Doc-20240229-Wa0002 240229 195734

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
MECHANISATION STRATEGY
2024 - 2028
FOREWORD
This strategy focuses on addressing agricultural mechanisation challenges in the agricultural sector and accel-
erating progress towards the attainment of the national and global food security goals. The goal is to ensure that
everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life. Achieving this Goal will require
better access to food and the widespread promotion of sustainable agriculture. This is expected to lead to the
attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the targets under SDG 1 “No Poverty”,
SDG 2 “Zero hunger”, SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 “Reduced
inequalities” and SDG 13 “Climate Action”.
Further, the strategy is in line with and seeks to contribute to the national development agenda, as
outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation
Support Programme (CATSP) and the Vision 2030, which expresses the Zambian people’s aspiration to
become “a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030”. It also resonates with the United Party for National
Development (UPND) government’s strategic socio-economic development agenda, focused on
boosting labour productivity and increasing agricultural production to end hunger and under-nutrition while
accelerating economic growth.
Sustainable agricultural mechanisation development is an urgent, important, expensive and long-term

investment option. However, due to the constraints on available resources and capabilities, strategic
interventions will need to be prioritised. This strategy serves as a blueprint for transforming the
agricultural sector through the adoption of modern mechanisation technologies that prioritise sustainability
and inclusivity.
In this respect, the main focus will be on developing and dissemination of information on suitable
sustainable agricultural mechanisation technologies for smallholder farmers and increasing private
sector involvement and participation in the sustainable provision of appropriate agricultural mechanisation
technologies and services along the agricultural value chain. This will require revamping adaptive
agricultural mechanisation research, strengthening agricultural mechanisation training and extension
services, scaling up agricultural financing for mechanisation research and
extension and incentivising the private sector to provide sustainable agricultural
mechanisation services, by strengthening its leadership and governance, as well as other support systems.
As we embark on the implementation of the national agricultural mechanisation strategy, we must

acknowledge the pressing challenge of climate change that the country and the world at large face. The impact
of climate change poses significant risks to our agricultural sector,
including erratic weather patterns, increased frequency of extreme events, and shifts in ecosystems.
Therefore, this strategy places a strong emphasis on climate action, aiming to integrate
climate-resilient practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable land management.
Sustainable agricultural mechanisation is a function of not only acquiring machinery and equipment, but also
considering other socio-economic factors which play a crucial role in shaping the success and impact of any
agricultural strategy. This strategy, therefore, takes into account the diverse social and economic
dimensions of our country, aiming to address issues of rural poverty, gender inequality and access to
resources and seeking to ensure that the benefits of sustainable agricultural mechanisation reach all
segments of society, particularly the marginalised and vulnerable.
i
The strategy calls for committed and well-coordinated multi-sectoral collaboration and partnerships, in
order to efficiently and effectively facilitate and enhance the utilisation and integration of sustainable
agricultural mechanisation technologies along the value chain.
It is my wish that, with concerted effort and commitment from the Government, Cooperating Partners, NGOs,
the private sector; Civil Society and other stakeholders, the successful implementation of this
strategy will contribute to the sustainable transformation of the agricultural sector in the country.
I, therefore, implore all stakeholders involved in the implementation of this strategy to unreservedly
dedicate themselves to this noble national duty.
Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, MP

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS) 2024 – 2028 was developed through a
consultative process, with broad participation and contributions from various individuals, institutions, and
stakeholders. I, therefore, wish to extend my sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to this process.
Special tribute goes to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and the European Union (EU) for the
technical and financial support rendered to the process of formulating this strategy.
Furthermore, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the NAMS Steering Committee,
members of the NAMS Technical Working Group, staff from Provincial Agricultural Offices, training
institutions, representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the private sector and other
relevant stakeholders for their participation, contributions and unwavering support to this process.
I also wish to commend the International and National consultants, for their dedication and commitment in
taking the lead in the development of the strategy.
It is my desire that the aspirations of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy will be realised and
shall contribute to positive agricultural mechanisation development outcomes in the agricultural sector.
Yvonne Mpundu Green Mbozi,

Permanent Secretary (Administration), Permanent Secretary (Technical),
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.
iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 Introduction
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS) 2024 - 2028 was developed within the context of
the national and agricultural sector development planning frameworks. The Vision 2030, the Eighth
National Development Plan (8NDP), the Second National Agricultural Policy and the Comprehensive
Agricultural Transformation Support Programme guide the Strategy. Further guidance is from other
relevant national, regional and international policy and strategic development frameworks and it is aligned to
the United Party for National Development (UPND) Manifesto.
The Strategy represents a comprehensive strategic framework and direction for the agricultural
mechanisation sub-sector for the next five years. It focuses on achieving national and global food security
goals and objectives towards the attainment of targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
especially SDG 1 “No Poverty”, SDG 2 “Zero hunger”, SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth, SDG 10
“Reduced inequalities” and SDG 13 “Climate Action”.
The Strategy has been structured along the building blocks of the Framework for Sustainable Agricultural
Mechanisation in Africa (F-SAMA). It was developed through a broadly consultative process, involving all the
main stakeholder groups in the agricultural sector.
1.2 Background
The Zambian government has positioned the agricultural sector to be a key driver of the economy,
complementing mining, which continues to be the main source of national revenue and export earnings. The
country has enormous potential to expand agricultural production due to the vast resource endowment in land,
water, good climatic conditions and labour. However, Zambia’s agriculture is still characterised by low
productivity due to several factors, including low levels of agricultural mechanisation.
The government has demonstrated political will and commitment to make agricultural mechanisation along
the value chain a driving force in the agricultural transformation agenda. Over the years, efforts have been
made to promote agricultural mechanisation among smallholder farmers through various projects, schemes
and initiatives involving various players, including government, development partners, non-governmental
organisations and the private sector. These have included providing agricultural mechanisation machinery and
equipment to individuals, cooperatives or farmer groups, who were in turn expected to provide
mechanisation services to smallholder farmers. However, these efforts have had limited success.
One of the major reasons for the disappointing performance and low contribution of mechanisation to
agricultural development in Zambia has been the fragmented approach to agricultural mechanisation issues.
This can be attributed to, among others, the lack of a clear sustainable agricultural mechanisation
policy/strategic framework, poor coordination within and between government institutions and
stakeholders, and over-reliance on unpredictable or unsuitable, one-off aid-in-kind or other external
mechanisation inputs.
To enhance coordination and streamline the implementation of agricultural mechanisation initiatives, the
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), embarked on a process to formulate the National Agricultural
Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS). The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and
and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) provided technical support and the
European Union, through the project (GCP/ZAM/080/EC) ‘Sustainable Intensification for Smallholder
farmers in Zambia (SIFAZ) provided financial support. The NAMS will define the overall action plan to
increase and expand the use of agricultural mechanisation by creating an enabling environment for the
sustainable development of agricultural mechanisation in Zambia, to improve agricultural productivity, food
security and quality for the benefit of farmers and other value chain actors.
iv
1.3 Vison Mission and Overall Objective
In order to be sustainable agricultural mechanisation actions must be part of a continuous, long-term process
and thus, the long-term vision in line with Zambia's Vision 2030 is:
1.3.1 Vision
By 2030, agricultural mechanisation in Zambia will be sufficient, sustainable and adapted to the
socio-economic context of stakeholders and environmental requirements, contributing to food security, the
competitiveness of agricultural products, the strengthening of agricultural value chains, and increased incomes
for agricultural farmers.
1.3.2 Mission
The mission is to create an enabling environment for the sustainable development of agricultural
mechanisation that meets the needs of stakeholders, including women and youth, considering economic,
social, and environmental sustainability.
1.3.3 Overall Objective
To make agricultural mechanisation and its services more accessible, of better quality, and more efficient for
the benefit of different categories of farmers along the agri-food value chain.
1.4 Theory of Change
The theory of change addresses various issues raised in the diagnosis to guide the type of changes that will
need to be made in the years to come. The overall objective is to make agricultural mechanisation and its
services more accessible, of better quality, and more efficient for the benefit of smallholder farmers along the
agri-food value chain.
The first change to be considered is to effectively promote and enhance the adoption of appropriate practices
in using and managing agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment efficiently. The objective is to
undertake strategic interventions to develop, manage and disseminate technical knowledge in agricultural
mechanisation. This knowledge will serve as the basis for training, extension and advisory services to enable
smallholder farmers to choose appropriate agricultural machinery, equipment and practices and for
agricultural equipment supply chain actors to provide quality services in agricultural mechanisation.
The second change to be considered is strengthening the demand for agricultural mechanisation by making
equipment and machinery sustainably accessible to farmers. By accessibility, we mean how farmers can access
agricultural equipment and machinery, which can be purchased or hired from entrepreneurs or
mechanisation service providers (MSPs). Accessibility also includes access to various mechanisation services,
such as maintenance (repairs) and spare parts.
The third change is to improve the role of the private sector in the agricultural mechanisation supply chain so
that it effectively and efficiently meets the needs of smallholder farmers by providing good quality
agricultural machinery and equipment and related services on a sustainable basis.
The three changes constitute the three thematic areas addressed by the theory of change.
1.5 Thematic Areas, Strategic Objectives and Interventions
The three thematic areas and strategic Objectives are as follows:

Thematic Area 1: Promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural mechanisation practices among
smallholder farmers.
v
Strategic Objective 1.1: Promote the development of knowledge in agricultural mechanisation among the
actors involved in the agricultural value chain.
Strategic Objective 1.2: Disseminate knowledge in agricultural mechanisation among the actors involved
in the agricultural value chain.
Strategic Objective 1.3: Strengthen the national education and vocational training system in agricultural
mechanisation.
Thematic Area 2: Strengthening agricultural mechanisation demand for smallholder farmers,
women and youth.
Strategic Objective 2.1: Promote access to smallholder land development services.
Strategic Objective 2.2: Promote financial products/mechanisms to enhance smallholder farmers’
acquisition of agricultural machinery and equipment.
Strategic Objective 2.3: Promote the use of agricultural machinery and equipment among women and
youth smallholder farmers.
Thematic Area 3: Strengthening the role of the private sector in the agricultural mechanisation
supply chain.
Strategic Objective 3.1: Strengthen the local manufacture and importation of agricultural machinery and
equipment by the private sector.
Strategic Objective 3.2: Develop a regulatory framework for quality assurance of agricultural machinery,
equipment and tools.
1.6 Institutional Framework
The complexity of agricultural mechanisation and its multidisciplinary nature means that many institutions
will need to be involved to ensure its successful implementation. The Government will ensure that a
comprehensive framework for the effective coordination and implementation of an integrated National
Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy is put in place. The institutional framework proposed is based on creating
a National Agricultural Mechanisation Steering Committee and National Agricultural Mechanisation
Technical Committee.
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Steering Committee shall be the supreme decision-making body for
overseeing and providing policy guidelines on the implementation of agricultural mechanisation interventions
in the country and shall comprise selected relevant Ministries, representatives from the private sector, farmer
organisations and associations, NGOs, Accademia and Cooperating partners. It will be co-chaired by the
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and a representative of the Private Sector. The National
Agricultural Mechanisation Technical Committee shall be the main advisory body to the Steering Committee
on policy and programme implementation of Agricultural Mechanisation interventions in Zambia. The
Director of Agriculture shall chair the Technical Committee.
The Ministry responsible for Agriculture will be the lead institution in overseeing the coordination and
implementation of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy strategic interventions.
1.7 Monitoring and Evaluation
The implementation of the NAMS will be monitored regularly by the National Agricultural Mechanisation
Steering Committee and Technical Committee by utilising an annual reporting framework to report progress.
Evaluation will be conducted to assess the impact of the NAMS by the responsible ministries establishing
base-line benchmarks and indicators in collaboration with key stakeholders.
vi
The NAMS is underpinned on the principles of integration, collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders,
hence monitoring and evaluation shall be undertaken through strong partnership between government
ministries, the private sector, development and cooperating partners, informal Sector, NGOs, CSOs, academic
institutions and other stakeholders.
1.8 Financing
The government will be responsible for mobilising the necessary financial resources and setting up the
appropriate institutional framework. To this end, it will be expected to provide an annual budget to fund the line
ministries to enable them effectively undertake strategic actions targeted by the NAMS. Development and
Cooperating partners will also be expected to participate in implementing the strategy by financing various
strategic interventions.The estimation of the NAMS implementation costs was based on an indicative
assessment of the resources necessary for the activities planned to attain the results defined to achieve the
targeted objectives. The total cost for the five (5) years duration of the strategy is estimated at ZMW 3,681
billion (equivalent to US$ 184 Million).
1.9 Communication Plan
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS) will need to be disseminated to all relevant
stakeholders through a robust communication plan. The National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) in
the Ministry of Agriculture will develop a communication plan for the NAMS. This plan will have strategies to
facilitate communication through different media platforms to smallholder farmers and all relevant
stakeholders in the sector.
vii
TABLE OF CONTENT
FOREWORD....................................................................................................................................................................................
i i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................................................................ iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................................ iv
TABLE OF CONTENT................................................................................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................................................................................... x
Chapter 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................................01 01
1.1 Rationale...................................................................................................................................................................... 01
01
1.2 Country profile......................................................................................................................................................... 0202
1.3 Role of the Agricultural sector.................................................................................................................................0303
1.4. Methodology............................................................................................................................................................... 03
PART I. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION IN ZAMBIA............. 05
Chapter 2. Analysis of agricultural production systems: demand for agricultural mechanisation............................. 06

2.1. Overview of agricultural production systems in Zambia.................................................................................... 06
2.1.1. Main Agro-ecological Regions................................................................................................................................. 06
2.1.2. Types of Farmers in Zambia..................................................................................................................................... 08
2.1.3. Major Farming Systems in Zambia...................................................................................................................... 09
2.1.4. Cropping Calendar.....................................................................................................................................................1010
2.2. Agricultural Production............................................................................................................................................1212
2.3.1 Crop Sub-sector..........................................................................................................................................................1212
2.4.1 Livestock Sub-sector................................................................................................................................................1212
2.3. Profitability of some selected Agricultural enterprises.........................................................................................1312
2.4. Use of Agricultural Mechanisation among Smallholder farmers.......................................................................1313
2.4.1. Mechanisation in crop production systems............................................................................................................1313
2.4.2. Mechanisation in small scale livestock and fishery systems.................................................................................17 17
2.5. Mechanisation among Medium and Large-Scale Farmers................................................................................1717
Chapter 3. Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain.......................................................................................................... 22
3.1. Imports of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment............................................................................................... 22
3.2. Manufacturing of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment.................................................................................. 23
3.3. Maintenance and Repair of Agricultural Machinery.............................................................................................25 24
3.4. Mechanisation Hire Services Providers Business Models.................................................................................. 25 25
3.5. Summary of the Diagnosis: Swot Analysis............................................................................................................. ..26 26
Chapter 4. Institutional Environment Situational Analysis................................................................................................... 29
4.1. Policies and Sectoral Policies with a Direct or Indirect Bearing on Agricultural Mechanisation....................29 29
4.1.1. Vision 2030............................................................................................................................................................... 2929
4.1.2. Eighth National Development Plan..........................................................................................................................29 29
4.1.3. National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP)....................................................................................................... 29
4.1.4. Second National Agricultural Policy........................................................................................................................ 29 29
4.1.5. Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC)......................................................................................30 30
4.1.6. Tax Incentive on Agricultural Mechanisation....................................................................................................... 3030
4.1.7. National Lands Policy and Land Tenure.................................................................................................................30 30
4.1.8. National Gender Policy.............................................................................................................................................. 31 31
4.2. Past and Existing Agricultural Mechanisation Programme and Projects.........................................................3131
4.2.1. 2007 KR II Japanese Grant Aid Tractor Programme .......................................................................................3131
4.2.2. Farmer Input Support Response Initiative (FISRI) project.................................................................................. 32
4.2.3. Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up (CASU) Project.......................................................................................3232
4.2.4. Agriculture Productivity and Market Enhancement Project (APMEP)............................................................3232
4.2.5. Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme(E-SAPP)...........................................................32 32
Viii
4.2.6. Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project.............................. 33 33
4.2.7. Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE)..................................................... 33
4.3. Relevant institutions with a mandate to promote agricultural mechanisation
initiatives in the country.............................................................................................................................................. 33
4.3.1. Agricultural Mechanisation Section....................................................................................................................... 33
4.3.2. Education Institutions............................................................................................................................................... 34
4.3.3. Agricultural Engineering Research........................................................................................................................ 35
4.3.4. Agricultural Extension Services............................................................................................................................. 36
4.4. The role of farmer organisations in promoting agricultural mechanisation..................................................... 36
4.5. Financial Sector & financing mechanisms for agricultural mechanisation...................................................... 37
4.5.1. Commercial Banks and other Financial Institutions........................................................................................... 38
4.5.2. Agribusinesses and Equipment Suppliers.............................................................................................................. 39
4.5.3. Lease Financing........................................................................................................................................................ 39
4.6. Summary of the Diagnosis: Swot Analysis........................................................................................................... 40
45
PART II. AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN............................................
Chapter 5. Strategic Framework and Objectives................................................................................................................. 45

5.1. Strategy framework.................................................................................................................................................. 45
5.2. Future Scenario for Agricultural Mechanisation in Zambia............................................................................... 45
5.2.1. Status of motorised mechanisation......................................................................................................................... 46
5.2.2. Potential for increased Animal-drawn Mechanisation........................................................................................ 47
5.2.3. Role of Manual Mechanisation............................................................................................................................... 47
5.3. Strategic Direction for the Sustainable Development of Agricultural Mechanisation.................................... 47
5.3.1. Vision, Mission and Overall Objective.................................................................................................................. 47
5.3.2. Guiding Principles.................................................................................................................................................... 48
5.5.4. Theory of Change..................................................................................................................................................... 48
Chapter 6. Action Plan and Implementation Framework..................................................................................................... 50
6.1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................ 50
6.2. Thematic Areas, Strategic Objectives and interventions.................................................................................... 50
6.2.1 Thematic Area 1: Promoting Sustainable and Efficient Agricultural Mechanisation
Practices among Smallholder Farmers.................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.2 Thematic Area 2: Strengthening Agricultural Mechanisation Demand for
Smallholder Farmers, Women and Youth................................................................................................................ 52
6.2.3 Thematic Area 3: Strengthening the Role of the Private Sector in the
Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain.............................................................................................................. 54
6.3. Implementation, Monitoring, and Supporting Measures.................................................................................... 55
6.3.1. Institutional Framework............................................................................................................................................ 55
6.3.2. Monitoring-Evaluation and Financing.................................................................................................................. 57
6.4. Financing.................................................................................................................................................................... 58
6.4.1. Financing Actors....................................................................................................................................................... 58
6.4.2. Financial Estimate..................................................................................................................................................... 58
6.5. Communication Plan ....................................................................................................................................... 59
ix
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ADP Animal Drought Power
AERs Agro-Ecological Regions
ADVANCE Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement
AKTC Agricultural Knowledge and Training Center
AUC African Union Commission
CA Conservation Agriculture
CAADP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme
CASU Conservation Agriculture Scaling-up
CATSP Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme
CEEC Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission
CFU Conservation Farming Unit
CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
CP Cooperating Partner
DACO District Agricultural Coordinator
DAZ Dairy Association of Zambia
EC European Commission
EU European Union
FISRI Farmer Input Support Response Initiative
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
FISP Fertiliser Input Support Programme
F-SAMA Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation in Africa
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GRZ Government of the Republic of Zambia
IAPRI Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute
MCTI Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
Microfinance Institutions
MFL Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MoE Ministry of Education
MoFNP Ministry of Finance and National Planning
MLGRD Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
MSMED Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development
MTS Ministry of Technology and Science
NAIP National Agricultural Investment Plan
NAMS National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy
NAP National Agricultural Policy
NDC Zambia’s Nationally Determined Contribution
NDP National Development Plan
SAM Sustainable Agriculture Mechanisation
SNAP Second National Agricultural Policy

