Rethinking Zambia's Agricultural Productivity

Is Zambia realizing its full productivity potential? The level of productivity in a nation serves as a crucial measure of economic prosperity and societal well-being. Productivity drives job creation, income growth, revenue generation, export expansion, and overall quality of life. As Zambia commemorates 60 years of independence, it prompts reflection on how effectively Zambians have harnessed opportunities for productivity across sectors. This article focuses on agricultural sector productivity, aiming to explore how its untapped potential could be harnessed. How can we ensure that people shift from being only consumers to becoming producers and reduce dependence on foreigners?

Situational analysis

Agriculture in Zambia is more than just a sector; it is a lifestyle for many. Actually, in the 6NDP, it is estimated that over 80 percent of the rural population depends on agriculture-related activities for their livelihood.

The country has 75 million hectares of land, of which 58% or 42 million hectares are categorized as medium to high potential for agricultural production. Unfortunately, only 15% of this area is presently cultivated and less than 5% is dedicated to crop production according to an International Growth Centre report.

Zambia's population has grown substantially since independence, from around 3 million in the 1960s to about 19.6 million as of the 2022 census report by ZamStats . This population growth and the neighboring countries' increased appetite for agricultural produce coupled with their willingness to pay higher prices, presents an opportunity for increased market and export opportunities for farmers.

To put the benefit of the existing opportunities in the agricultural sector into context, the Building Competitive Agricultural Markets for Zambia report by the International Growth Centre estimates that:

If Zambia were to utilize just half of its currently fallow arable land, achieve yields at only half of their attainable levels, and prioritize poultry and fish farming, this could yield an additional $32 billion in exports. It would also provide affordable fish and chicken for local markets, along with maize and vegetable oil as byproducts. This is enough to even clear our entire external debt and provide resources for development.

Given the existing demand, arable land, ample water resources, human resource and other productivity factors, have Zambians been able to maximise agricultural production?

Well, inflation data shows that consumer prices have been on the rise, mostly driven by limited supply of agricultural produce such as vegetables and meat products. How is this even justifiable that we can’t grow veggies or rear enough animals? Zambia Development Agency Food Processing Sector Investment profile report of 2018 reviewed that Zambia is a net importer of horticulture and processed poultry products despite its inherent capacity to be a global production hub for these very commodities.? We import even the very things we produce but how can we justify this?

The biggest challenge we have is this, most Zambians are content with only being consumers. ?

Many people that are good at complaining of high prices but never get involved on the production side of the equation.?

People would rather hope the government or others do something about production without them getting involved but the solution lies in getting many people involved. We really need a mindset shift.

Potential solutions

Reacting to the advocacy for a waiver of duty on wheat imports in 2024, the @Zambia National Farmers Union argued that the move will only give leverage to advanced economies to dump cheap imports on the Zambian market. Agreeing with this stance, we should instead find ways to increase domestic production instead of promoting imports.

It is time to stop looking at foreign investors are the solution to our country’s productivity but leverage combined efforts of many residents. The solution does not always have to be costly investments that are unattainable to most low-income people.

Some basic suggestions that can be considered are:

Compulsory school farming: We cannot have schools that are only successful in teaching pupils how to speak good English with no life survival skill. It should be made compulsory for all schools, from primary to tertiary to be engaged in some form of agricultural production. The students should learn the skill of farming and be helped to shift from being only consumers to producers. This will also provide income for schools and add to national productivity.

Encourage backyard gardening: It does not make sense that inflation in Zambia has often been driven by the limited supply of vegetables and meat supplies when the solution lies in having many people involved in the production of these commodities. Paving the whole yard should be discouraged and people should be encouraged to grow produce for domestic consumption.

Utilise untapped areas: Provinces like Luapula have large water bodies and uncultivated land but few farmers. Incentives can be given to relocate some farmers to such areas and have them boost production there.

Create market linkages for farmers to be able to sell their produce both locally and internationally. There is a need to have a well-coordinated agricultural sector capable of creating a complete link from production to consumption. Similar to what happens in the purchase of Maize by FRA, off-take centers for different commodities could be provided to facilitate their movement from remote areas to accessible markets. In addition, it would be important to facilitate out-grower scheme to farmers for various commodities.

Provision of irrigation infrastructure: The reliance on rain-fed agriculture has become unstable, especially in this era of climate change. Farmers should be provided with irrigation infrastructure that could be as simple as hand pump boreholes as this could enhance their productivity.

Discourage Imports: Instead of having import waivers for what we can produce, let domestic production be supported by providing the necessary needs, be need finance or infrastructure.

What is clear is that the agricultural potential of Zambia is largely untapped with many people having a consumption mindset.

The solution lies in changing our mindset, getting many people on the production side, and reducing the dependence on Government intervention.

Together, we can make Zambia better.