We’re hopeful agriculture sector will improve in HH’s second term – NASFA

The National Association for Smallholder Farmers (NASFA) has voiced strong optimism regarding the trajectory of Zambia's agricultural landscape under the newly commenced second term of President Hakainde Hichilema's administration. Speaking through Association Executive Director Prof Frank Kayula, NASFA pointed to encouraging indicators witnessed recently, notably the prompt and efficient manner in which the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has been settling dues for farmers supplying grain, alongside more organized distribution of farming inputs for the upcoming seasons. Prof Kayula noted that these initial administrative milestones provide a solid foundation for rebuilding confidence among smallholder farmers who form the bedrock of the country's rural economy. Following a preceding term heavily challenged by severe regional droughts and erratic rainfall patterns tied to climate change, stakeholders are looking toward the government to pivot aggressively toward sustainable adaptation measures. NASFA has specifically urged the new-dawn administration to prioritize the rollout of subsidized irrigation scheme loans directly targeting small-scale producers in readiness for projected climatic disruptions such as El Niño. The call for enhanced irrigation infrastructure aligns with broader national objectives to shift Zambian agriculture away from its historical vulnerability to rain-fed dependency. President Hichilema's administration has repeatedly underscored its ambition to unlock rural economic zones and foster value addition and agro-processing countrywide. However, farming bodies maintain that achieving these lofty aspirations requires bridging the financial gap for rural farmers who struggle to acquire modern irrigation equipment and climate-resilient seed varieties without direct institutional backing. Furthermore, timely payment mechanisms by state buying agencies like the FRA remain crucial for maintaining liquidity among farming households, enabling them to prepa