SSA Sub-Saharan Africa
RALS Rural Agricultural and Livelihoods Survey
TDAU Technology Development and Advisory Unit
TEVETA Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority
TWG Technical Working Group
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNZA University of Zambia
ZARI Zambia Agriculture Research Institute
ZamStats Zambia Statistical Agency
ZCA Zambia College of Agriculture
ZMW Zambian Kwacha (Zambian currency)
ZNFU Zambia National Farmers Union
x
Chapter 1. Introduction
Rationale
The Zambian government has positioned the agricultural sector to be a key driver of the economy,
complementing mining, which continues to be the main source of national revenue and export earnings. The
country has enormous potential to expand agricultural production due to the vast resource endowment in land
and water, good climatic conditions and abundant labour. However, Zambia’s agriculture is still characterized
by low productivity, due to a number of factors, including low levels of agricultural mechanisation.
Generally, the use of agricultural mechanisation among smallholder farmers is rather low as most farmers still
use traditional agricultural hand tools and animal traction tools and implements. According to a nationally
representative survey conducted by IAPRI in 2019, only 1.7% of households used mechanical power in their
farm operations and on average, 46.3% used animal traction. The average maize yields among small and
medium scale farmers are on average less than 2.0 MTs per hectare compared to an average yield of over 8.0
MTs per hectare among commercial farmers, whose farm operations are mechanised.
It is generally recognised that agricultural mechanisation plays a crucial role in enabling commercial agri-food
systems’ growth and improving the efficiency of operations along the agricultural value chains. As such, it can
significantly influence the availability and accessibility of more nutritious foods, contributing to increased
household food security. Agricultural Mechanisation also eases and reduces drudgery, relieves labour
shortages and improves productivity. In addition, it improves timeliness of agricultural operations, increases
resource-use efficiency, enhances market access and contributes to mitigating climate-related hazards.
Agricultural mechanisation is key to Africa’s ambition to end hunger by the year 2025 as stated in the Malabo
declaration of 2014. The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the African
Union Commission (AUC) launched the Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation in Africa
(F-SAMA) in 2018, which provides a menu of priority elements for African countries to consider in
developing their strategies for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation (SAM).
Against this backdrop, the Zambian government has demonstrated political will and commitment by making
agricultural mechanisation a driving force in the agricultural transformation agenda. Over the years, efforts
have been made to promote agricultural mechanisation among smallholder farmers through various projects,
schemes and initiatives involving various players including government, development partners,
non-governmental organisations and the private sector. These interventions have included providing
agricultural mechanisation equipment to individual farmers and entrepreneurs, cooperatives or farmer groups,
who were in turn expected to provide mechanisation services to smallholder farmers. However, the efforts
have had limited success.
One of the major reasons for the disappointing performance and low contribution of mechanisation to
agricultural development in Zambia has been the fragmented approach to agricultural mechanisation issues.
This can be attributed to among others lack of a clear sustainable mechanisation policy/strategic framework,
poor coordination within and between government institutions and stakeholders, and over reliance on
unpredictable or unsuitable, one-off aid-in-kind or other external mechanisation inputs.
To enhance coordination and streamline the implementation of agricultural mechanisation initiatives, the
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) with technical and financial support from the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the European Union, under the project (GCP/ZAM/080/EC) “Sustainable
Intensification for Smallholder farmers in Zambia (SIFAZ)”, embarked on a process to formulate the National
Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS). The NAMS will define the overall action plan to increase and
expand the use of agricultural mechanisation, by creating an enabling environment for the sustainable
development of agricultural mechanisation in Zambia to improve agricultural productivity, food security and
quality for the benefit of farmers and other value chain actors.
National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028 01

The NAMS will define the overall action plan to increase and expand the use of agricultural mechanisation, by
creating an enabling environment for the sustainable development of agricultural mechanisation in Zambia to
improve agricultural productivity, food security and quality for the benefit of farmers and other value chain
actors.
1.2 Country profile
Zambia is a landlocked country, surrounded by eight countries namely: the Democratic

Republic of Congo to the north, Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, to the
southeast, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west. The country covers a
geographical area of 752,612 square kilometers and is administratively, divided into 10 provinces and 116
districts, as of 31st December 2021.
The climate is predominantly subtropical and characterised by three distinct seasons: (i) hot, dry season
(mid-August to mid-November),(ii) wet rainy season (mid-November to April), and (III) dry, cool season
(May to mid-August). Annual rainfall averages 700 mm in the south and 1400 mm in the north. The cool
and hot months between May and October are very dry, receiving almost no rainfall. Rainfall in the wet
season (November-April) is controlled by the Inter tropical convergence zone, (ITCZ), which oscillates
between the northern and southern tropics over the year, bringing rainfall of 150 to 300 mm per month.
Over the years, Zambia’s population has continued to rapidly grow, rising from 13.1 million in 2010 to
19,610,769 (9.6 million males, 10 million females) in 2022 with a growth rate of 3.4 % and an average
household size of 4.8 people.
Zambia’s youth population is about 50% of the total population. About 60% of the total labour force is
directly involved in the agricultural sector. About 78 % of the women labour force is engaged in agriculture,
compared with 69 % men. It is estimated that 64% of the unemployed Zambians are youth with the majority
moving away from the agricultural sector to fast growing non-agricultural sectors in urban areas. This
results in rural-to-urban migration consequently reducing the labour force in rural areas to work in the
agricultural sector. In 2020, the average youth unemployment rate was estimated at 19.9 %. It was higher in
urban areas at 20.8 % than in rural areas at 18.0 %.
In 2021, the Zambian economy grew by an estimated 3.6%, bolstered by good copper prices, favourable
external demand, good rainfall and post-election market confidence. This followed a 2.8% recession
recorded in 2020. However, poverty remained high at about 60% of the population and the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic crisis was high. The medium-term outlook, while positive, faced downward risks
from prolonged debt negotiations and low COVID-19 vaccination rates. The Kwacha appreciated by 21%
in 2021, reflecting an improved reserve position from the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special
Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation, high post-election consumer and investor confidence, and increased
portfolio inflows from non-resident holders of domestic sovereign debt. (Economic Recovery Programme
Report, 2020).
Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism are key drivers upon which the country’s economic growth
agenda is anchored. These sectors also account for a significant proportion of employed persons. The
agriculture sector provides livelihood to more than 70 % of the population. In terms of performance, in the
ten-year period between 2011 and 2020, agricultural growth averaged 0.4 % while its share of GDP was
5.8 %. The growth of the Agricultural sector has been lower than the annual national population growth rate,
yet it is the mainstay of a larger proportion of the population. (GRZ, 2022).
Infrastructure development remains a major challenge to growth, economic diversification, and human
development. Since 1991 it has been the general policy of the Government to provide an enabling
environment for active private sector participation in the direct provision of goods and services.
02 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028

The limited coverage of roads, telecommunications, and infrastructure constrain the effective supply of goods
and services. Limited access to electricity is a constraint both for enterprises and individuals; access to electricity
is the third largest constraint cited by enterprises in the 2013 Enterprises Survey.
Only about 4 % of the population in rural areas has access to electricity. The share of the rural population that lives
within 2 km of a road in good condition is estimated at 17 %, and it isestimated to take more than 1 hour to travel
to the nearest input market. The spread of Internet services has improved in recent years, but access remains low
in rural areas.
Underdeveloped infrastructure and lack of access to markets hinder agricultural profitability and
disproportionately affect smallholder farmers. Poor rail and highway infrastructure, impede smallholder farmers’
entry into export markets.
1.3 Role of the Agricultural Sector

Agriculture is the backbone of the Zambian economy, employing about 67 % of Zambia's rural workforce and
provides over 15.5 % of formal employment. The sector is, therefore, a key driver for achieving the 10 % annual
economic growth envisioned in the Vision 2030. It also has a critical role in reducing extreme poverty and hunger,
in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2. Mechanisation, as a crucial input, has not been fully
exploited in the transformation of the agricultural sector and has the potential to significantly contribute to
meeting the increasing national and global food needs. The main agricultural subsectors that require
mechanisation interventions to boost productivity and improve agribusiness, are crops, livestock and fisheries.
The agricultural sector contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) has declined considerably in recent years. The
sector contributed 2.7 % to the national GDP in 2020, down from a peak of 15.6 % in 2004. Over the past three
decades, Zambia has experienced extreme weather events such as El Niño, resulting in high rainfall
variability which has negatively impacted agricultural production and productivity.
The crop subsector significantly contributes to the economy, with industrial crops accounting for up to 70 % of
agricultural exports, including maize, sugar, cotton, soybeans, coffee, barley, tobacco and tea. Maize, cassava,
wheat and rice are the main staple foods consumed in Zambia, in descending order. At the national level, maize is
largely the dominant staple food crop, accounting for more than half of the total caloric intake.
The livestock subsector contributes 3.2 % to the overall national GDP and 42 % to the agricultural GDP. These
figures do not include the contribution of animal traction power and manure. The subsector meets national needs
for meat, milk, eggs, honey and other livestock products, accounting for about 30% of total marketed agricultural
products. The subsector generates foreign exchange for the country by exporting live animals, meat, genetic
material, hides, skins and their products, dairy products and processed pork products. It also employs
approximately 50% of the country's agricultural labour force. The subsector also provides substantial household
income through sells of livestock and livestock products and supplies raw materials to
agribusinesses.
The fisheries subsector accounts for approximately 1.24% of gross domestic product (GDP) or 3% of agricultural
GDP. This relatively small contribution at the macro level masks the important contribution of fish production to
the rural economy through employment, income, and as a food source. The average annual per capita fish consump-
tion is estimated at 6.4 kg, which accounts for over 40% of the animal protein intake of an average
Zambian diet.
4. Methodology
The methodology adopted in the formulation of the NAMS took into account the country's context regarding the
level of agricultural mechanisation and the diversity of stakeholders. Therefore, emphasis was placed on the impor-
tance of maintaining a holistic approach that considered not only the engineering aspects, but also other aspects
related to agricultural mechanisation such as the socio-economic, institutional and environmental
dimensions.

A team of national consultants was engaged in the following thematic areas: agro-economics, agricultural
machinery, agronomy and institutional aspects. The national consultants worked under the guidance of an
international consultant and supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer.
The approach employed was also participatory and involved relevant stakeholders in all the formulation
phases. The participatory process include the holding of several stakeholder consultation meetings and work-
shops and sharing the diagnostic results with the technical working group (TWG) for their review. Two essen-
tial phases were conducted:
The first phase included the situation analysis study, which assessed the current status of agricultural
mechanisation in Zambia. It used qualitative methods mainly, to collect both primary and secondary data.
Secondary data was obtained through literature review of available reports and documents from relevant
institutions. Primary data on the other hand was collected through key informant interviews with senior staff
from selected departments in the Ministry of Agriculture (National, Provincial and District level) and selected
institutions as well as through field visits to selected districts within Zambia. Using a semi-structured checklist,
key informant interviews were conducted with public and private extension, research, academic and vocational
training institutions, all categories of farmers and the private sector involved in the agricultural mechanisation
supply chain.
The situational analysis covered the following themes:
agricultural production systems.

agricultural economics dealing with socio-economic aspects.
agricultural equipment, machinery and equipment situation, focusing on supply chain and,
Institutional environment dealing with the legal and institutional support.
The final outcomes of the situational analysis phase, presented in the form of SWOT matrices were reviewed by the
TWG and validated by stakeholders in review and national consultation workshops held in Lusaka on 31st January
2023 and 1st February 2023 respectively.
The second phase involved the formulation of the draft national agricultural mechanisation strategy based on the
findings from the situational analysis and diagnosis of challenges and opportunities related to agricultural
mechanisation in Zambia. The draft strategy proposed strategic objectives, required interventions and an
Action/implementation plan. The draft strategy was discussed and validated in a national stakeholder workshop
held in Lusaka on 24th May 2023.
This document presents the final outcomes of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy and provides a
direction for enhanced agricultural mechanisation use and development in Zambia among smallholder farmers for
the period 2024 - 2028.
04 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028

PART 1.
SITUATION ANALYSIS OF
AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION
IN ZAMBIA

Chapter 2. Analysis of Agricultural Production Systems:
Demand for Agricultural Mechanisation
2.1
The state of agricultural mechanisation in a country is a reflection of its agricultural production systems, which
depend on biophysical and socioeconomic factors. In formulating a NAMS, it is imperative to
examine the existing agricultural production systems in each of the main agro-ecological regions in relation to
the farmer categories, cropping systems and patterns and the type of livestock raised.
2.1.1. Main Agro-ecological Regions
Zambia is divided into three major Agro-Ecological Regions (AERs), namely I, II and III (Figure 1 below),
which are determined primarily by average annual rainfall and to some extent soil characteristics. A detailed
description of each agro-ecological region regarding climatic conditions and limitations of agricultural
production is presented in Table 1.
Figure 1. Main Agro-Ecological Regions of Zambia
Source: Soil Survey, Mt. Makulu

Table 1 : Climatic Characteristics of major Agro-Ecological Regions in Zambia
Region Average Elevation Growing Risk of Occurrence Minimum

rainfall (m) season droug ht of frost in dry monthly
(mm/yr) (days) season temp erature
(°c)
(Dec -Feb)
I Less than 300 - 900; 80 -130 Medium Risk on 19 -21
800mm 800 -1,200 to high plateau areas
II 800 - 1,000 900 -1,300 100 -140 Medium Risk on central 17 -18
to low plateau
III More than 1,100 -1,700 120 -150 Almost nil Some risk in 14 -16
1,000 (less than the south -
1,000 in west
Luapula
province)
Source: adopted from Saasa (2003)
Agro-Ecological Region I (AER I)
Agro-ecological region I is characterized by a short growing season and low and poorly
distributed rainfall, which pose significant challenges for sustainable agricultural production. The average
annual rainfall in this region is between 600 and 800 mm, and the length of the growing season varies from 80
to 120 days. Lack of moisture due to low rainfall and frequent droughts is one of the major limiting constraints
to agricultural production and productivity. This region has been more affected by the effects of climate
change, which have manifested in increased severity and frequency of droughts. In addition to
changes in rainfall amounts, there are also associated changes in rainfall patterns that affect rainfall onset and
cessation dates. AER I has predominantly smallholder farmers and occurs in the major valley systems mainly.
In the Luangwa and Zambezi Valleys, sorghum, finger millet and maize are the major starchy food crops,
while groundnuts, cowpeas and pumpkins are also grown. Farmers use hand hoes for cultivation. Goats and
chickens are commonly kept by farm households and some farmers have a few cattle. The major crop
production constraints include: 1) moisture limitation as a result of frequent drought occurrence and short
growing period exacerbated by high temperatures; 2) low soil fertility; 3) high prevalence of diseases and pests
and 4) absence of animal draught power and equipment.
Agro-Ecological Region II (AER II)
AER II has two subdivisions, IIa and IIb. Subdivision IIa covers the plateau areas of Southern, Lusaka,
Eastern and most parts of Central and Western provinces, while IIb covers the Kalahari sandy areas of
Western province. The region contains the most fertile soils and most of the country's commercial farms.
Annual rainfall averages 800 - 1000 mm and the growing season is between 100 - 140 days. Distribution of
rainfall is not as erratic as in Region I, but prolonged dry spells are becoming common and reducing crop
yields, especially on the sandier soils. The region has been impacted by the effect of climate change resulting
in significant reduction of the growing season because of increased variability in the rainfall pattern, late onset
and early cessation of rains, making it difficult to grow long maturing crop varieties. Climate change effects
have also led to increased flash flooding in incidences.
National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028 07

Large commercial farmers are concentrated in AER II. Their farming systems are mechanised and highly
diverse, cultivating maize, soybeans, wheat, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables, and flowers, and
raising livestock. However, small and medium scale farmers are still in the majority in this region growing
maize, beans, groundnuts, cotton, soybean, sunflower, cowpea and sorghum. They also commonly raise cattle,
chickens, goats, pigs and sheep.
In the Southern and parts of Eastern, Lusaka, Central and Western provinces, the use of animal drought power
(ADP) is a common source of farm power used in farm operations by smallholder farmers, mainly for land
preparation and cultivation. This involves the use of such equipment as the moldboard plough, disc plough,
disc harrow, ridger ripper and cultivator. There is also a smaller percentage of small and medium scale farmers
using 4-wheeled tractors for farm operations such as ploughing, disc harrowing, ripping, planting, fertiliser
application and weeding. These farmers are also increasingly using machinery in post-harvest and processing
activities, such as, shelling/threshing, hammer mills and oil expellers to produce mealie meal and cooking oil
respectively. The major constraints to increased crop production in AER II are depletion of soil fertility, soil
degradation and inadequate capacity to control livestock parasites and diseases.
Agro-Ecological Region III
AER III is classified as high rainfall region, receiving rainfall above 1000 mm per annum on average. The
length of the growing season ranges from 120 to 150 days. Compared to regions I & II, this region receives
ample rainfall both in terms of amounts and number of rain days. However, the region has also to some extent
been impacted by the effects of climate change manifesting in late onset and early cessation of rains.
Small-scale farming predominates and the population density remains the lowest in Zambia. The farming
systems are dominated by shifting and semi-permanent cultivation systems, low input use and dependence on
hand tools (hoe). The level of mechanisation among smallholder farmers is very low compared to AER II.
Crop productivity is constrained generally by poor soil fertility, while rearing of livestock is constrained by the
prevalence of a number of parasites and diseases.
2.1.2. Types of Farmers in Zambia.
Farmers in Zambia are classified into three main categories, mainly based on the size of farmed land and to
some extent the main objective for farming, whether producing for subsistence or for the market. The
categories are i) small scale (less than 5 hectares), ii) medium scale (5 to 20 hectares); and large scale (more
than 20 hectares).
Small scale farmers
This category of farmers is estimated to be around 3,700,000 (ZIAMIS 2022) representing more than 79 % of
all farmers in Zambia and are predominant in all AERs. Although these farmers are generally categorized as
those cultivating less than 5 hectares, the majority (62.8%) cultivate less than 2 hectares, while about 30%
cultivate between 2 to 5 hectares.
Smallscale farmers are mainly characterised as being largely subsistence producers of staple food crops with
an occasional surplus for sale on the local markets. They contribute up to 80% of agricultural production,
especially in terms of maize production, the main national staple food crop.
However, their production and productivity levels are low due to a number of factors, among them the low
adoption and use of improved technologies, including improved crop varieties, fertilisers and mechanisation.
As a result of the low level of mechanisation, the majority of smallholder farmers continue to rely heavily on
the use of the hand hoe for their farm operations.

