Integrated Farming III in Zambia

21/07/2022

Project details

  • Project Implementer: Mendel University in Brno
  • Donor: Czech Development Cooperation
  • Implementation period: 2022 - 2024
  • Holistic Solutions Ltd participation: throughout the implementation period

Goal of the project

The goal of the of the project is to contribute to the improvement of the living standards of small and medium-sized farmers, specifically in the Western Province of Zambia in the districts of Limulunga, Nalolo, Mongu and Senanga, thanks to an increase in the average income of farmers from agricultural production and an increase in the participation of women and young farmers in independent agricultural activities or community groups.

Objective

The objective of the project is to increase the efficiency of sustainable agricultural production, its processing and commercialization while simultaneously building the resilience of the landscape in the districts of Nalolo, Senanga, Mongu and Limulunga. With interventions, the project will contribute to increasing the efficiency of agricultural production (yield, resilience, diversification), which farmers will be able to sell better due to the connection to production resources and markets.

Outputs

Output 1: Increased production of quality inputs, technical capacities and livestock processing

Output 2: Expanding the production and processing of agroforestry products while simultaneously building the resilience of the landscape

Output 3: Developing business skills and organizing access to financial inputs and consulting services

Output 4: Support of market and work with the private sector with an emphasis on selected value chains and in the field of precision agriculture

Target Group and Beneficiaries

  • About 100 farmers from the districts of Nalolo, Limulunga, Mongu, Senanga selected for this project have already received some form of support in the previous project - bred breeds of goats and roosters, nurseries, ponds, engaged in artificial insemination or honey production. These activities will be followed up, and these farmers will serve as model farmers for other farmers outside the project and will show other farmers best practices in implementing the acquired knowledge. The model farmers will be supported to build the farm as a small business, which means farms as a source of income, not just livelihoods, and the selected farmers will be supported in market knowledge and skills and they will be linked to market.
  • 10 community groups, organizing for the purpose of holistic pastoral management or savings groups.
  • 6 groups/cooperatives that will receive a grant and technical training for management and financial planning.
  • At least 18 field workers of local ministries who will cooperate with the project on the implementation of project activities. Due to increased knowledge and practical experience, they will be able to positively influence entire areas and the next generation of citizens.

The final beneficiaries of the project are the agricultural population of the Western Province, living and farming in the affected parts of all districts. Long-term changes on individual farmers' farms will primarily increase income for the family, which can mean better health care, the ability to send children to school, and many other services that require the exchange of money. Entire families of farmers will benefit from interventions to improve production and productivity. By consuming an expanded range of products, the nutrition of the whole family will significantly increase, and thus the general state of health. The final group of beneficiaries affected by the project's activities (directly and indirectly) consists of approximately 2,000 households, which is approx. 14,000 residents including children.

The Holistic Solutions team focuses primarily on technical modifications of existing ponds built as part of the previous Integrated Farming II project, which is a follow-up to this project, which is expected to achieve increased pond productivity. It also provides training on the establishment, maintenance and operation of ponds, as well as business and marketing training, and the last analyses selected value chains in order to make them more efficient and help increase the sales of farmers' products in local markets.