
The sector includes both smallholder farmers, who form the majority of producers, and commercial operations. Women make up 60-70% of the agricultural workforce yet face persistent barriers accessing land due to traditional inheritance laws. With a median age of 18.3 years and 54% of the population under 18, youth inclusion in agriculture is critical for the sector’s future.
Recent developments signal strengthened commitment to agricultural transformation. In February 2026, the Government of Zambia and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) signed a host country agreement to accelerate agricultural transformation and position Zambia as a regional leader in building resilient, inclusive, and market-driven agriculture. This partnership builds on AGRA’s support since 2007 in strengthening seed systems, soil health, policy reform, and value chain development.
To achieve its vision of becoming the region’s breadbasket, Zambia must address persistent challenges: limited irrigation coverage, climate-induced production risks, underdeveloped market infrastructure, and the need for greater value addition. The government’s reform agenda, combined with strategic partnerships and targeted investments in climate-smart agriculture, positions the sector for transformation despite these headwinds.
IMPACT AREAS
Inclusive Markets and Trade
The African Food Fellowship supports leaders dismantling the barriers that exclude women, youth, and smallholders from Zambia's agricultural markets. Fellows are building inclusive business models, advocating for equitable land and financing policies, and forging partnerships across value chains — shifting Zambia's food economy from subsistence to sustainable, shared prosperity.
Resilient Food Systems
The African Food Fellowship supports food systems leaders tackling Zambia's growing climate vulnerability. With millions facing acute food insecurity and droughts intensifying, Fellows are driving the shift from reactive adaptation to proactive resilience — through climate-smart irrigation, off-grid energy solutions, and innovative risk financing for smallholders.
Access to Nutritious and Healthy Foods
The African Food Fellowship supports leaders working to make healthy, nutritious diets accessible to all Zambians. From school feeding programmes sourcing from local smallholders to urban food policies tackling the rise of diet-related NCDs, Fellows are bridging the gap between agriculture, health, and education to address Zambia's dual burden of malnutrition.