Medium Scale Farmers
This category of farmers cultivates between 5 20 hectares and are estimated to be over 150,000, representing
about 4 % of all farmers in Zambia. Although a significant part of their produce is retained for consumption,
they endeavour to produce for the market. Medium-scale farmers grow maize and cash crops such as
cotton, tobacco, soybean and other high value crops. These farmers use more advanced agricultural
mechanisation technologies, such as four-wheel tractors and associated implements, including integrated
pieces of equipment combining more than one operation, such as planters with fertiliser applicators.
Medium-scale farmers tend to use more external agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, certified seed and
pesticides, with a higher dependence on hired labour.
Large Scale Farmers
Farmers in this category cultivate more than 20 hectares and are estimated to be over 1,500,
representing less than 0.31 % of all farmers. Their sole objective is to produce for the market. These farmers
employ high management practices using improved agricultural technologies, including the use of improved
high-performing crop varieties, certified seed, pesticides and fertilisers. Their production is mechanised, with
tractors and high-precision equipment being used for most farm operations, including land preparation, sowing
or planting, weed control and harvesting. These farmers may hire specialised machinery such as combine
harvesters. They also employ permanent labour, rely heavily on hired casual labour and rear mostly exotic
livestock breeds.
2.1.3. Major Farming Systems in Zambia
Farming systems in Zambia are classified based on the cultivation practices and cropping systems and patterns.
There are indications that these farming systems have been evolving under the influence of a number of
socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors, including population dynamics, policy changes, climate
change and technological advancements. There has been a shift in the type of crops cultivated, tillage systems
used, and livestock reared in most farming systems. There are five major farming systems found in Zambia
which include:-
Shifting Cultivation (Chitemene System)
Historically, most of the traditional agricultural production systems are based on this type of
farming system. Land is left to fallow after 3 to 6 years of continuous cultivation and therefore, the systems
tend to have very high land requirements. Due to a number of factors, including land pressure, a shift from
typical shifting cultivation farming systems has been taking place.
This is an extensive system, which is unsustainable, especially with increasing population and relies on the use
of hand tools (Axe & hoe) and is not compatible with mechanisation, largely due to the presence of tree stumps
and roots in the chitemene system farm plots, which may present serious operational challenges in the use of
agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment/implements.
Semi-Permanent Hoe System
This system is mostly practiced in AER I and some parts of AER II and is based on cultivating the same piece
of land using a hand hoe. In AER I, the land holdings are generally small due to
limited availability of cultivable land. Major constraints to agricultural production, especially
cropping, include harsh climatic conditions, such as moisture limitations and high temperatures. However,
significant livestock production does take place.

Semi-Permanent Hoe and Ox-Plough System
This system is practiced in AER II, with maize, finger millet, sorghum, groundnuts and beans as the dominant
crops. Some cassava, although not significant, is also grown in certain areas. Livestock plays an important role
in these systems. There are four different cultivation systems under this farming system, which are discussed
below:
Maize/cattle mixed farming system (Central, Eastern and Southern provinces, and Kaoma district) where
higher levels of adoption of ox and tractor drawn implements, for land preparation, planting and weeding
are found.
Central Zambezi Farming system (Zambezi flood plains of Western province) which has adapted to the
specific conditions of the Zambezi flood plains.
Pearl millet, sorghum, cassava oxen-based farming system (Senanga, Sesheke districts of Western
province) where the production is mainly for subsistence, with insignificant maize production but with
more sorghum and millet production.
Sorghum/maize and cattle-based farming system (Luangwa valley of Muchinga province, Chama district)
where the cultivation of sorghum has been declining over the years with maize and other crops, such as
soybean taking up more area under cultivation.
Semi- Commercial Farming System
This farming system is common in AER II, although it can also be found scattered throughout the country, with
the production systems involving mainly medium scale or emergent farmers. Cash crops, particularly maize,
soybean, tobacco, cotton and groundnuts being dominant. The area cultivated is usually above 5
hectares, employing both animal draught power and tractor drawn equipment and implements for ploughing,
sowing and weeding. They also use mechanical equipment for threshing/shelling as well as processing.
Commercial Farming System
These are highly specialised farming systems with big variations. Their characteristics are extensive
mechanisation, use of high-level technologies and management systems and rearing mostly exotic livestock
breeds. More than 60% of large-scale farmers in Zambia are located in the
Central and Southern provinces and are mostly concentrated along the line of rail/urban areas.
2.1.4. Cropping Calendar
The cropping calendar is a practical tool that allows farmers to plan and structure the use of
agricultural machinery and equipment throughout the year and therefore, their profitability. The cropping
calendar considered here is for rainfed field crops generally grown by smallholder
farmers in Zambia. In general, most field crops are grown in the rainy season from November to March. There
may be no significant differences in crop calendars of different field crops across agro-ecological regions.
However, there may be significant differences in the crop calendars of some crops, which may be influenced
by the length of the growing period.
Figure 2 below, shows the national cropping calendars for the main field crops cultivated by
smallholder farmers. The key farm operations indicated start with land preparation followed by planting, culti-
vation/weeding and end with harvesting. As most of these farm operations at
different stages are time bound, it is imperative that they are completed within a given window in the growing
season.
10 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to2028

Much as most farmers strive to complete the activities in a given time frame (window) within the cropping
calendar, they are in some cases not able to do so due to a number of constraints, including labour shortage
and lack of timely access to suitable agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment/implements.
Mechanisation needs for different farm operations to be undertaken at the different stages of the cropping
calendar for each crop should be taken into consideration to promote the development and use of
mechanisation among smallholder farmers.
Figure 2. National cropping calendar for different crops

Cro p Ac tivity Aug Se p t Oc t No v De c Ja n Fe b Ma r Ap r Ma y Jun Jul
Ra in fa ll
Ma ize La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
So rg hum La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
F/ m ille t La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
Co wp e a La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
Co m m o n La n d
Be a n p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
So yb e a n La n d p re p n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
G/ nuts La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
Co tto n La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
Sunflo we r La n d
p re p a ra tio n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g
Ca ssa va La n d p re p n
Pla n tin g
We e d in g
Ha rve stin g Afte r 18-24 m o n th s

2.2. Agricultural Production
2.2.3. Crop Sub-sector
Zambia produces a wide range of crops. The food crops are classified into cereals (maize, wheat, sorghum,
rice, millet); legumes or pulses (groundnuts, beans, pigeon pea, cowpea, chickpea, green grams), roots and
tubers (sweet potato, Irish potato and cassava,) and horticultural crops (vegetables, fruits and flowers). The
main food crops are maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, potato, cassava, vegetables and beans. The main industrial
crops are tea, coffee, sugar cane, cotton, soybean, sunflower and tobacco. The horticultural industry also plays
an important role in the national economy.
In recent years, most food crops have recorded increased production. For instance, the 2019/2020 agricultural
season recorded a substantial increase in production of most crops with a notable increase in maize
production. This was on account of favourable weather conditions, increase in area planted and production,
supported by the early delivery of inputs to smallholder farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme
(FISP).
However, the production of other crops, particularly cotton, legumes and root crops, declined due to a
combination of factors such as the effects of heavy rains, increased incidences of pests and diseases and lack
of quality planting materials.
2.2.4. Livestock Sub-sector
Nationally the most common type of livestock owned by the majority of households are chickens followed by
goats and cattle. According to the Rural Agricultural and Livelihoods Survey (RALS) conducted in 2018, on
average, more than 80% of the households own at least one chicken, 41% own goats, 32.7% cattle and only
15.5% reported owning pigs (IAPRI, 2019). As is generally known the percentage of households raising cattle
is highest in four provinces, Southern with 59.5%, followed by Eastern with 49.7% Central with 45.1% and
Western with 41.2%. Luapula and Northern provinces have the least number of households rearing cattle, with
only 1.2% in Luapula and 7.9% in Northern.
There are a number of commercial processing facilities for various livestock products, which include meat and
dairy products. The major commercial companies involved in the processing of livestock products include
Zambeef Ltd, Majuro Investment Ltd and Parmalat Ltd. There is an increase in the number of small and
medium commercial livestock processing enterprises that have emerged over the last few years.
2.3. Profitability of Selected Agricultural Enterprises
Gross margin analysis is a simple model that is used to estimate the financial returns to a production process.
It is used as a simple proxy for the profitability of a production process. Because of its simplicity, and the lack
of data to compute profits, especially under smallholder farm conditions, it is widely applied as part of the
evaluation of the economic performance of smallholder agricultural production systems.
The capability of farmers to maintain or acquire agricultural machinery depends on the profitability of the farm
enterprises. In this review, gross margin analysis was used to evaluate the profitability of the production of
some of the most commonly grown crops in Zambia. Gross margin was defined as the difference between
revenue and the total cost incurred along the value chain from production to marketing the product.

Figure 3 below presents the gross margins for beans, cotton, groundnuts, maize, soybeans, sunflower and
tomato.
Figure 3. Gross Margins per Crop by Farmer Category (ZMW/Hectare)
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, 2019/2020 farming season
The gross margins discussed in Figure 3 show that smallholder farmers get negative gross margins per hectare
for all the crops except beans. On the other hand, medium-scale and commercial farmers have positive gross
margins for all the crops implying that they are able to make profit per hectare for all the crops. Statistics from
the Ministry of Agriculture show that smallholder farmers cultivate less than two hectares of land which is
subdivided into fields for all the crops they grow. With these small fields, smallholder farmers incur losses and
fail to break even. However, medium-scale and commercial farmers cultivate larger hectarages per crop that
enable them to enjoy economies of scale. As a result, they are able to make a profit.
2.4. Use of Agricultural Mechanisation among Smallholder Farmers
2.4.1. Mechanisation in Crop Production Systems
Agricultural mechanisation in crop production systems among smallholder farmers is low. Land preparation
and planting usually are done manually and access to tractor hire services is very limited. The percentage of
households using mechanical power is about 2 % nationally while that of animal draught power is at 46%.
The Southern, Central, Western and Eastern provinces have the highest rates of animal draught power use with
93%, 68%, 60.5% and 57%, respectively. Farmers under the commercial farming system usually own
specialised and custom-built machinery and equipment and keep abreast with technological advancements.
Farmers in the medium-scale farming system mostly hire machinery and equipment.

The tractor ownership rate among smallholder farmers is 0.2%. The IAPRI 2019 survey showed that the most
common assets owned by smallholders are ox-drawn ploughs (24.1%), trained oxen (22.7%) and backpack
sprayers (21.9%). Other farm equipment owned by households were handcarts (10.8%) and wheelbarrows
(9.3%), while the remaining farm assets were owned by less than 5% of households (see Table 2 below).
Table 2 : Percent of Household Ownership of Farm Assets/Agricultural Machinery

Asset National Central Copperbelt Eastern Luapula Lusaka Muchinga Northern North- Southern Western
western
Trained 22.7 35.2 7.7 36.1 0.3 16.7 0.7 5.1 7.4 52.4 23.1
Oxen/Cows
Ox -drawn plough 24.1 38.0 9.7 31.3 0.3 18.2 0.7 4.4 5.2 63.5 27.1
Disc plough 0.7 2.9 0.8 0.5 0.1 1.8 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.5
Harrows 4.5 11.8 3.4 0.2 0.4 5.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 17.9 1.2
Cultivators 3.0 4.7 0.7 0.4 0.4 1.4 0.5 0.0 0.1 15.6 0.0
Rippers 2.0 3.9 0.5 4.7 0.1 2.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 3.7 0.2
Ridger / weeder 2.9 2.3 0.7 12.6 0.1 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0
Planter 0.3 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.7
Fitarelli 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0
Tractor 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0
Hand driven tractor 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Scotch carts 10.8 14.8 3.8 18.6 0.3 11.3 0.6 0.7 4.4 21.9 14.9
Wheel barrow 9.3 13.3 17.0 5.6 9.2 43.3 10.2 3.5 10.5 8.3 3.4
Water pump / 2.2 6.1 5.8 0.9 0.7 8.3 0.4 0.5 1.9 2.4 1.7
treadle
Other irrigation 4.5 7.0 6.8 11.6 2.8 8.1 0.3 0.3 0.9 2.4 1.7
equipment (e.g.
irrigation pipes)
Knapsack sprayer 21.9 40.6 33.1 27.0 4.3 49.0 13.4 4.3 14.4 35.9 7.2
Boom sprayer 1.1 2.4 0.0 3.0 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.8 0.2
Source: IAPRI 2019
Land Preparation Machinery and Equipment
The agricultural assets ownership pattern shows that rural households mainly own agricultural machinery and
equipment used for land preparation, crop protection and to a lesser extent product transport. Ploughing is
mainly done by oxen and in a few cases, four-wheel tractors using implements such as ploughs, rippers, ridgers
and harrows.
Planting Machinery and Equipment
Most planting operations are undertaken using human labour. Mechanised planting is done for major food
01 crops only such as maize and soya beans. The equipment/implements used for planting are ox-drawn or
tractor-drawn planters which are either owned or hired. The lack of mechanisation of planting is generally
related to the lack of appropriate machinery or financial resources to purchase the equipment/implements on
the local market.
Weeding Machinery and Equipment
Weeding is a labour-intensive operation that is relatively rarely mechanised. It is in most cases a poorly
performed operation that contributes to reduced crop yields. The maize value chain is the most prevalent, but
less than 3% of smallholder farmers use weeders or cultivators. In contrast, a relatively high number (21.9%)
use knapsack sprayers (herbicides) for weed control. With limited mechanised weeding services available,
most farmers engage in manual weeding which is very tedious and considered to be more expensive than
mechanised weeding.

Irrigation Equipment
Most smallholder farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture. However, some do irrigate crops during the dry or
off-season to increase crop production options and income. The results from the 2019 RALS survey show that
ownership of irrigation equipment is very low, implying a high dependence on rainfed agriculture. Very few
farmers own irrigation equipment (4.5%) and treadle pumps (2.2%). The limited irrigation activities of
smallholder farmers are mainly concentrated in the horticultural (Vegetable) value chains.
Harvesting Machinery and Equipment
Harvesting in smallholder production/farming systems is mostly done using manual labour and because of the
high cost of labour, it makes this an expensive undertaking. There is no significant mechanisation in harvesting
of field crops. This may be explained by the lack of appropriate mechanisation technologies and services on
the market for smallholder farmers.
Transportation Machinery
Transportation is significant and is relatively mechanised among small-scale farming households. The
machinery used in transportation for food and other crops includes Ox/donkey drawn carts, tractor drawn
trailers, bicycles, motorcycles, wheelbarrows, and motor vehicles. Smallholder farmers, as indicated in Table
3, often own the machinery.

Table 3: Percent of household ownership of other farm assets/agricultural machinery
16
Asset National Central Copperbelt Eastern Luapula Lusaka Muchinga Northern No rthwester Southern Western
n
Trucks / lorries 0.7 2.6 0.7 0.3 0.2 2.9 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.0
Pickups / vans / cars 3.4 5.1 4.0 2.9 1.7 17.5 1.8 1.7 4.8 3.6 1.2
Trailer 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0
Source: IAPRI 2019

Motorcycle 3.9 1.6 0.5 5.5 1.8 1.8 1.9 3.1 14.6 5.7 0.3
Bicycles 59.5 77.5 68.7 62.1 69.3 56.1 58.9 60.8 60.4 52.0 29.0
Boats / canoes 5.1 0.0 1.4 0.0 14.9 0.7 2.4 7.3 7.8 3.0 14.3
Fishing net 6.0 1.2 2.4 1.1 19.3 1.0 2.6 9.4 7.4 1.9 15.0
Cattle dip / crush pen 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.0 1.8 0.2
Hand mills 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.1 2.0 7.3 0.0
Hammer mills 1.8 3.3 1.1 0.9 0.4 2.2 1.3 1.9 4.1 3.1 0.4
Rump presses / oil 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.0
expellers
National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028

Hand operated maize 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0
sheller
Motorized maize sheller 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0
Hand operated 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
groundnut sheller
Motorized groundnut 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
sheller
Solar panel and 40.1 51.7 39.9 44.4 27.8 59.4 39.2 36.0 36.9 40.6 31.1
equip ment
Generator 2.3 5.4 3.6 1.7 1.3 3.1 1.4 1.5 5.8 1.1 1.3
Water Tank 0.8 0.6 1.7 0.2 0.3 6.5 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.7 0.1
Standard well 4.3 16.9 12.2 2.2 0.7 2.9 5.6 0.8 0.0 2.2 2.4
(protected)
Borehole 1.3 1.7 2.3 0.6 0.0 8.9 1.1 0.2 1.5 0.7 3.0
Spray race 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Value Addition Machinery and Equipment
Value addition, although emphasised in policy/strategic documents, there appears to be little tangible effort in its
promotion as is evident from the value chains studied. The limited mechanisation in value
addition in the food value chains analysed among the smallholder farmers included the use of hammer mills, oil
expellers, and peanut butter making machines. Field visits and interviews clearly showed that some enterprising
households that owned oil expellers and hammer mills were providing valuable milling or oil expelling services in
their communities.
2.4.2. Mechanisation in Small Scale Livestock and Fishery Systems
Mechanisation in livestock systems is limited and mostly concentrated in animal health care practices such as use
of spray races (0.2%) and cattle dips/crash pens (0.5%). Mechanisation in hay baling, forage and feed production
are almost nonexistent among the smallholder farmers. Mechanisation in fishery systems is divided into capture and
aquaculture. Under the capture system, smallholder fisher-folk usually use artisanal techniques such as
non-motorised boats and nets, with use of motorised boats being low. Under aquaculture, small scale fisher-folk
utilise manual labour during excavation, pond lining and harvesting while large scale fisher-folk use motorised
machinery and equipment including excavators, feeders and aerators in their operations. Constraints faced by
smallholder fisher-folk and mechanisation service providers include high cost of appropriate machinery and
equipment as well as insufficient operational skills and inadequate information on the availability of appropriate
machinery and equipment.
2.5. Mechanisation among Medium and Large-Scale Farmers
The use of machinery and equipment in medium and large-scale agricultural production systems is very high
compared to the small-scale agricultural production systems. Farmers under the large-scale system usually own
specialised and custom-built equipment and keep abreast with technological advancements. Farmers in the medium
scale farming system mostly hire machinery and equipment. Mechanisation services in this category are mainly
provided by private service providers.
If one uses tractors as a proxy to assess the demand or degree of mechanisation among farmers, it can be noted that
mechanisation among medium and large-scale farmers is relatively high in Zambia.
There are no reliable figures for the total number of working tractors in Zambia, but it is estimated at around 6,000
tractors, which means that hypothetically there are about 21 tractors per 100 square kilometers of arable land. In
comparison to other African countries, this number seems high, but for Zambia it must be recognised that the
tractors are mainly used by large and corporate farms, whereas access to mechanisation services among smallholder
farmers is still extremely limited in most parts of the country.
2.6. Summary of the Situation Analysis: SWOT Analyses
The conclusions of the SWOT analysis of the demand for agricultural mechanisation are summarised in table 4
below:

Table 4: SWOT Analysis for the Demand for Agricultural Mechanisation
Status of Farming and Crop Production Systems
Strengths Weaknesses
Large numbers (>90%) Cultivate small areas (63% cultivate less than 2 ha).
Predominant across all AERs Small farm holdings and fragmented land parcels.
Contribute up to 80% of agricultural production. Poorly stumped and levelled farm plots/fields.
Use of fertiliser improved and increasing Low productivity.
Low levels of mechanisation.
Limited knowledge and skills in advanced farming
technologies/practices.
Inadequate access to mechanisation extension
services.
Lack of access to finance and financial services to
acquire agricultural machinery.
Opportunities Threats
Availability of markets for agricultural produce. Over dependency on government

Availability of financing schemes for input subsidy programmes such as FISP.
mechanisation machinery and implements • Vulnerability to adverse effects of climate change
/equipment. due to over dependence on rainfall
Development of farm blocks • Increasing cost of agricultural inputs
Establishment of cattle breeding centres. (Machinery, fertiliser, labour etc).
Implementation of cattle stocking and restocking • Changes in agriculture and related
programme. policies.
Medium Scale Farmers (5 – 20 Ha)
• More commercially oriented (produce mainly • Concentrated in some parts of the country
for market). (AER II)
• Higher levels of use of mechanisation. • Inadequate access to agricultural/ mechanisation
• Use more of external inputs (e.g improved extension services
seed and fertiliser) • Inadequate access to specialised mechanisation
• Greater use of hired labour. machinery and equipment
• More knowledgeable and skilled in farm
management.

