World Bank Outlines Continued Support for Zambian Farmers

The World Bank has outlined its support to Zambia to ensure continued food supply in the wake of a global food crisis. They explained that they would aid the country through the enhancement of small and medium-scale farmers’ efficiency.  

Samuel Maimbo, World Bank Director for International Development Agency Resource Mobilisation, explained the importance of small-scale farmers in mitigating the negative impacts of a potential global food crisis.

He said that at a national level small and medium-scale farmers play a pivotal role and the Bank would support them by improving the provision of access to finance and market linkages to expand business operations.

 The announcement came as the Director was visiting a farm that had benefitted from US$40 million dedicated to small and medium enterprises. The farm had benefited from US$37,000 from the World Bank funding.

This project had been implemented by the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP). Such projects aim to improve market linkages and the growth of agribusiness for small-scale farmers.

This particular farm had used the funding to buy farm equipment and to improve training and mentorship.

Mr Maimbo stated, “we are impressed, this is putting the support into good use, and will ensure that many other farmers are supported countrywide so that they can improve their activities and contribute to national food security in the wake of the global food crisis.”

The ZATP Project Coordinator, Golden Makayi, explained that 93 SMEs and 133 producers are benefitting from the initiative.

Photo: Guillem Sartorio/AFP/Getty Images