Oportunities Threats
• Concentrated in some parts of the country (AER II)

• Availability of financing initiatives for • Poor agricultural mechanisation extension services
mechanisation machinery and • Limited access to specialised
mplements/equipment. mechanisation machinery and equipment
• Establishment of cattle breeding centres. • Vulnerability to adverse effects of climate change due
• Development of new farm blocks. to over dependence on rainfall
• Expanding markets for agricultural • Increasing cost of agricultural inputs (Machinery,
produce. fertiliser, labour etc).
• Changes in agriculture and related policies.
Large Scale Farmers (more than 20 ha)
• Cultivate larger areas (up to thousands of hectares). • Fewer and concentrated in some parts of the country
• Commercially oriented (produce solely for market). (<1.0% and mostly in AER II).
• Highly mechanised (all farm operations).
• Employ permanent and casual labour.
• Highly knowledgeable and skilled.
• Expanding markets for agricultural •Increased cost of farming (electricity

produce, including export markets. tariffs fuel, spare parts etc).
• Development of farm blocks in all AERs • Change in agriculture and related policies.
and provinces.
• Favourable agricultural related policies
e.g promotion of value addition).

Status of Farming and Crop Production Systems
• Shifting cultivation is an extensive system not com-
• Shifting cultivation system is a
patible with mechanisation.
well-adapted traditional practice in AER III.
• Poorly stumped and levelled fields under the
• Relatively higher levels of ADP under semi-perma-
semi-permanent hoe system.
nent hoe and ox plough system.
• Planting on ridges contributes to low plant population
• Higher levels of mechanisation under semi-com-
and low yield under
mercial ox and tractor plough systems.
semi-permanent hoe and ox plough system.
• Extensive use of mechanisation - including
•Limited access to mechanisation implements and
advanced specialised equipment under commercial
equipment.
farming system.
• Limited numbers of commercial farmers
• Emerging diversification of crop value chains
who are concentrated along the line of rail.
among small and medium scale farmers.
• Predominance of maize value chain
• Expansion in cropped area over the years.
• High post-harvest crop losses among small and
medium scale farmers.
•Over dependence on rainfed cropping.
•Low crop yields among smallholder farmers.
• Poor land management and crop husbandry
practices among smallholder farmers.
• Increased access to soil improvement • Population increase has the potential to limit shifting
technologies by smallholder farmers cultivation system.
practicing shifting cultivation. • Increased cost of farming (cost of inputs such as
• Government cattle stocking and restocking fertilisers, operational cost of
programme machinery due to increased fuel prices and cost of
• Proximity of semi-commercial ox and labour).
tractor plough to commercial farming systems provide • Increased incidences of adverse effects of climate
opportunity for knowledge and skills transfer. change.
• Development of farm blocks will lead to expansion of • Pest and disease outbreaks.
commercial farming systems • Over dependence on maize production.
Status Agricultural Production, Intensification and Climate Smart

Practices and Technologies
• Appropriate Ox and tractor drawn implements • Poor weed management under CA systems among
(rippers, direct planters etc) for CA practices. smallholder farmers.
• Increased adoption of strip cropping and mechanisa- • SIP technologies not widely adopted and applied on
tion technologies/practices. large scale.

• Planting on the flat reduces labour required for • Lack of appropriate mechanisation
making ridges. implements for some SIPs recommended
• Use of permanent ridges and raised beds suitable for for AER III.
AER III. • Limited access to appropriate conservation agriculture
• Gender inequalities and cultural barriers
in agricultural mechanisation.
• Interest by government and development partners to • Low interest to adopt SIPs by farmers.
support promotion of SIPS. • Low empowerment of young women to take up
• Interest by government and development partners to decision making roles.
support promotion of agricultural mechanisation • Change in government and development partners
initiatives. priorities to support to promotion of SIP and mechani-
sation interventions.

Chapter 3. Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain
The supply of agricultural mechanisation services in Zambia, is diverse and includes all types of agricultural
equipment, be it manual, animal-drawn or motorised. Understanding the existing supply chain for agricultural
machinery and equipment is essential in analysing the agricultural mechanisation situation. This involves data
collection on importers, domestic manufacturing, artisanal manufacturing, national, regional, and local
distribution, retail systems, maintenance and repair facilities and hire service providers.
3.1.Imports of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment
The importation of agricultural machinery and equipment is limited to a few companies, which include SARO
Agro Industrial Ltd, CAMCO Equipment Ltd, Growmore Technologies Ltd, Danatrac Ltd, Tata Zambia Ltd,
Agricon Equipment Zambia Ltd and AGCO Zambia Ltd. These companies import a variety of agricultural
machinery and equipment, particularly tractors ranging from 25 to 250 hp and agricultural equipment such as
ploughs, planters, sprayers, combine harvesters, forage harvesters, balers and other hay and forage handling
equipment. They also import machinery and equipment for crop processing/value addition for both commercial
and smallholder farmers.
SARO Agro Industrial Ltd on average sells 300 tractors and 1,000 pieces of equipment per year. The sales
volume of tractors and equipment was US$19 million in 2019, US$18.5 million in 2020 and US$23.1 million
in 2021. The increase in sales volume was mainly attributed to farmers' accessing financing through leasing
companies and government-led empowerment initiatives. Demand for tractors was so high that some demand
was unmet.
CAMCO equipment Ltd, during the same period recorded an increase in the total volume of tractor and
equipment sales per year from 202 in 2019 to 277 in 2022. This increase in the sales of tractors and farm
equipment was also attributed to farmers' mainly accessing lease financing.At the moment SARO Agro
Industrial Ltd and CAMCO Equipment Ltd appear to be the main players in terms of supplying agricultural
machinery and equipment in Zambia. In 2021 Tata Zambia took over the franchise of John Deere from AFGRI
making it one of the other major players in providing agricultural machinery and equipment. AGCO Zambia
Ltd supplies the Massey Ferguson tractor brand and provides after sales services to farmers for this brand of
tractors and equipment.
SARO Agro Industrial Ltd has presence in Lusaka, Kitwe and Mkushi and through its network of dealers
extends its presence to many parts of the country. While CAMCO Equipment Ltd has presence in Lusaka,
Kitwe, Choma, Kapiri Mposhi, Chipata and Solwezi. The other companies have presence in no more than two
districts. This implies that farmers in areas far off from these districts have to rely on agents and agro suppliers
to access mechanisation services and goods. In addition, they encounter challenges in terms of higher costs and
a longer time period to wait for and access the needed mechanisation services. This does negatively impact
production as most agricultural operations are time sensitive.
Agricultural machinery suppliers stock a range of machinery and equipment such as tractors, implements and
post-harvest and processing equipment. Most of the machinery and equipment is imported and only commonly
used machinery and equipment is usually stocked in the shops. Specialised equipment or tractors beyond 150
Hp have to be ordered upon request. Therefore, buying a piece of equipment might take three to six months
even if the payment is made on demand. The availability of machinery and equipment has been exacerbated by
the COVID 19 pandemic which has made importation of certain parts rather difficult, consequently requiring
long lead time periods to acquire.

In Zambia, there are also a number of suppliers of used tractors and equipment. The largest Internet presence
is TRACTORPROVIDER.net, which imports used tractors from Japan. The other supplier is Tractor/farm
Equipment which buys used tractors within Zambia and sells them locally. Tractor/farm Equipment normally
deals in John Deere, Massey Ferguson and TAFE brands of tractors. In rare cases they deal in the New Holland
Tractor. They are able to sell 10 tractors and about 100 agricultural implements in a year.
3.2.Manufacturing of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment
There are two major local manufacturers of machinery and equipment in Zambia and these are SARO Agro
Industrial Ltd and CAMCO Equipment Ltd, which also supply imported machinery and undertake repairs and
maintenance.
Very little data is available on the manufacturing of agro-processing machinery in Zambia, including
grain-milling machinery. Established firms such as CAMCO Equipment Ltd receive assistance in R&D from
entities such as the China National Machine Heavy Industry Group to design and manufacture large and more
complex milling systems that require installation.
CAMCO Equipment Ltd also manufactures small-scale mills, as do established firms such as SARO Industrial
Ltd, which specialises in hammer mills. Other agricultural manufacturing firms import parts from India and
China, which they assemble for the market.
Toyo Agro & Motorcycles Assembly parts are imported from Chinese companies in China that hold
international certificates of quality and standards. The large firms manufacture not only machinery used in
farming and agro-processing but also machinery for the mining, construction, forestry, and utilities (electricity
and water) sectors to diversify their income streams. Other large firms like Tata Zambia Ltd also supply vari-
ous agricultural processing equipment such as hammer mills and oil expellers (Chigumira, 2019).
The other important manufacturer in Zambia is SARO Agro Industrial Ltd, which is a multi-faceted supplier
and manufacturer of agricultural machinery and equipment. SARO Agro Industrial Ltd has a state-of-the-art
laser cutting machine which enables it to manufacture products which include rippers (ox and tractor drawn),
hammer mills, threshers and feed mixers. It can produce upto 100 hammer mills per month, which translates
to 1,200 pieces per year. 60 threshers per year and 20-30 feed mixtures per year. It has also innovated by
providing a platform for the two wheeled tractor which allows the operator to seat while undertaking farm
operations. SARO Agro Industrial Ltd also does fabricate/manufacture basic machine parts like gears and feed
augers.
Local steel is very expensive and most of it does not meet the quality standards for high grade steel. This
implies that high grade steel has to be imported, making it expensive for local products to be competitive as
the cost is also influenced by the foreign exchange rate. While complete machinery are tax exempt, most spare
parts and parts like motors are not.
Table 5 shows the types of machinery and equipment manufactured in Zambia, some of which are exported. It
is clear that manufacturing has been tilted towards maize processing which is the crop that has received
massive support from the government.

Table 5 : Manufacturers and Suppliers of Agricultural Machinery in Zambia
Firm, year of establishment and Type of machinery manufactured

nationality
SARO Group (1998) , Zambian Rippers, hammer mills, threshers and feed mixers and other soil
engaging tools for two wheeled tractors. They also manufacture trailers
CAMCO (1998), Chinese Maize dehullers, combined rice mills, roasting cylinders, feed
mixers oil filters, oil expellers, stone separators, rice mills, hammer
mills, corn flour processing machines, peanut butter machines, sugar
cane squeezers, maize shellers.
Growmore Technologies (2009), Dehullers, hammermills, maize grinding mill and maize shellers.
Indian
Zamcaptal Enterprises , Zambian Hammermills, windmills, maize shellers, milk buckets and milking
cages.
3.3. Maintenance and Repair of Agricultural Machinery
Buying machinery or equipment should not be the ultimate aim, the main aim must be to acquire a piece of
machinery or equipment and be able to use it when needed. This means that spares should be available when
needed and so should the capability and capacity to repair them. The 4 main agricultural machinery and
equipment suppliers in Zambia have mechanical workshops, warehouses stocked with different spares parts
and teams of technicians who provide repair machinery and equipment in the field. These companies operate
under franchises of renowned brands like FARMTRAC, LOVOL, and New Holland. The franchises entail that
the local companies provide aftersales services/support to their clients.
In addition, the four companies provide training in the appropriate use and maintenance of machinery and
equipment supplied by respective companies. However, it was observed that sometimes the people trained are
not the ones who operate the machinery and equipment, thereby defeating the purpose for training. It was also
noted that there are very few trained tractor and machine operators in Zambia and the demand for this skilled
labour force is very high.
In some areas where local expertise is available, the clients just buy the spare parts and the local
technicians/mechanics undertake the repairs, however, the presence of competent local expertise is far and
wide. The presence of maintenance and repair facilities provided by mechanisation service providers is found
in just a few places across the country, mainly in areas near and adjacent to commercial or corporate farms.
This, therefore, means that it takes time for clients far away from the main towns or commercial and corporate
farms, to access the necessary mechanisation services and spare parts.

3.4. Mechanisation Hire Services Providers Business Models.
Private Entrepreneurship Business Model: is the most common and viable form of mechanisation hire service
provision in Zambia. It is seen to be the most efficient way to provide mechanisation services to smallholder
farmers. When offered by local entrepreneurs as a full time hire service business or a vertically integrated
business together with sales of machinery and equipment, the business model was more profitable. The most
common form of hire service provision is a farmer providing services to other farmers living within the same
proximity. In this model, the hire service business tends to be a supplementary source of income to their
farming operations. Farmers who provide custom-hire services tend to buy the machinery and equipment
primarily for their use, but because of the high capital costs of the machinery they offer hire services to recoup
some of the cost. However, the downside is that this service is only provided once they have finished their own
farm operations. Consequently, the timeliness in providing the mechanisation services to other farmers does
often get compromised.
Group or Organisation Business Model: was seen to be the most prone to inefficiencies. In theory, farmer
organisations and cooperatives are perceived to be useful organisational structures through which
mechanisation services can be provided to members. Groups can take different forms, they can either be
formal cooperatives or less formal farmer groups. The latter tend to be attractive for including the more
vulnerable members of the rural community. In practice, however, their performance has been generally weak.
The farmer organisational models for mechanisation service delivery should offer an advantage in terms of
affordability of the machinery as the assets are purchased by members as a collective good. In this business
model, the cooperative owns machinery and equipment and provides services to farmers, whether they are
members or not. In most cases, if the farmers requesting for the mechanisation services are not members of the
cooperative, they pay higher rates and members pay nominal rates.
Private Sector Importer/Manufacturer led Hire Service: This business model has been developed by
CAMCO Equipment Ltd to offer machinery and equipment hire services to farmers in Mkushi district through
its branch office. Farmers of all categories such as small-scale, emergent and large-scale can hire tractors and
equipment as long as they are able to pay for the services. However, farmers in need of ripping and ploughing
services are the target customers of the business.
Multi-purpose Hub Business Model: This business model is one that functions as a one-stop shop, providing
mechanisation services (2WT and 4WT based), together with complementary bundles of management and
economic services. These include finance, training and advisory services, marketing with links to market
outlets. The model is intended as a one stop shop to demonstrate technologies, provide spare parts and provide
repairs and maintenance support. The contract farming and mechanisation hub models are clustered as
corporate led.
Contract Farming or Outgrower Schemes: Are a business model promoting mechanisation in various value
chains in Zambia. Contract farming is the generic term that covers various types of contracts between
companies and farmers. Agricultural production is undertaken according to a prior agreement in which the
farmer commits to producing a given product in a prescribed manner and the buyer commits to purchasing it.
The vast majority of contract farming projects are out-grower schemes. Under one of the most common forms
of contract farming, a centralised processor and/or packer buys from a large number of local farmers where
products often require a high degree of processing (crops grown under such schemes include tea, vegetables,
cotton and tobacco).

Another form of contract farming is a variation on the centralised model; here the company has a nucleus
plantation estate but also buys from local small-holder farmers. Crops often associated with this type of scheme
in Zambia are perennial crops such as oil palm and sugar cane. The terms of the contract – for
example the price of the product and the supply of extension services – will vary from scheme to scheme. Under
the Outgrower scheme at Magobbo in Mazabuka, the Zambia Sugar Company as Outgrower
operator provides mechanised services for field preparations, as well as harvesting to the beneficiary
farmers.
3.5 Summary of the Diagnosis: SWOT Analysis
The conclusions drawn from the SWOT analysis on the state of the agricultural mechanisation supply chain are
summarized in table 6 below:
Table 6: SWOT Analysis of the Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain
Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain for Importers and Dealers
• The main distribution and supply companies • Lack of transport-to-transport machinery and
have a presence in Zambia of more than 10 years. equipment from one end of the country to the
• The main distributors and suppliers are other.
registered companies with an established • Lack of visibility of some suppliers in needy
organisational structure. areas.
• There are few second-hand dealers of • Prolonged delays in acquiring spares.
agricultural equipment from renowned manufac- • Failing to meet customer demand due
turers. to supply chain challenges.
• The main distributors and suppliers provide • Some equipment supplied is of sub-standard
good after-sales and repair services. not suited for local use.
Most of the companies have dealerships with • Some equipment for certain operations is not
renowned manufacturers. available.
• Distributors and suppliers provide • Delayed production from suppliers.
training on the use of the products they supply. • No agricultural mechanisation quality
assurance systems and standards,
• Limited incentives for machinery importers
and distributors/suppliers.
• Growing number of emergent farmers who culti- • Farmers have not appreciated the need for value
vate areas of 10-20ha requiring mechanisation addition.
services. • There is stiff competition for skilled engineers
• Presence of leasing companies which have and technicians.
improved access to finance for small holder farm- • VAT charged on agricultural equipment ie
ers. forage harvesters and bailers but not on other
• Drive by local farmers to meet the equipment.
domestic needs for vegetables. • Change in Government policy on importation
and supply of mechanisation machinery and
equipment

Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain Manufacturers
• Main manufacturing companies have a presence in • Limited manufacturing capacity in terms of scope of
Zambia of more than 10 years. products made.
• Main manufacturing companies have established • Limited distribution networks.
organisational structures. • Quality of products sometimes do not meet the
• Manufacturers produce machinery and equipment clients’ expectations.
used in farming and • No agricultural mechanisation quality assurance
agro-processing but also machinery for the mining, systems and standards.
construction, forestry, and utilities sectors.
• Manufacturers have teams of trained engineers and
technicians.
• Some of the companies have well equipped manu-
facturing workshops (e.g. laser cutting).
• Growing number of emergent farmers requiring • Limited market for agricultural machinery.
mechanisation services. • Local steel is very expensive and most of it does not
• Presence of leasing companies which have improved meet the requirements for high grade steel.
access to finance for small holder farmers. • High grade steel is imported making local products
• Growing demand for grains on the world market. expensive and uncompetitive on the market.
• Stiff competition for skilled engineers and techni-
• Drive for local farmers to meet domestic demand for
cians.
vegetables
• Change is policy which does not support local manu-
facturing of mechanisation machinery and equipment.
Maintenance and Repair of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment
• Main machinery suppliers have • Most of the artisans have very limited
established mechanisms to provide repair and main- knowledge and no competency to handle complicated
tenance services. agricultural machinery and equipment.
• Main players operate under franchise of renowned • Most spare parts are imported, hence when they are
brands (manufacturers). out of stock some machines can be out of service for
• The main players have well-trained cadres of engi- months.
neers and technicians and offer • Service providers are very few and cannot cover the
various types of after-sales services which include wide expanse of the country.
repair and maintenance. • Spare parts have to be sourced from Lusaka or the
nearest main town and
transported over long distances.

• Growing number of emergent farmers requiring • Transportation costs have gone up.
mechanisation services. • Poor maintenance of machinery and equipment
• Leasing companies have made it easier for small among smallholder farmers,
• Some areas have poor roads and may be inaccessible
holder farmers to access finance for agricultural
at critical times.
• Stiff competition for skilled engineers and techni-
cians.
Agricultural Mechanisation Supply Chain -Hire Services
• Competent tractor operators are difficult
• Hire services are provided by individual farmers
to find.
and organisations like CAMCO. • Often the quality/competency of
• Farmers exist all over the country that own farm workers is poor.
agricultural machinery for their own use and hire it • Generally, machinery operators have
out part of the time. a bad working culture which is neither
• Farmers and entrepreneurs provide services for time sensitive nor target oriented.
value addition like milling, • Lack of skills to calibrate sprayers
and planters.
vegetable oil extraction and peanut butter produc- • Machinery and equipment are not
tion. available when needed.
• Quality of work provided by MSP is often
not consistent.
• Business and management skills are limited.
over long distances.
it is difficult and expensive to access finance
• Growing number of emergent from banks and financial institutions.
farmers requiring mechanisation services. Lack of working capital.
• Presence of leasing companies The roads in most farming areas are
which have improved access to finance generally in a bad state.
for small holder farmers. Supply of electric power is often unreliable.
Most small-scale farmer’s fields are
uneven, have tree stamps, roots and
stones which makes mechanisation
difficult.
Some machinery/equipment imported does not
perform to expectations.
Change is policy which does not
support Mechanisation hire services

Chapter 4. Institutional Environment Situational Analysis
4.1. Policies and sectoral policies with a direct or indirect bearing on agricultural
mechanisation.
Although Zambia has experienced strong economic growth recently, agriculture has not performed as well. To
exploit the agricultural potential, government has developed well-articulated agricultural policies and strategies
that focus on, among others, ensuring food security, maximising farmers' incomes, promoting sustainable
agriculture and strengthening the role of the private sector in input and output markets.
The leading national policies that reinforce or support mechanisation interventions/innovations include the
following:
4.1.1. Vision 2030
The National Vision 2030, launched in December 2006, outlines the government's medium to long-term
development agenda to transform Zambia into a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030. It aims at creating a
"strong and vibrant middle-income industrial nation that is resilient to external shocks and offers
opportunities to improve the well-being of all". (Zambia Vision 2030, Government of Zambia).
4.1.2. Eighth National Development Plan
The Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) sets Zambia's strategic direction, development priorities, and
implementation strategies for the period 2022-2026. The plan is the fourth in a series of five-year national
development plans (NDPs) to realise the Vision 2030. Economic transformation and job creation is the main
strategic development area of the 8NDP and aims to facilitate trade and increased private sector investment for
higher production, value addition and diversification of goods and services. The main drivers of economic
transformation and job creation will be the agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, supported by
strategic energy, transportation and water interventions.
4.1.3. National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP)
The National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP) under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
Programme (CAADP) aims to identify and prioritise key investments and policy changes essential to enhance the
desired growth in agricultural productivity. The NAIP is a five-year roadmap for agricultural and rural
development that identifies priority investment areas and estimates the funding requirements to be provided by the
government and cooperating partners (including the private sector).
In the NAIP (2014-2018), which still constitutes the investment framework, the promotion of
mechanisation of agricultural production systems is one of the main policy objectives, with the goal of
increasing the area of mechanised agriculture from 375,000 hectares to 3,000,000 hectares by 2018. The
government is currently preparing the second-generation National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP)/
Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme (CATSP) in the context of the
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
4.1.4. Second National Agricultural Policy
The Second National Agricultural Policy (SNAP, 2016) provides a framework and guidelines to stimulate
sustainable agricultural development. SNAP provides a framework for promoting sustainable agricultural
diversification, commercialisation, private sector participation and inclusive agricultural growth. The policy
encourages competitiveness, boosts efficiency, increase in productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector
and thus effectively contributes to food and nutrition security, employment generation, income growth and rural
poverty reduction.

4.1.5. Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC)
Zambia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement identifies the
importance of the agricultural sector in reducing vulnerability to climate change, including measures to
increase yields and strengthen research, knowledge, extension services, and agricultural infrastructure to target
climate action.
Zambia submitted its revised and updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Paris Agreement
on Climate Change on 30th December 2020. This is in line with decisions 1/CP.19, 1/CP.20 and 1/CP.21 of the
Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), for
countries to strengthen their climate ambitions and update their nationally determined contributions by 2020.
Zambia's INDC includes both adaptation and mitigation elements based on the country's national
circumstances. The adaptation measures focus on strategic production systems (agriculture, wildlife, and
water), strategic infrastructure, and health systems, as well as improved capacity building, research, technolo-
gy transfer, and financing for adaptation.
Mitigation actions focus on three programmes: (1) sustainable forest management, (2) sustainable
agriculture and (3) renewable energy and energy efficiency.
4.1.6. Tax Incentive on Agricultural Mechanisation
In the 2021 national budget speech, the Minister of Finance proposed improving productivity through
agricultural sector mechanisation to zero-rate added tax on specific agricultural equipment and accessories.
These included the following equipment: - (a) manure spreaders; (b) balers; (c) combines; (d) commercial
sprinkler irrigation systems; (e) feed grinder-mixer; (f) pelleting machines; (g) sprayers; (h) trailers of a
specific HS code and (g) dryers for agricultural products of a specific HS code.
4.1.7. National Lands Policy and Land Tenure
Land is the most fundamental natural resource in any society. It is the space under and above which all human
activities take place and provides for the continued existence of all life forms and minerals. The National Lands
policy provides for the administration and management of the land resource for the benefit of the present and
future generations. It further provides a comprehensive framework that guides how land in Zambia should be
administered and managed.The policy also seeks to provide equitable access to land on both state and custom-
ary land, regardless of status. It endeavors to strengthen land tenure security and enhance sustainable and
productive management of the land resource by upholding transparent and cost-effective systems of land
administration including land disputes.
In Zambia, land rights and agricultural land use rights are enshrined in traditional and customary land law and
practices. They are part of the 1995 Lands Act, which provides a framework for regulating and governing land
administration.
Lands Act 1995
The Lands Act vests all land in the president and explicitly recognises both statutory leasehold and customary
tenure. The Lands Act also provides for converting customary tenure into statutory (leasehold) tenure.
Statutory Tenure (Leasehold)Leasehold tenure is usually held on land known as state land. State land is owned
under statutory lease/tenure depending on the period of tenure. Currently, land in Zambia is leased for 14 years for
unsurveyed land; 30 years for occupancy license in residential plots or settlements and 99-years for surveyed lands.
Customary land and tenure Customary land is owned by indigenous communities (tribes), held in trust by the chiefs
for the benefit of members of a particular ethnic grouping (tribe). It is administered by the Chiefs in accordance
with traditional customs and norms applicable to different jurisdictions and subject to Zambian laws and natural
justice. Customary rules provide the basic framework of customary land law for the tribes and small holder farmers.

Agricultural Land Rent/Local Lease Tenure System
In a rent/lease tenure system, a tenant pays a set sum to the landlord for the privilege of utilising the land for a
defined length of time. The local land rent/lease is an agreement between the property owner (lessor) and
leasee that stipulates the terms of use for that piece of farmland. The rent/lease tenure system can be entered
into on land under statutory (leasehold) or customary tenure. The tenancy may be either long or short-term.
The agricultural land rent or lease tenure system usually hinders tenants from making long-term plans and
investments to improve the land.
With regard to Land Tenure and Investments, Smith (2001) conducted a field study in Southern Province with
the aim of answering the question whether different land tenure conditions affected the organisation and
performance of small farmers and whether customary land tenure must be converted to statutory tenure as a
pre-requisite for investment in farm improvements and obtaining credit. His findings did not support the thesis
that land tenure was a pre-requisite for investment in farm improvements and obtaining credit for investment.
There is a lack of systematic information in Zambia on the use of land as collateral for investment credit. It is
difficult to conclude from the available data on existing mortgages and agricultural charges placed on titles that
land titling has had a significant effect on improving access to agricultural credit.
4.1.8.National Gender Policy
The National Gender Policy is aimed at ensuring the attainment of gender equality in the development process
by redressing the existing gender imbalances. It also provides for equal opportunities for women and men to
actively participate and contribute to their fullest ability and equitably benefit from national development.
In view of the cross-cutting nature of gender, the implementation of the National Gender Policy is undertaken
in a comprehensive and broad-based decentralised manner. This assists all the implementing institutions to
effectively mainstream gender in their development policies, plans and programme and facilitate the
attainment of the national Vision on gender.
The Gender policy implementation plan emphasises that in recognition of the role that women play in the
agricultural sector the Ministry of Agriculture shall invest in women to improve their productivity through
simple mechanisation technologies and improved access to agricultural inputs.
However, the acquisition and ownership of land both under statutory and customary tenure continues to be a
major hindrance to women’s effective participation in national development. In order to liberalise land
acquisition and its usage, the Lands Act 1995 guarantees both women and men the possibility of being
landowners with security of tenure for up to 99 years.
4.2. Past and Existing Agricultural Mechanisation Programmes and Projects
The following are some of the development programmes and projects which have or have had a mechanisation
component.
4.2.1. 2007 KR II Japanese Grant Aid Tractor Programme
The KR-II 2007 Japanese Grant Aid Tractor (KR-II) programme was implemented from 2007 to 2013. The
main objective of the KR-II programme was to contribute to poverty alleviation among disadvantaged farmers
in developing countries by providing affordable agricultural machinery to increase cultivated areas and
production.

Under this programme, 20 Kubota tractors and related spare parts were loaned to viable farmers, cooperatives,
and farmer groups, and the loan was to be repaid over four years. In the first two years, the availability of
tractors contributed significantly to the increase in land under cultivation and productivity for the beneficiary
government institutions and smallholder farmers around these institutions. However, loan recovery
performance was not satisfactory and in some cases, loans were not repaid at all. Therefore, Zambia could not
benefit from continued support under this facility.
4.2.2. Farmer Input Support Response Initiative (FISRI) Project
The Farmer Input Support Response Initiative (FISRI) project was funded by FAO and the European Union
under the Food Facility and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture between 2009 and 2012. The project’s
overall objective was to contribute to greater food security through increased food production and more
sustainable use of environmental resources. Specifically, activities aimed to increase food production by
improving access to agricultural inputs and promoting conservation agriculture principles to mitigate the
effects of soaring food and input prices. The project provided support (including electronic vouchers,
affordable access to machinery and mechanisation equipment and training) to approximately 58,800 farmers in
28 districts of Zambia.
4.2.3.Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up (CASU) Project.
The Conservation Agriculture Scaling-up (CASU) Project (June 2013 to 2017) was implemented by FAO and
financed by the European Union, via the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). It was implemented in 48
districts in nine provinces of Zambia, in the three agro-ecological regions {AER I, II (IIa and IIb) and III}. The
largest concentration of CASU farmers was in the Eastern and Southern Provinces, in AER IIa, where CA has
been practiced for many years, following its promotion by various organisations.
To promote the adoption of agricultural mechanisation in the CA system, CASU facilitated access to inputs,
including mechanisation services, by providing electronic vouchers to farmers. The e-voucher system/facility
provided a percentage subsidy to beneficiary farmers. In addition to these farmers, Ministry of Agriculture
staff, agro-dealers, financial institutions, research institutes, agri-businesses and other traditional agricultural
stakeholders were among the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project interventions.
4.2.4.Agriculture Productivity and Market Enhancement Project (APMEP)
The Agricultural Productivity and Market Enhancement Project (APMEP) was a stand-alone investment
project that aimed to contribute to the Government efforts to increase crop diversification, productivity,
processing, and improved market linkages. APMEP was implemented over five years in Sinazongwe, Gwembe,
Chongwe, Rufunsa, Serenje and Chitambo districts. The project aim was to develop irrigation and aquaculture,
promote crop and livestock production and productivity, agricultural processing and value addition, market
linkages, participation of men, women and youth, and improve household income, food security and nutrition.
APMEP purchased 13 TAFE tractors and related equipment, including ploughs, planters, boom sprayers and
four mini-PTO harvesters, which were distributed to 11 project sites.
4.2.5.Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP)
The Enhanced Smallholder Agricultural Promotion Programme aimed to increase income and enhance food
and nutrition security of rural Zambian households engaged in market-oriented agriculture. More than 61,000
smallholder farmers were targeted by the programme in 10 districts across the10 provinces.

To achieve its objectives, the programme used a number of strategies to increase agricultural production,
strengthen the delivery of agricultural extension services, increase the area of irrigated land and levels of
mechanisation among smallholder farmers, improve the efficiency of agricultural markets, and promote access
to finance. The programme purchased 11 tractors with accessories such as ploughs, rippers, planters, etc which
were distributed to selected beneficiary farmer groups in project districts.
4.2.6.Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ)

project
Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) is a four-and-a-half-year

project to intensify sustainable farming systems in Zambia. The €12 million project is funded by the European
Union and is expected to benefit over 16,000 farmers in 27 districts.
The project implements a research-for-development approach in which applied research is conducted in

parallel with scaling up sustainable and climate-smart agricultural production and sustainable land
management practices in selected pilot areas representing the three agro-ecological regions of Zambia. The
objective is to test, promote and enhance the adoption of sustainable intensification practices, including
agricultural mechanisation among smallholder farmers while fostering market linkages and creating an
enabling environment for sustainable agricultural growth.
4.2.7.Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE)
The Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) project is an initiative designed to
harmonise the development, programming and implementation of economic empowerment efforts targeting
especially the women and youth across the country using the Chiefdom as the basis for eliminating hunger and
rural poverty.The project identified 20 commodities for production and value addition and is being
implemented in 288 chiefdoms of Zambia. It has procured and distributed tractors, trailers, ploughs, combine
harvesters, Egg incubators, oil expellers to women farmer groups/associations in all the chiefdoms for use in
enhancing production and productivity in selected value chains.
4.3.Relevant Institutions with a Mandate to Promote Agricultural Mechanisation

Initiatives.
4.3.1.Agricultural Mechanisation Section
The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for developing and coordinating all agricultural activities in Zambia.
Of the eight (8) departments in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DoA) is the largest
and is responsible for promoting agricultural mechanisation activities, among others. It comprises three
branches: Technical Services, Agricultural Advisory Services and Crops. The DoA has a devolved operational
structure from national up to the camp level.
The responsibility for promoting agricultural mechanisation is vested with the Technical Services Branch
(TSB) which comprises the Agricultural Mechanisation, Land Husbandry and Irrigation Engineering sections.
The Agricultural Mechanisation section is responsible for spearheading the promotion of agricultural
mechanisation in Zambia.
It comprises three Units namely, Animal Draught Power Technology; Motorised Mechanisation and Farm
Structures and Post-Harvest Technology. The section is led by a Chief Engineer – Agricultural Mechanisation
and supported by the three Principal Engineers who head respective units. At each provincial agricultural office
is a Senior Engineer-Agricultural Mechanisation and each district office is supposed to be led by a District
Agricultural Engineer supported by one or two Technical or Assistant Technical Officers.

4.3.2. Education Institutions
There are three major education institutions in Zambia, that offer programmes in agricultural mechanisation
and these are the University of Zambia, the Natural Resources Development College and the Zambia Colleges
of Agriculture in Mpika and Monze. Mulungushi University recently introduced a BSc programme in
agricultural engineering and will be graduating their first cohort of students in 2025.
The University of Zambia (UNZA) is the leading institution of higher learning in Zambia and one of the
region's market leaders in higher education. It offers over 157 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in
14 faculties.
Students are admitted to the School of Engineering on a competitive basis after completing the first year in the
School of Natural Sciences, where they consolidate their knowledge in basic sciences. The Bachelor of
Engineering (BEng) degree in Agricultural Engineering is awarded after a five-year programme of study.
Recognising the importance of practical training, the Bachelor of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering
curriculum includes a mandatory fourteen-week industrial training period. Through this programme, the
students observe the practical application of principles taught in the classroom, experience some of the
responsibilities assigned to engineers, and learn engineering techniques.
The training provided by the University of Zambia is aimed at training agricultural engineers. However, the
training is inclined to more theory than knowledge application. It also does not seem to adequately capture and
reflect the emerging changes in innovation in the agricultural engineering technological landscape.
The Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) is a public agricultural training institution (ATI)
under the Ministry of Agriculture. It offers diploma-level training programmes underwritten by the University
of Zambia. NRDC is one of the main sources of human resources for the Ministry of Agriculture. The
Department of Agricultural Engineering offers a three-year diploma programme in agricultural engineering
with 3,260 hours of academic courses, including two (2) months of field attachment (work experience), which
is usually completed during the third year. Students pursuing the Agricultural Engineering diploma are trained
in
agricultural machinery, surveying, engineering design, agricultural structures, electrification, and post-harvest
technologies. The department shares most of its courses with students enrolled in the Water Engineering
Department. The department also trains students from other departments in agricultural machinery courses.
The Zambia College of Agriculture (ZCA) - Mpika and Monze offer a two-year certificate programme in
general agriculture and three-year diploma courses in sustainable agriculture, among others. The certificate
programme in General Agriculture is provided under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, while the
diploma programmes are underwritten by the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia
(UNZA), respectively.Agricultural machinery is one of the courses taught to students in the Sustainable
Agriculture Diploma and General Agriculture Certificate programmes. The focus is on enhancing basic
knowledge of agricultural machinery and equipment and understanding their use and application
fundamentals. Courses include hands-on practicals, but this is limited to machinery and equipment available
at the respective colleges which often does not adequately expose students or provide them with the necessary
field application experience.
Graduates of the ZCA colleges as well as NRDC are trained as technicians with a practical orientation towards
being field staff. However, the training appears to be more academic than practical because the farm machinery
and equipment required to facilitate appropriate training is not available and the little that is available is
outdated and not in the best operational condition.

In general, the field attachment included as part of the training in all education institutions (universities and
colleges) just exposes students to operations of agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment used by
the establishments (companies and institutions) they are attached to and not necessarily the ideal/basic
machinery and equipment that they may need to know about and be able to handle/operate. All the training
Institutions are constrained for resources and therefore, do not regularly invest in new/modern training aids
(machinery and equipment).
Vocational Training
Very few vocational training institutions offer agricultural mechanics training programmes. These institutions
are accredited by the Technical, Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA).
Nkumbi International College is the only one that offers a course in agricultural mechanisation while the other
TEVETA-accredited institutions offer automotive mechanics.
The Agricultural Knowledge and Training Center (AKTC) in Chisamba was established in 2014 as a
bilateral cooperation project between the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Zambian
Ministry of Agriculture. It is located at the Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust (GART) farm in
Chisamba.
AKTC provides hands-on training in modern agricultural machinery and equipment, and production systems
for cereals and potatoes. The center offers hands-on training and demonstrations in sustainable production
methods and the professional use of agricultural machinery and equipment for tractor operators and
agricultural service providers. Through these training activities, the center aims to increase the technical and
managerial skills of the target groups and contribute to the sustainable development and modernisation of the
Zambian agricultural sector.
AKTC has access to 110 ha of farmland on which it conducts practical training and commercial farming
operations. It also has a range of modern agricultural machinery and equipment used for agricultural
operations and practical training courses. It further, boasts of a modern workshop run by a competent
agricultural engineer, assisted by mechanics and machine operators.
4.3.3. Agricultural Mechanisation Research
The Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) is the largest public agricultural research institution in
Zambia and one of the eight (8) departments in the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). It is mandated to undertake
research, development and adaptation of technologies related to the promotion of agricultural machinery and
equipment among smallholder farmers. However, no research on agricultural mechanisation is currently being
undertaken. The agricultural machinery testing center in Magoye was dissolved in 2005. This may have
significantly contributed to losing momentum for research and development in agricultural mechanisation.
Only the Nanga Irrigation Research Station has activities related to research in water supply systems. Research
related to post-harvest storage and processing technologies is conducted by the Food
Storage and Processing Unit at Mount Makulu Central Research Station.
At present, ZARI does not have the institutional capacity and apparatus to fulfill its mandate of developing and
adapting agricultural mechanisation technologies, nor does it have the capacity to test or validate
agricultural machinery and equipment imported into the country or locally developed/manufactured for use by

However, ZARI is in the process of reviving its agricultural machinery research and development mandate by
re-establishing an agricultural mechanisation unit staffed with the necessary agricultural engineering expertise.
It will also provide the infrastructure and equipment required to facilitate appropriate research and development
protocols/initiatives in agricultural mechanisation research.
The Technology Advisory and Development Unit (TDAU) of the University of Zambia (UNZA) operates as
a semi-autonomous engineering research and development unit. TDAU was established to link the university's
expertise with the needs of society at large. It is a unique institution in Zambia, connecting the public and
private sectors and capitalising on state-of-the-art innovation techniques. All products and services offered by
the unit are demand-driven and client-inspired. TDAU was actively involved in developing and adapting
agricultural engineering innovations and solutions until the late 1990s when the Netherlands government
stopped its support. Since the cessation of this support, very little work has been done in this area. Currently,
TDAU does not have modern facilities to undertake appropriate R&D initiatives in agricultural mechanisation.
4.3.4.Agricultural Extension Services
The Agricultural Extension section is part of the Agricultural Advisory Services branch in the Department of
Agriculture (DoA) which is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and superintending over the delivery of
agricultural extension messages for all the technical disciplines in the Department including agricultural
mechanisation.
Historically, agricultural extension service delivery in Zambia has been dominated by public actors. However,
the government recognises the important role of non-public sector actors in providing agricultural extension
and advisory services. Following the economic liberalisation undertaken by the government in the early 1990s,
other extension and advisory service providers have come on board, including private sector actors and
non-public sector actors such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international development partners
and farmer organisations. However, many private and non-public sector actors use the public extension system,
through the DACO’s office and agricultural camp staff, to effectively deliver their extension interventions/
messages.
The promotion of agricultural mechanisation services falls under the mandate of the agricultural mechanisation
section. However, the dissemination of extension messages is done through the operational hierarchy of the
agricultural advisory services branch, i.e., through the block and camp extension officers. The ratio of
agricultural extension worker to farmers is currently 1:1,248. This ratio is rather low and is about three times
lower than the internationally accepted ratio of about 1:400 extension worker to farmers.
The promotion of agricultural mechanisation among small holder farmers is seriously constrained as there is no
clear agricultural mechanisation extension message and approach/strategy to effectively promote agricultural
mechanisation in Zambia. Further agricultural mechanisation subject matter specialists (SMSs) and extension
staff in the MoA lack the technological competencies to effectively promote agricultural mechanisation
technologies and interventions.
4.4.The Role of Farmer Organisations in Promoting Agricultural Mechanisation.
Farmer organisations have great potential to promote and influence the adoption of agricultural mechanisation
in farming systems along the value chain among their members. However, activities dedicated to this purpose
appear weak or are non-existent for various reasons, including misguided motives for establishing
organisations such as cooperatives and a lack of business acumen among members and leaders of primary
cooperative societies.

The National Union for Smallholder Farmers in Zambia (NUSFAZ) a non-profit organisation, that has not
implemented any programmes in the past to improve access to mechanisation and/or provide agricultural
mechanisation services to its members. It currently has no ongoing programmes that support or facilitate
agricultural mechanisation technologies or services among its smallholder members.
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) is a national membership-based organisation, with countrywide
coverage, representing the agriculture industry. Specifically, ZNFU represents small and large-scale farmers
and agribusinesses. ZNFU in the past linked with organisations such FAO, Conservation Farming Unit (CFU),
AFGRI and Musika to enhance access to mechanisation and/or provide agricultural mechanisation services to
its members. Currently it has no programme running that supports or facilitates agricultural mechanisation
technologies or services among its small holder farmers’ membership.
The Zambia Cooperatives Federation (ZCF) is the Apex body of the Cooperative movement in Zambia and
the secretariat for the movement. It is estimated that about 95% of the more than 60,000 registered primary
cooperative societies merely exist on paper with no tangible activities. Most of the cooperatives registered are
agricultural cooperatives driven by the FISP subsidies that the government provides to members of primary
cooperative societies. The motivation for creating these cooperatives is usually to access subsidised
agricultural inputs and not to engage in tangible and viable businesses, as the case should be.
Local Farmer Associations (LFA) which are formed because of a felt need/common interest among the
farmers are quite common among smallholder farmers in the Zambian farming landscape. The law provides
for the formalisation of such associations through registration with the registrar of Societies. The agricultural
extension system both public and private sector has increasingly been using farmer associations to provide
targeted agricultural extension services and catalyse (incubate) business innovations/ development among
members of the local farmer associations. Governance issues are often a common challenge among farmer
associations and therefore, extension service facilitators/providers are often involved in refereeing or
arbitrating Governance problems among farmers associations.
Farmer Groups (FG) an amorphous grouping of farmers usually formed because of a common interest or
purpose. The farmer group has no formal registration requirements. It exists and operates informally using its
own by laws and its formation can also be influenced by the extension service provider.
4.5. Financial Sector & Financing Mechanisms for Agricultural Mechanisation
Access to credit by farmers is still a major challenge despite the fact that Zambia has a relatively
well-developed banking system. Risks associated with agribusinesses coupled with customary land tenure
systems that limit the use of land as collateral make financing of agriculture unattractive to the formal banking
industry. In addition, limited competition in the banking industry despite the large number of banks also
ensures interest rates remain high.The cost of credit from the bank and the limited number of banks in rural
areas are some of the factors that make it difficult for farmers to access credit from the bank which can be used
for investment in agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment.

4.5.1. Commercial Banks and other Financial Institutions
There are currently 19 commercial banks in Zambia. The main lenders to agriculture are ABSA Bank (formerly
Barclays Bank), Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO),
Citibank, Atlas Mara Bank (Formerly Finance Bank) and First National Bank. Three commercial banks
(Stanbic, FNB and ZANACO) together held about 60 % of the total agricultural lending assets in 2017. (World
Bank, 2012; World Bank 2019).
Commercial banks provided almost all the loans for large scale farmers, whereas Microfinance institutions
(MFIs) and other non-banks dominated the small holder agriculture category in terms of numbers. According
to the Credit Market Monitoring Report (CMMR) 2016 and 2017. About two-thirds of the loans for smallholder
agriculture were from MFIs. However, in terms of the value of the small agricultural loans, commercial banks
had the largest share, with over 70 % of the loan portfolio.
5
Microfinance institutions in Zambia are not major providers of agriculture credit, but a select few are active in
the sector. The leading MFIs in the sector include Vision Fund, Madison Finance, Agora, and EFC. The MFI
Loans are typically in local currency with high interest rates ranging from 35 to 75 %. The loans are secured
mostly by movable assets and group guarantees, though immovable assets are required for larger loans.
The Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) and the National Savings and Credit Bank (NatSave) have
substantial portfolios in the agriculture sector too, but their share of total financing to the sector is negligible.
The DBZ and NatSave together had a share of just 2.6 % of total financing to the sector in 2017. The DBZ lends
to large farmers and agribusiness companies in select value chains. In addition to its direct lending, the DBZ
partners with development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank and technical assistance
(TA) providers such as Rural Finance Expansion Programme (RUFEP) to provide wholesale loans to MFIs and
other financial institutions for rural and agriculture lending.
NatSave provides savings products and small loans (of up to US$5,000) to agricultural SMEs and smallholder
farmers. The bank has presence in all the provinces in the country with a total of 38 branches, of which 17 are
in rural areas. It provides some of the financial services through partnerships with the Food Reserve Agency
(FRA), the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), MUSIKA and other partners.
In Zambia, to obtain a loan from a commercial bank, the borrower must provide collateral (usually in the form
of land backed by an independent valuation report, but sometimes also in the form of the asset being borrowed
for). They also need to provide three years of audited financial records, including profit and loss statements,
cash flow statements and balance sheets, proof of business registration and a detailed repayment plan for the
loan. This documentation and information is provided together with other documents as requested by the bank.
These requirements make it very difficult for smallholder farmers to access finance. The current portfolio of
bank investments in agriculture primarily consists of commercial farmers. Banks are also aware and cautious
of the culture of poor loan repayment in Zambia, which (coupled with the risks associated with financing
agriculture) does not incentivise the banks to offer services to the sector. In addition to constraints on the supply
side, there is also the issue of demand-side barriers among smallholder farmers who are not regarded as
bankable owing to their low incomes and lack of awareness about financial services.
Interest rates for most borrowers, both nominal and real, are very high. In 2018, the interest rates of commercial
banks to the agriculture sector on local currency loans usually exceeded 25 % and could reach 50 %, depending
on the risk profile. After considering inflation, the real interest rate is about 17-42 %.

The US dollar loans cost around 8-10 %. Reflecting their higher unit transaction costs owing to smaller loan
sizes and high-risk client profile, MFIs charge even higher interest rates ranging from 35 to 75 % (with a real
interest rate of 27-67 %). The reasons for exorbitant interest rates are well known and much debated in
Zambia. From the bankers’perspective, agricultural lending is both risky and expensive. The banks are
reluctant to lend without adequate collateral coverage and a high-risk premium (World Bank, 2019).
The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is a body corporate, under the
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED), established through the
enactment of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act No. 9 of 2006 to foster broad-based economic
empowerment to targeted Citizens, Citizen influenced companies, Citizen empowered companies and
Citizen owned companies through several integrated socio-economic strategies. CEEC is a vehicle by which
government would like to transform Zambia into a nation where citizens play a key role in economic
activities.
In 2022 CEEC introduced an agricultural mechanisation loan product targeting to empower at least 100
Agricultural MSMEs and Cooperatives per province with viable and established businesses. The maximum
loan amount was set at K 2,000,000.00 and the loan would attract 12 % interest and maximum loan tenure
shall be 60 months. A Six (6) months grace period shall be given to all loan beneficiaries to set up and
operationalise their projects. Sufficient collateral must be provided to cover the loan. The Commission will
accept movable and immovable assets as collateral, including machinery, company stock, motor vehicles,
landed properties and account receivables.
4.5.2. Agribusinesses and Equipment Suppliers
The largest source of credit to smallholder farmers in Zambia, outside informal credit, are cotton ginners. The
out-grower scheme in the cotton sub-sector is one of the largest input credit schemes in Africa. The cotton
sub-sector mainly consists of several cotton ginning companies that comprise about 90 % of the cotton
market. Before the planting season, over 99 % of cotton farmers receive inputs from ginning companies on
credit under contract. The companies advance high-quality inputs to cotton farmers, including seeds,
fertilisers, pesticides, sometimes tools or other equipment, and occasionally technical support. In return, the
farmers agree to sell to the out grower companies the entire crop at a previously agreed price. Contract
farming can be an effective means of providing services and credit to farmers.
The dairy sub-sector is another relatively well-organised sub-sector where some suppliers offer inputs on
credit. The Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ) links milk producers with input suppliers that provide
chemicals, equipment, medicines and animal feed, sometimes on credit. The main suppliers are Livestock
Services, CAMCO Equipment Ltd, SARO Agro Industrial Ltd and National Milling Ltd. In most cases DAZ
facilitates payments and in other instances farmers deal directly with the suppliers. DAZ facilitates payments
in two ways, firstly, through the processors who pays the milk collection center for the dairy farmer’s milk
sales, less the amount owed to the supplier and secondly, it pays the suppliers on behalf of the members and
receives post -dated cheques in favor of DAZ.
4.5.3. Lease Financing
Lease financing can play a major role in agricultural finance in developing countries. It is
particularly appropriate as a method for financing agricultural machinery and equipment such as tractors,
post-harvest and processing; as well as irrigation equipment, as it allows the farmer to use and possess capital
goods while formal ownership is still with the leasing company. In Zambia, lease financing is regularly used
by the milling subsector, particularly for the purchase of milling equipment and trucks.

Some Zambian leasing finance companies have launched an initiative to extend lease financing to small scale
and emergent farmers. The Agricultural Leasing Company Ltd (AgleaseCo) is one of the leasing finance
companies improving small holder farmers’ access to agricultural mechanisation by providing lease financing
to acquire agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment.
AgLeaseCo has partnered with reputable companies such as CAMCO Equipment Ltd, SARO Agro Industrial
Ltd, GrowMore Zambia Ltd and AFGRI to establish a financing scheme to supply agricultural machinery and
equipment to smallholder farmers. The scheme is based on fixed interest (interest does not change), a down
payment of 20% and the leased asset represents the collateral. The current interest rate is 28 % without any
associated charges. The scheme comprises an arrangement in which AgLeaseco and partners share the risk up
to a value of 50 %.
A number of commercial banks have also partnered with CAMCO Equipment Ltd to establish a financing
scheme to supply agricultural machinery and equipment to farmers in the country. These are ZANACO,
Natsave and STANBIC Bank. In the case of ZANACO and STANBIC, the leasing arrangement provides for
interest rates of 35% to 40% and a down payment of 25%. In the case of Natsave, the leasing arrangement
provides for an interest rate of 35% and a down payment of 30%.
4.6. Summary of the diagnosis: SWOT Analysis
The conclusions drawn from the SWOT analysis of the existing Institutional Environment for agricultural
mechanisation are summarized in table 7.
Agricultural Mechanisation Enabling Policies and Strategies
Strengths Weeknesses
Supportive policies and strategies to enhance Implementation of agricultural mechanisation

promotion and adoption of agricultural strategies and plans not clearly and coherently
mechanisation technologies among smallholder articulated.
farmers. The scale of project interventions is rather small
and the approaches employed are diverse.
A number of agricultural development Project interventions usually do not employ a
projects (past and present) promoting comprehensive agricultural mechanisation value
elements of mechanisation along the value chain chain approach.
Opportunities Threats
Private sector recognised as vital player. Government involvement through projects

Some incentives for private sector distorts private sector investment dynamics.
participation provided for Government support to implementation of
Private sector willing to actively participate in agricultural mechanisation strategies lukewarm
enhancing mechanisation service provision and Change in policy which does not support
utilisation. agricultural mechanisation
Donor good will and support to promote
mechanisation interventions among smallholder
farmers

Agricultural Mechanisation Extension Services
• DoA HAS clear mandate to promote • No clear extension message for promoting
agricultural mechanisation technologies among agricultural mechanisation among small holder
small holder farmers farmers
• Inadequate/Poor Mechanisation Staff Complement
• MoA has a fairly robust national operational • Poor technical and practical knowledge
structure for promoting agricultural mechanisation among staff in agricultural mechanisation
technologies for smallholder farmers
• Inadequate knowledge and capacity of technical
staff to promote sustainable agricultural
mechanisation technologies.
• No Induction/Orientation/Refresher training
for staff
• Low Extension Officer-to-Farmer Ratio
• Lack of Agricultural Mechanisation Centres
of Excellence
• No budgetary allocation to agricultural
mechanisation extension.
• Poor extension staff mobility
• Vibrant private sector engaged and promoting
agricultural mechanisation services. Government changes Policy and strategic
direction which do not provide incentives
• Willingness and collaboration by private sector to the private sector involved in provision
to provide targeted mechanisation training for of extension services.
extension staff, small holder farmers and Private sector disinvests from promoting
service providers. agricultural mechanisation.
Inadequate government budgetary allocations
• Improved private sector coverage/network No recruitment and placement of
of service provision (aftersales services and spares) extension staff.
• NAES strategy – could be used to harmonise

mechanisation promotion among the public
and private sector players
Agricultural Mechanisation Training –Academic and Vocational
Key education institutions providing academic Training curricular revision done every 3-5 years
training in agricultural mechanisation but not responsive to changing
(professional and Technical) technological dynamics.

• Some TEVETA training institutions provide • Practical/attachment of students rather limiting
vocational training in agricultural mechanisation. as it does not expose them to desired complement of
mechanisation machinery and equipment and
• Curricular provides adequate basic scenarios.
agricultural mechanisation training • Training Institutions do not regularly invest in
new/modern) training aids (machinery and equipment)
• Willingness and collaboration by Inadequate Government Budgetary

private sector to provide targeted allocations to support mechanisation
mechanisation training for smallholder training.
farmers and service providers. Training Institutions change curricular
• Extensive national network of Farm and do not include agricultural
Institutes and Farmer Training Centres mechanisation
for training staff and farmers in
agricultural mechanisation
Agricultural Mechanisation Research
Clear mandate for ZARI to undertakadaptive • No defined mechanisation research programme/

research in agricultural mechanisation agenda.
technologies. • No dedicated Government staff and
TDAU at UNZA capable of undertaking infrastructure structure for mechanisation research.
technology development and adaptive research. • No legal framework to support and enhance
Private sector interest and involvement mechanisation research.
• No budgetary allocation to agricultural
mechanisation research
Government willingness to fulfil adaptive Government commitment to facilitate and

research mandate. enhance mechanisation research not fulfilled.
Government to provide Infrastructure and staff. Change in Policy which does not support
TDAU structures and staff exist. mechanisation adaptive research.
Enhanced private sector demand for
mechanisation adaptation research.

Farmer Organisations Promoting Agriculture Interventions
A number of vibrant farmer organisations Farmer Organisations inclined to FISP.

supporting smallholder farmers exist in Lobbying of Government rather weak
the sector. Project type implementation approach
Have membership through which and usually influenced by sponsor’s
agricultural interventions are promoted. agenda.
Able to mobilise resources to promote Does not use membership to mobilise
agricultural interventions operational resources
Mobilised membership targeted to promote Donors do not continue sponsorship.

agricultural mechanisation interventions. Organisations continue to promote agricultural
Mobilised resources employed to enhance interventions sponsored by donors
spread of mechanisation messages
and adoption.

PART II.
AGRICULTURAL
AND ACTION PLAN

Chapter 5. Strategic Framework and Objectives
5.1 Strategic Framework
Agricultural mechanisation in Zambia, has always been of particular interest to the government, as evidenced
by the various agricultural policy documents. The documents portray a political will to transform agriculture
through agricultural intensification in response to the country's significant challenges in the years to come, such
as the fight against poverty and unemployment. Thus, the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy is
guided bythe major policy orientations formulated at the national, regional and international levels
(Figure 4).
Figure 4. Strategic Framework for Agricultural Mechanisation
SDGs
F-SAMA
Vision 2030
NAMS
At the national level, there are policy statements on agricultural mechanisation contained in several agricultur-
al policies and plans. In line with the Vision 2030, the Eighth National Development Plan (2022 – 2026),
Second National Agricultural Policy, the National Agriculture Investment Plan (2013 – 2018) and the Ministry
of Agriculture Strategic Plan (2022 – 2026), the implementation of the National Agricultural Mechanisation
Strategy (NAMS) will result in a significant increase in the use and adoption of agricultural mechanisation
technologies among smallholder farmers, women and youth. Mechanisation will play a critical role in bringing
more land into agricultural production, improve efficiency of farming operations, increase production and
productivity, and enhance food and nutrition security at household and national levels.
At the continental level, the NAMS responds to aspirations/ambitions of the AU Agenda 2063, the Malabo
Declaration and the CAADP Framework. It has also internalised the ten priority elements of the Framework
for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation in Africa (F-SAMA).
The F-SAMA provides a mechanism for concerted action on sustainable agricultural mechanisation by all key
stakeholders on the African continent.
The NAMS is also in tandem with the country's commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop-
ment adopted by the United Nations, in particular, SDG1 aimed at eradicating poverty and SDG2 aimed at
eradicating hunger, ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Recognising the role that agricultural mechanisation can play in agricultural and rural development, the
National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy is an essential component and its integration into the
development agenda becomes imperative.

5.2 Future Scenario for Agricultural Mechanisation in Zambia
In Zambia, three agricultural mechanisation systems coexist, manual, animal, and motorised. While the first
system remains the most dominant, the transition to motorised mechanisation must be made in harmony within
the local socio-economic and environmental context and according to the political orientation. Several factors
will influence the development of agricultural mechanisation in the years to come.
Increased adoption of agricultural mechanisation will lead to a significant shift in the

transformation of smallholder farming systems towards more sedentary (permanent) cropping systems,
promoting the intensification of agricultural production systems. This will also alleviate the increasing season-
al labour constraints faced by small and medium-sized farmers, particularly women farmers. The adoption of
a wide range of agricultural mechanisation technologies along the value chain, from land development and
preparation to post-harvest, processing, and irrigation, will mitigate some of the barriers that hinder the full
realisation of crop diversification, among smallholder farmers, and thus contribute significantly to improved
household and national food and nutrition security.
Zambia has been impacted by the effects of climate change, which have manifested in increased severity and
frequency of prolonged dry spells and droughts, and changes in rainfall patterns that affect rainfall onset and
cessation dates among others. Therefore, the need for agricultural mechanisation to increase productivity is
crucial to enhance adaptation to these changes.
Finally, there is a real need to benefit from agricultural mechanisation to reduce the drudgery of work and make
farming an attractive enterprise for future generations of farmers.
5.2.1.Status of Motorised Mechanisation
The use of motorised machinery, implements and equipment, which currently stands at about 2 % nationally
and is particularly very low among smallholder farmers, is projected to increase to about 30 %. Increased use
of motorised mechanisation is expected to go beyond land development and preparation operations to include
farming operations such as weed control, harvesting and post-harvest handling and processing. However, the
sustainable development of motorised mechanisation is rather complex and can only be achieved if certain
conditions are met. The following should be considered:
The transition to sustainable motorised mechanisation will only take place with intensification of
agriculture and its development will not take place in the same way and rate for different regions of
thecountry and the different value chains.
Motorised mechanisation will only lead to sustainable increases in yields if, in parallel, farmers adopt other
production factors such as high-yield crop varieties and associated good agricultural practices.
Promotion of motorised agricultural operations should be accompanied with robust capacity building
activities for extension staff, mechanisation service providers and operators of machinery and equipment.
Motorised mechanisation can only be profitable if the rate of use is high. Consequently, the periods of
agricultural activity as well as the operations requiring motorised mechanisation must be sufficient for the
number of hours of annual use to be significant.
The use of tractors and equipment can only be effective if the farm plots are leveled and free of obstacles
such as tree stumps, roots and stones.
Motorised mechanisation should not be based solely on thermal energy, but should also be extended to
renewable energies, particularly solar energy.
Motorised mechanisation will have to develop over the long term by relying on policy, legislative and
structural investment reforms.

5.2.2. Potential for Increased Animal-Drawn Mechanisation
The use of animal draught power (ADP), which currently stands at about 30 %, is concentrated mainly in
Southern, Central, Eastern and Western provinces and is adapted to the small-scale farming systems. Animal
draught power is still generally affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers. The availability of ADP
enables farm labour (own or hired) to increase production efficiency and productivity. Given the increasing
labour shortages in most rural farming communities, the limited supply of tractor services, the size and
condition of most smallholder farm plots and the relatively low capital investment costs, the use of animal
drought power is still appropriate and viable in the short to medium term.
ADP has the potential to increase to about 60 % and could extend to areas where there is currently limited or
no use of ADP as there is potential for smallholder farmers to acquire draught animals and equipment.
5.2.3. Role of Manual Mechanisation
Manual tools are still dominant in Zambian agriculture and are found on all farms, regardless of their size,
location, and technological level. Indeed, there are still agricultural activities where the use of hand tools
remains important: from land preparation to harvesting, including post-harvest operations. Most smallholder
farmers (about 60 %) are still using manually operated tools, to undertake most of their farm operations. It is
however, foreseen and desired that this changes into a situation where the use of such manual tools declines to
less than 10 %.Given the current context, manual mechanisation will be compelled to develop through
diversification and improvement of the quality of equipment (manual tools) to meet the agricultural operations
needs of smallholder farmers.
5.3 Strategic Direction for the Sustainable Development of Agricultural Mechanisation
Zambia has great potential to increase agricultural production. The diagnostic analysis
highlighted several constraints related to the development of agricultural mechanisation which will need to be
addressed, including those, at the various levels such as mechanisation services demand and supply and the
institutional environment.
5.3.1 Vision, Mission and Overall objective
Agricultural mechanisation actions must be part of a continuous, long-term process to be sustainable. Thus, the
long-term vision in line with Zambia's Vision 2030 is:By 2030, agricultural mechanisation in Zambia will be
sufficient, sustainable and adapted to the socio-economic context of stakeholders and environmental
requirements, contributing to food security, the competitiveness of agricultural products, the strengthening of
agricultural value chains, and increased incomes for agricultural farmers.
Mission
To create an enabling environment for the sustainable development of agricultural mechanisation that meets the
needs of stakeholders, including women and youth, considering economic, social, and environmental
sustainability.
Overall Objective
To make agricultural mechanisation and its services more accessible, of better quality and more efficient for the
benefit of different categories of farmers along the agri-food value chain.

5.3.2. Guiding Principles
The strategy is based on the following Guiding Principles that are essential for the orientation of all proposed
strategic actions, namely:
Sustainable agricultural mechanisation technologies:

All agricultural mechanisation actions and technologies employed along the value chain shall be sustainable,
environmentally friendly and positively contribute to national economic growth and social development
objectives.
Accountability:
The Government and all stakeholders shall ensure that they will be accountable for all actions, programmes,
activities and decisions undertaken in the implementation of the Strategy.
Equity:
The Government and all stakeholders shall ensure fairness and impartiality in the implementation of the
Strategy.
Transparency:
The Government and all stakeholders shall ensure openness and employ a consistent framework that creates an
enabling environment.
Integrity:
The Government and all stakeholders shall ensure that the Strategy is implemented in an honest and credible
manner.
Inclusiveness:
It is the Government’s intention that all stakeholders are involved in the implementation of the Strategy.
Consultative and collective approach:

All agricultural mechanisation actions shall be undertaken using an integrated, consultative and
multi-stakeholder approach with special consideration for private sector participation/
involvement
5.4 Theory of Change
The theory of change addresses the various issues raised in the diagnosis to guide the changes to be made in
the coming years. The overall objective is to make agricultural mechanisation and its services more accessible,
of better quality, and more efficient for the benefit of smallholder farmers along the agri-food value chain (See
Figure 5 below).
The first change to be considered is to effectively promote and enhance adoption of appropriate practices in
using and managing agricultural mechanisation machinery and equipment efficiently. The objective is to
undertake strategic interventions to develop, manage and disseminate technical knowledge in agricultural
mechanisation. This knowledge will serve as the basis for training, extension and advisory services to enable
smallholder farmers choose appropriate agricultural machinery, equipment and technologies and for actors in
the agricultural machinery and equipment supply chain to provide quality agricultural mechanisation services.
The second change to be considered is to strengthen the demand for mechanisation by making equipment and
machinery more accessible to farmers in a sustainable manner. By accessibility, we mean how farmers can
access agricultural machinery and equipment, which can either be purchased or hired from entrepreneurs or
mechanisation service providers (MSPs). Accessibility also includes access to various mechanisation services,
such as repairs, maintenance and spare parts.

The third change is to improve the role of the private sector in the agricultural mechanisation supply chain so
that it effectively and efficiently meets the needs of smallholder farmers byproviding good quality agricultural
machinery and equipment, and related services on a sustainable basis.
The three changes constitute the three thematic areas addressed by the theory of change.
The thematic areas are:
Thematic Area 1: Promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural mechanisation pactices among
Thematic Area 2: Strengthening agricultural mechanisation demand for smallholder farmers, women and
youth and
Thematic Area 3: Strengthening the role of the private sector in the agricultural mechanisation supply
chain.
Figure 5. Theory of Change

Chapter 6. Action Plan and Implementation Framework
6.1 Introduction
The action plan is designed based on the logical framework for strategy formulation (annex 1). It is presented
by Thematic Areas, Strategic Objectives and interventions. It includes indicators, timeline, cost estimates and
responsible implementing institutions.
This action plan does not replace the operationalization plan but should be considered a preliminary
document providing an outline for implementation. Approaches to implementation must be tailored and
adjusted according to the requirements of the funding sources. It is, therefore, important that prior to the
implementation of the action plan, a process of ownership and internalisation within the structures of
government, private sector actors and agricultural and farmer organisations is initiated. To enhance and
coordinate implementation of the strategy, an institutional framework is proposed with a monitoring and
evaluation system.
The implementation of NAMS will require strong political will and commitment. It is envisaged that the
strategy will cover the period 2024-2028 (4 years).
6.2 Thematic Areas, Strategic Objectives and Interventions
6.2.1 Thematic Area 1: Promoting Sustainable and Efficient Agricultural Mechanisation Prac-
tices among Smallholder Farmers.
Focuses on mobilising knowledge through research, extension and advisory services, education and training.
By providing a framework for building and transferring knowledge adapted to the context of farmers, this
thematic area recognises the small holder farmer as a critical component of human capital in the agricultural
sector.The thematic area includes three strategic objectives and each strategic objective is divided into
strategic interventions.
Strategic Objective 1.1: Promote the development of knowledge in agricultural mechanisation among the actors
involved in the agricultural value chain.
Rationale
Agricultural mechanisation research and development in Zambia has received very little or no funding at all for
a long time. ZARI research stations thus have focused research and development activities in other areas of
agriculture. This has resulted in a paucity of national evidence/information on agricultural mechanisation that
could be used for policy formulation.
To successfully introduce and promote agricultural mechanisation machinery, equipment and technologies, it is
important for research to verify and validate the functionality and adaptability of such machinery and equipment
(especially for imported ones) and technologies to the country's local conditions and develop
technical data sheets on the performance of the machinery, equipment and technologies.
Strategic Interventions

Strategic Objective 1.2. Disseminate knowledge in agricultural mechanisation among the actors involved in the
agricultural value chain.
Rationale
Disseminating knowledge in agricultural mechanisation requires an organised and effective agricultural
extension service with appropriately packaged messages and defined delivery mechanisms. There are no clear
agricultural mechanisation extension messages for small holder farmers and no defined delivery mechanisms.
This scenario is further compounded by apparent inadequate technical competencies in agricultural
mechanisation among professional and technical staff in the Ministry of Agriculture. Whereas there is an
elaborate crops extension services delivery structure and mechanisms, this will need to be adjusted to
internalise or include the delivery of agricultural mechanisation extension messages.
Access to information in agricultural mechanisation and its merits is very low among smallholder farmers,
which could in part be attributed to the low extension worker-to-farmer ratio.
To enhance agricultural mechanisation extension service provision/delivery, government will need to improve
the technical competencies of extension staff, develop/formulate an appropriate agricultural mechanisation
extension delivery mechanism and technical messages and increase the extension worker to farmer ratio among
others.
1) Conduct a baseline survey for agricultural mechanisation along the value chain - status and demand.
2) Establish and maintain a National Agricultural Mechanisation Data bank.
3) Formulate an agricultural mechanisation extension manual to guide the effective packaging and
delivery of agricultural mechanisation extension messages and services.
4) Enhance the technical capacity for agricultural mechanisation extension services.
5) Promote climate smart and environmentally friendly agricultural mechanisation production
and processing technologies along the value chain.
6) Develop the capacity of smallholder farmers to adopt good agricultural mechanisation practices such
as stumping of trees to facilitate the efficient use of agricultural machinery and equipment.
7) Build capacity of rural artisans, mechanics and service providers in the design, maintenance and
repair of agricultural machinery, equipment and tools.
8) Conduct sensitisation for stakeholders to nurture business opportunities in small and medium scale
agro processing along the value chain.
9) Build capacity of primary agro processing and service providers along the value chain.
10) Facilitate the establishment of a National Agricultural Mechanisation Association to serve as a
platform for information exchange among agricultural mechanisation service providers.
11) Enhance budgetary funding for agricultural mechanisation extension services.
Strategic Objective 1.3. Strengthen the national education and vocational training system
in agricultural mechanisation.
Rationale
The role of training in improving human capital for the effective implementation of development policies and
programmes is no longer in question. There are four main education institutions in Zambia which offer
academic programmes in agricultural mechanisation. However, the training provided is inclined to theory more
than knowledge application. It also does not seem to adequately capture and reflect the emerging technological
advances in the agricultural mechanisation landscape.
Only one (TEVETA) vocational training institution in the country offers a training programme in agricultural
mechanics, the rest offer programmes in automotive mechanics.

1) Strengthen the capacity of universities and agricultural colleges to offer relevant training in
agricultural mechanisation and related disciplines.
2) Strengthen the capacity of TEVETA colleges to offer relevant vocational training to the youth in
agricultural mechanisation.
3) Strengthen the agricultural mechanisation departments of universities and colleges by improving
training facilities and teaching aids.
4) Provide courses in entrepreneurship to enhance business management skills and innovation
among students in agricultural mechanisation along the value chain.
5) Develop and undertake annual refresher training programmes on the use and management of
agricultural machinery and equipment including emerging agricultural mechanisation
technological innovations.
6) Partner TEVETA institutions with the private sector and other stakeholders to support vocational
training institutions to offer formal and informal short courses to the youth and farmers in artisanal
and agricultural mechanisation related subjects.
6.2.2 Thematic Area 2: Strengthening Agricultural Mechanisation Demand for Smallholder

Farmers, Women and Youth.
The demand for technologically advanced agricultural mechanisation in Zambia is rather low. Access to
agricultural machinery and equipment such as tractors and processing equipment is quite diversified depend-
ing on the different hire services business models available. Commonly four (4) types of agricultural
mechanisation business models are in use and these are: Private entrepreneurship business model, Group or
organisation business model, Private sector importer/manufacturer led hire service business model and
Multi-purpose hub business model.
To boost agricultural mechanisation, government must create a favorable environment to encourage and attract
investment in the acquisition of agricultural machinery and equipment and the provision of mechanisation
services among the various actors in the agricultural value chain. Therefore, several actions including the
provision of incentives will need to be considered. This thematic area includes three strategic objectives and
each strategic objective is divided into strategic
interventions.
Strategic Objective 2.1. Promote access to smallholder land development services.
Rationale
A good percentage of smallholder farmers’ fields are generally not levelled and cleared of tree stumps, roots
and stones, which makes it difficult to use tractors and equipment for land preparation and other farming
operations. This situation also negatively impacts mechanisation service provision as it is a source of
unnecessary machinery and equipment breakdown and damage and can be an expensive cost. Consequently,
farming operations in fields which are not well cleared of tree stumps, roots and stone cannot be mechanised
and thus farmers lose out in increasing/improving their production efficiency and productivity.
Access to affordable land clearing services will allow smallholder farmers to level their fields and properly
clear/remove tree stumps, roots and stones. This will facilitate the effective and efficient use of agricultural
mechanisation machinery and equipment for land preparation and other farming operations.
It is critical that a land development service/programme for smallholder farmers is promoted to not only
increase their production and productivity through agricultural mechanisation, but also to increase the demand
for agricultural mechanisation and make mechanisation services
provision viable.

1) Promote environmentally friendly land development services.
2) Develop and promote customised, affordable and innovative land development
services financing products and packages for smallholder farmers, women and youth.
3) Identify and develop business models for smallholder land development services.
Strategic Objective 2.2: Promote financial products/mechanisms to enhance smallholder farmers’ acquisition
of agricultural machinery and equipment.
Rationale
The ability of small and medium-scale farmers and entrepreneurs to procure and maintain agricultural
machinery and equipment is limited and obtaining loans from financial institutions is not easy. Most
smallholder farmers depend on their savings to buy agricultural inputs, tools, machinery and equipment and
pay for services. Few financial institutions in the country offer agricultural mechanisation financial products
targeting smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs. However, these financial products are not easily accessible
though and have very stringent conditions, as financial service providers consider it risky to lend to smallholder
farmers due to among others their low financial capacity and limited collateral status. There is need for
financial institutions to develop specific financial products and packages to spar investment in and use of
agricultural mechanisation technologies along the agricultural value chains.
1. Establish an agricultural mechanisation Fund to provide concessionary loans and matching grants
to smallholder farmers, women and youth, and farmers organisations.
2. Develop and promote customised, affordable and innovative financing products and packages in
agricultural mechanisation for smallholder farmers, women and
youth and farmers organisations.
3. Promote appropriate business models to enhance access to agricultural mechanisation services
for smallholder farmers, women and youth.
4. Promote the establishment of private sector-led agricultural mechanisation service centres.
5. Promote the development of public-private partnerships to foster the spread of
business models that improve the provision of hire services.
6. promote agro-value chains with viable potential for market uptake and value addition.
7. Enhance access to and use of improved post-harvest and agro- processing
technologies and services.
Strategic Objective 2.3: Promote the use of agricultural machinery and equipment among women and youth
Rationale
In agricultural development, men, women and youth are recognised as important players, but women and
young farmers generally face more socio-cultural and economic constraints than men. The Zambian
government recognises the importance of the inclusion of the youth and women in agricultural promotion and
diversification efforts as they have a prominent role to play. Increased utilisation of agricultural machinery and
equipment along the value chain among women and youth smallholder farmers will lead to improving their
agricultural productivity and creation of jobs.
Zambia has about 8 million youths who account for about 50% of the total population. About 60% of the total
labour force directly participates in the agricultural sector (World Bank 2014). Similarly, women play a very
important role in the agricultural sector. At least 78 % of women are engaged in agriculture, compared with
69 % men. Consequently, if facilitated with appropriate agricultural support services, women have the potential
to significantly contribute to food and nutrition security. (GRZ, 2013)

1) Develop and promote customised, affordable and innovative financing products
and packages in agricultural mechanisation for women and youth.
2) In collaboration with financial institutions develop friendly financial products for
youth and women small holder farmers to enhance access to and use of agricultural
3) Support and facilitate the use of appropriate agricultural machinery and equipment
by the women and youth.
4) Develop capacity of women and youth smallholder farmers in agricultural
mechanisation.
5) Develop ICT packages for promotion of agricultural mechanisation among the
women and youth smallholder farmers.
6.2.3 Thematic Area 3: Strengthening the Role of the Private Sector in the Agricultural
Mechanisation Supply Chain.
The role of the private sector in the agricultural mechanisation supply chain is crucial and concerns all the
players representing manufacturers, importers, distributors and repairers. It covers all the agricultural
machinery and equipment in the entire agricultural value chain. It must be able to offer farmers the necessary
machinery and equipment, provide appropriate services and operate in a competitive environment where the
various activities can become profitable. The number of local manufacturers in Zambia is quite low and
imported machinery and equipment are expensive. Local manufacturing of agricultural machinery and equip-
ment is at an early stage of development and is hampered by international competition and imports.
In addition, there is a shortage of competent and qualified mechanisation service providers (viz., mechanics
and workshops) and spare parts dealers in remote areas of the country. As a result, the repair and maintenance
of agricultural machinery, equipment and tools is often poor or sub-standard, thus negatively impacting
mechanised operations and the viability of smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs.
Thematic area 3, includes two strategic objectives and each strategic objective is divided into strategic
interventions.
Strategic Objective 3.1: Strengthen the local manufacture and importation of agricultural machinery and
Rationale
One of the main reasons for the low levels of agricultural mechanisation in Zambia is the high cost of
acquisition of the machinery and equipment. This is in part because the number of local manufacturers is quite low and
imported machinery and equipment are rather expensive. Local manufacturing of agricultural
machinery and equipment is at an early stage and is also hampered by international competition and imports. Most
private sector companies are usually franchises that import and sell select brands of agricultural
machinery, equipment and tools.
Though some of the importers and suppliers of agricultural machinery and equipment provide after-sales services, this
is insufficient compared to demand. It was further observed that the availability of spare parts has generally improved in
the country, however, repair and maintenance facilities and services are generally poor and there is often a critical lack
of technical expertise and spare parts, leading to long periods of downtime, under utilisationand premature write-off of
1) Provide incentives to attract local and foreign investment in manufacturing agricultural machinery
and equipment.
2) Provide incentives for investors and SMEs in the manufacture and distribution of
agricultural machinery and equipment.

3) Develop and implement training programmes for continuous improvement of local manufacturers.
4) Facilitate the creation of a platform for information exchange for private sector manufacturers of
agricultural machinery and equipment.
5) Provide incentives to catalyse importation, distribution and maintenance of appropriate agricultural
machinery and equipment by the private sector.
Strategic Objective 3.2: Develop a regulatory framework for quality assurance of agricultural machinery,
equipment and tools.
Rationale
The regulatory aspect of agricultural mechanisation in Zambia needs to be reviewed and enhanced. The regulatory
framework, which should act as a facilitating mechanism for catalysing implementing of agricultural
mechanisation initiatives and be an attractive tool for investors or suppliers of agricultural machinery and
equipment, is not flexible because it is not harmonized and hence is ineffective. It is, therefore, necessary to have a
regulatory framework regulating safety measures, sale, rental and driving and operation of machinery such as
tractors,through appropriate orders and decrees. It may be useful to have regulations dealing exclusively with
agricultural mechanisation as currently there is none.
As regards quality control of imported and manufactured agricultural machinery and equipment, there is no state
structure responsible for this activity. Thus, the establishment of a regulatory framework and institution to set
appropriate Zambian standards for all agricultural mechanisation products will be important.
1) Develop national standards, testing and certification procedures and mechanisms for agricultural
2) Establish a National Agricultural Mechanisation Testing Centre.
3) Promote adaptation and re-engineering of agricultural machinery and equipment prototypes that meet
Zambian standards.
4) Disseminate the national standards, testing and certification procedures and mechanisms for
agricultural machinery, equipment and tools.
5) Enforce the use of national standards in the design of agricultural machinery, equipment and tools.
6) Strengthen the capacity for testing and evaluation of agricultural machineryequipment and tools.
7) Enforce standards for raw materials used in the local manufacture of agricultural
8) Enforce standards for agricultural machinery, equipment and tools at points of entry.
9) Enforce the provision of after sales services and other related services for agricultural machinery and
equipment by manufacturers and distributors.
6.3. Implementation, Monitoring and Supporting Measures

The formulation of this strategy is a very important step in the process of the sustainable development of
agricultural mechanisation in Zambia. However, it will only be of value if the proposed strategy statements and
interventions are translated into concrete actions on the ground. For this reason, special attention must be given to
the implementation phase and in particular to the setting up of an institutional framework and effective monitoring
and evaluation system.
6.3.1. Institutional Framework
The complexity of the issue of agricultural mechanisation and its multidisciplinary nature means that many
institutions will need to be involved to ensure its successful implementation.

The institutional framework illustrated in Figure 6 below proposes the creation of a National Agricultural
Mechanisation Steering Committee and a National Agricultural Mechanisation Technical Committee.The
Government shall ensure that a comprehensive framework for the effective coordination and
implementation of an integrated national agricultural mechanisation strategy is put in place. The relevant
Ministries will be expected to review relevant policies and legislation to ensure that they support and facilitate
the attainment of the objectives of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy.
Figure 6. Institutional Arrangement for Implementation of the Strategy.
National Agricultural Mechanisation Steering Committee
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Steering Committee (NAMSC) shall be the supreme decision-making
body for overseeing agricultural mechanisation interventions in the country. Its composition will include
representatives from the following Ministries: Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Finance and National
Planning, Commerce Trade and Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Education, Technology
and Science, Local Government and Rural Development, Youth, Sports and Arts and Gender Division. Key
agricultural mechanisation stakeholders including from the private sector, Cooperating partners and NGOs will
also be represented.
The NAMSC will be Co-Chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and a representative
of the Private sector. The Director responsible for Agriculture shall be the secretariat to the Steering Committee
The following will be the core responsibilities of the Steering Committee:
a. Oversee the development and revision of appropriate policies and legislation to facilitate and catalyse
the implementation of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy.
b. Provide policy guidance to facilitate the mainstreaming and integration of agricultural
mechanisation activities in National Development Plans, Sector Policies,
Strategies and Plans including among the private sector and non-state actors.
c. Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the agricultural mechanisation
implementation Plan and relevant reports.
d. Provide policy guidance to facilitate resource mobilisation for agricultural mechanisation interventions.
e. Provide policy guidance to ensure that agricultural mechanisation programmes are complementary
and result in sustained positive impacts on the economy and people’s livelihoods.

National Agricultural Mechanisation Technical Committee.
There shall be established a National Agricultural Mechanisation Technical Committee (NAMTC) comprising
representatives from relevant Ministries and key stakeholders including from the private sector. The National
Agricultural Mechanisation Technical Committee shall be the main advisory body to the National Agricultural
Mechanisation Steering Committee on policy and NAMS implementation. The Technical Committee shall be
chaired by the Director of Agriculture.
The Technical Committee will have the following core responsibilities:

a. Formulate and/or review in consultation with stakeholders, appropriate policies and
legislation to facilitate/catalyse the implementation of the National Agricultural
Mechanisation Strategy and accordingly recommend these to the NAMSC.
b. Formulate in collaboration with stakeholders, the annual national agricultural
mechanisation implementation plan.
c. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the NAMS in line with its objectives.
d. Coordinate the implementation of agricultural mechanisation initiatives, programmes and projects and
e. Report to the Steering Committee on progress made in the implementation of the National Agricultural
Mechanisation Strategy interventions.
The Assistant Director – Technical Services Branch shall be the secretariat to the National Agricultural
Mechanisation Technical Committee.The Ministry responsible for Agriculture will be the lead institution in
overseeing the coordination and implementation of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy and will
report to the National Agricultural Mechanisation Steering Committee (NAMSC).
6.3.2. Monitoring and Evaluation
The implementation of the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS) will be monitored regularly
by the National Agricultural Mechanisation Steering Committee (NAMSC) and the National Agricultural
Mechanisation Technical Committee (NAMTC). They will utilise an annual reporting framework to capture
and report progress. Evaluation will also be conducted to assess the impact of the NAMS and benefits accruing
to the small holder farmers and mechanisation service providers. This will involve the establishment of
baseline benchmarks and indicators by the responsible ministries in collaboration with key stakeholders.
The NAMS is underpinned on the principles of integration, collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders,
especially the private sector. Hence monitoring, evaluation and assessments shall be undertaken through strong
partnerships between government ministries, the private sector, development and cooperating partners,
informal Sector, NGOs, CSOs, academic institutions and other stakeholders.
For effective monitoring and coordination of the NAMS, all key ministries and institutions will align their
monitoring and evaluation frameworks with the government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation System. The
institutional arrangements for monitoring and evaluation in the government-wide M&E system will mirror the
roles and responsibilities set out in the Implementation Framework of the national implementation plan. This
is to ensure that planning and M&E processes are standardised, interconnected, fully internalised and applied
by the relevant institutions with the view to generate coordinated developmental results to inform
decision-making processes.
Monitoring
Monitoring of interventions will be done by district level staff in the Ministry of Agriculture who will use
reported data by agriculture extension workers, livestock officers and other officers who have networks at the
sub-district level.

Monitoring will be used as a continuous internal management activity whose purpose is to ensure that the
NAMS achieves its defined objectives within a prescribed time−frame and budget. The monitoring framework
will ensure the provision of regular feedback on the progress of strategy implementation and report any
problems arising during implementation so that duty bearers can resolve them expeditiously.
Staff in the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters will conduct regular field visits to provide technical support
to staff at provincial, district and camp level. Review meetings will also be held on a quarterly basis to assess
progress towards the achievement of the agreed results. The Technical Services Branch will be required to
produce quarterly performance reports in narrative and financial form for analysis and discussion by the
ministry through various sector working committees. The quarterly reports will focus on progress made against
planned inputs and outcomes, resource use efficiency, review of performance levels achieved and proposed
measures to improve performance.
Evaluation
Building the link to monitoring, evaluations will be conducted mainly to assess the impact of the National
Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy in the medium and long term. It will be important therefore, to undertake
a baseline survey at the start of the implementation phase so that it becomes a basis for performance and impact
assessment in years to come.
Evaluation will be aligned with other performance reporting frameworks so that duty bearers are prepared to
conduct a mid-term review and an end-term evaluation at the end of the implementation period. Evaluations
(both mid and end-term) will provide lessons from assessments of the impact both intended and unintended to
inform similar interventions in future aimed at increasing the utilisation of appropriate agricultural mechanisa-
tion technologies and agricultural productivity.
6.4. Financing
There is no doubt that the investment cost required to implement the NAMS over the coming years is high. The
financial resources required should be commensurate with the ambitions of this strategy and will be spread
over the period of the implementation plan. The total cost for the five (5) years duration of the strategy is
estimated at ZMW 3,681 billion (equivalent to US$ 184 Million).
6.4.1. Financing Actors
The government will be responsible for mobilising the necessary resources and establishing the appropriate
institutional framework. It will finance the implementation of the strategy by allocating the resources needed
from the national budget. To this end, it will be expected to provide an annual budget to fund the line ministries,
to enable them implement actions aimed at attaining the targets espoused in the NAMS.The Development and
Cooperating partners will be expected to participate in and catalyse the implementation of the strategy through
financing of the various interventions in the NAMS.
6.4.2. Financial Estimate
The implementation of the national agricultural mechanisation strategy will take place in the context of limited
financial resources. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the agricultural sector is a national priority therefore,
the mobilization of financial resources by the government and other partners is imperative.
The estimated NAMS implementation cost was based on an indicative assessment of the financial resources
necessary for the activities planned to attain the results defined to achieve specific targeted objectives.
Consequently, the budget for the various actions planned within the framework of the strategy is given as an
estimate only. The budget details are presented in table 8 below.

Table 8: Financial estimates and timeline of the NAMS implementation
Strategic Objectives Cost Estimates (ZMW) Timeline
Strategic Objective 1.1. To develop knowledge in 483,000,000.00 2024 - 2028
agricultural mechanisation among the actors
Strategic Objective 1.2 To disseminate knowledge in 1,264 ,000,000.00 2024 - 2028
agricultural mechanisation among the actors
Strategic Objective 1.3. To strengthen the national 390,0 00,000.00 2024 - 2028
education and training system in agricultural
mechanisation .
13 0,000,0000.00 2024 - 2028
Strategic Objective 2.1. Promote access to small
holder land development services.
1,120 ,000,000 .00
Strategic Objective 2.2: To promote financial 2024 - 2028
products/mechanisms to enhance small holder
farmers acquisition of agricultural machinery and
equipment.
Strategic Objective 2.3 To promote the use of 115 ,000,000.00 2024 - 2028
Agricultural machinery and equipment among
women and youth smallholder farmers
Strategic Objective 3.1. To strengthen the local 24 ,000,000.00 2024 - 2028
manufacture and importation of agricultural
machinery and equipment by the private sector.
Strategic Objective 3. 2. To develop a regulatory 155,0 00,000.00 2024 - 2028
framework for quality assurance of agricultural
machinery, equipment and tools
Grand Total 3,681 ,000,000.00
6.5. Communication Plan
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy (NAMS) will need to be disseminated to all relevant
stakeholders through a robust communication plan. The National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) in
the Ministry of Agriculture will develop a communication plan for the NAMS. This plan will have strategies
to facilitate communication through different media platforms to smallholder farmers and all relevant
stakeholders in the sector. The plan guiding principles should include openness, quality, embracing a culture
of knowledge sharing and learning and fostering partnership to sustain productive relationships, partnerships
and networks.
The Communication Plan will adopt appropriate and different communication & social marketing techniques
in order to ensure the agricultural mechanisation messages intended for the various target audience have the
desired impact. Some of the communication tools and activities this plan will employ include face-to-face,
print-based, electronic and audio-visual, social media and digital platforms.
The implementation of the Communication plan will be monitored on an ongoing basis and evaluated
annually. Key performance indicators will include, but are not limited to:
1) Increased reach, awareness and recognition of agricultural mechanisation programmes.
2) Changes in target audience knowledge, perceptions or attitudes
3) Extended reach through integration into partner’s Communication Plans
4) Achievement of activities included in communication plans.
5) Meeting communication plan objectives

ANNEXES
ANNEX 1: LOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION STRATEGY
Thematic Area 1: Promoting Sustainable And Efficient Agricultural Mechanisation Practices Among Smallholder Farmers
Performance/Output Targets Means of Timeline Cost Estimates Responsible
Strategic Objectives Strategic Interventions
Indicators Verifications (ZMW) institution
Strategic Objective 1.1: 1) Strengthen agricultural No of climate smart At least one technology Quarterly reports 2024-2028 50,000,000.00 MoA, Universities,
Promote the development of mechanisation technologies mechanisation technologies adapted per two years Annual Reports Colleges, CPs,
knowledge in adaptive research and develop- adapted Private sector
agricultural mechanisation ment systems for climate smart
among the actors involved in technologies in plant production, No of climate technologies At least one technology
the agricultural value chain. post-harvest handling, animal developed Developed per two
husbandry. years
2) Create platforms for effective No. of stakeholder platforms At least one stakeholer Minutes of stakeholder
2024-2025 1,000,000.00 MoA
stakeholder linkages and data created platform with a data meetings
sharing in climate smart management system One Data management
agricultural mechanisation (repository) system established
research and development
3) Strengthen collaboration No. of stakeholder collaboration At least one National • Minutes of collaboration 2024-2025 1,000.000.00 MoA
among public institutions and platforms collaboration platform meetings
private sector involved in No. of collaborative research At least 50% of agricultural • Quarterly and annual
agricultural mechanisation programmes and activities mechanisation research and report
research and extension. implemented. extension programmes and
activities are collaborative
Dedicated Budget line for One budget line for •Yellow book
4) Enhance budgetary funding to
agricultural mechanisation agricultural mechanisation •Annual Financial returns 2024-2028 100,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP
research and development research development •Annual reports
research and development.
created (MoA/ZARI)
5) Enhance the technical capacity No. of Mechanisation research At least 100 mechanisation •Staff returns 2024-2026 120,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP
for agricultural mechanisation staff employed research staff employed
research and development.
No. of mechanisation research At least 100 staff • Training reports 2024-2026 5,000,000.00 MoA
staff trained
No. of mechanisation research •Transport facilities

All staff 2024-2025 6,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP
staff provided with mobility procured
facilities
6) Establish regional agricultural No. of regional agricultural At least Four regional •Operational reports
2024-2026 200,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP
Mechanisation Centres of mechanisation centres of agricultural mechanisation Quarterly and annual
Excellence excellence established centres of excellence report
established

Strategic Objective 1.2: 1) Conduct a baseline survey No. of baseline surveys One national baseline • Baseline survey report
Disseminate knowledge in 2024-2025 25,000,000.00 MoA,
for agricultural mechanisation conducted survey • Annual and quarterly
agricultural mechanisation report MoFNP,
along the value chain - status
among the actors involved Zamstats, SZI
and demand.
in the agricultural value
chain. 2) Establish and maintain a No of National agricultural One National agricultural • Reports (quarterly and 2024-2027 15,000,000.00 MoA,
National Agricultural mechanisation data banks mechanisation data bank annual) Zamstats, SZI
Mechanisation Data bank. established and maintained
3) Formulate an agricultural No. of agricultural At least one agricultural • Agricultural mechanisa- 2024-2025 20,000,000.00 MoA, CPs,
mechanisation extension mechanisation extension mechanisation extension tion-on extension manual Private sector
manual to guide the effective manuals developed manual • Quarterly and annual
delivery of agricultural reports
mechanisation extension
messages and services
4) promote climate smart and No. of climate smart agricultur- At least 3 climate smart Quarterly and annual 2024-2027 100,000,000.00 MoA, MoFL
environmentally friendly al mechanisation production agricultural mechanisation reports
agricultural mechanisation technologies promoted. production technologies
production and processing No. of climate smart agricultur- promoted.
technologies along the value al mechanisation processing At least 3 climate smart
chain. technologies promoted. agriculture processing
No. of climate smart agricultur- technologies promoted.
al mechanisation production At least one demonstration
technologies demonstrations per block per year
conducted. At least one demonstration
No of demonstrations per block per year
conducted climate smart
processing technologies
5) Enhance the technical No. of Mechanisation staff At least 300 mechanisation • Positions in the
capacity for agricultural employed 2024-2026 400,000,000.00 4MoA, MoFNP,
staff employed establishment - filled
mechanisation extension CPs, Private sector
services.
No. of mechanisation and At least 2000 • Training reports

extension staff trained mechanisation and
extension staff trained
No. of mechanisation and All staff • Transport facility

extension staff provided with procured
mobility facilities

6) Develop the capacity of No. of extension messages/ One manual/booklet of • Annual and quarterly MoA, CPs, Private
2024-2027 10,000,000.00
smallholder farmers to adopt materials developed and guidelines in Mechanisation reports Sector
good agricultural mechanisa- disseminated. Extension services • Training reports
tion practices such as No of trainings and demonstra- At least one manual of generic
stumping of trees to facilitate tions in good mechanisation mechanisation extension
the efficient use of agricultur- practices conducted technical messages
al machinery and equipment. At least one Training/demon-
stration manual on good
mechanisation practices.
Pamphlets, Fliers, Posters in
good mechanisation practices
7) Build capacity of rural No of training manuals in the At least one manual in the • Annual and quarterly 2024-2025 10,000,000.00 MoA, CPs,
artisans, mechanics and service design of agricultural design of agricultural reports Private Sector
providers in the design, machinery, tools and equipment machinery, tools and • Training reports
maintenance and repair of No of training manuals in the equipment
agricultural machinery, maintenance of agricultural At least one manual in the
equipment and tools. machinery, tools and equipment maintenance of agricultural
machinery, tools and
equipment
No. of rural artisans and At least 20 rural artisans

mechanics trained. trained in the design of
No of service providers trained agricultural machinery, tools
and equipment.
At least 116 rural artisans and
mechanics trained in the
maintenance of agricultural
machinery, tools and
equipment.
At least 116 mechanisation
service providers trained in the
maintenance of agricultural
8) Conduct sensitization for Concept note/ guidelines for At least one concept • Annual and 2024-2028 350,000,000.00 MoA, CPs, Private
stakeholders to nurture facilitating the sensitisation note/guidelines to guide the quarterly reports Sector
opportunities in small and workshops/ meetings. facilitation of sensitisation • Sensitisation reports
medium-scale agro meetings.
processing along the value No of sensitisation workshops/ At least one meeting per
chain. meetings district.
At least 20 participants per
No of participants reached meeting per district

9) Build capacity of primary Concept note/guidelines for At least one concept • Annual and quarterly 2024-2028 MoA, MCTI,
350,000,000.00
agro processing and service building capacity of primary note/guidelines to guide the reports MSMED, CPs,
providers along the value agro processing and service capacity building • Capacity building Private sector
chain. providers sessions/workshops/ meetings. reports
No of capacity building At least one capacity building
workshops/meetings session/workshop/ meeting per
No of participants reached district
At least 20 participants per
meeting per district
10) Facilitate the establishment No National Agricultural One National agricultural • Annual returns to
2024-2025 1,000,000.00 MoA, Farmer
of a National Agricultural Mechanisation Associations Mechanisation Association registrar of societies
Organisations,
Mechanisation Association to formed and registered. formed and registered. •Annual General
Private sector
serve as a platform for No of draft constitution for the Constitution of the Association meeting minutes
information sharing among Association ratified. • Quarterly and annual
service providers. No of national inaugural Representative leadership of the report
meetings convened to develop association democratically
mechanisms/ platform for selected
coordination, information Information management and
management and sharing. sharing mechanisms/ platform
defined agricultural machinery,
tools and equipment.
11) Enhance budgetary funding Lobby for the recognition of the One budget line (DoA/Agric • Yellow book 2024-2026 1,000.000.00 MoA, MoFNP
for agricultural mechanisation Agricultural Mechanisation Mech Section) • Annual Financial
extension services. Section in the official mandate Returns
of the Ministry of Agriculture • Annual report
Lobby for the creation of a

dedicated budget line for
Agricultural mechanisation
extension services
Objective 1.3: 1) Strengthen the capacity of No of Curricular revised Five curricular revised • Curricular revision
reports 2024-2028 100,000,000.00 MoA, MoE
To strengthen the national universities and agricultural periodically periodically (UNZA, MU,
education and training colleges to offer relevant NRDC, ZCA Monze, ZCA • Revised curricular
system in agricultural training in agricultural Mpika)
mechanisation. mechanisation and related
•Staff returns.
disciplines. No. of Appropriate 50 Staff recruited. •Staff refresher course
mechanisation training staff All mechanisation training reports
recruited and regularly updated staff attend at least one •Quarterly and Annual
refresher course per year reports

2) Strengthen the capacity of No of training curricular Five curricular revised • Annual and quarterly 2024-2028 100,000,000.00 MoA, MoE
TEVETA colleges to offer revised periodically periodically (UNZA, MU, reports
relevant vocational training to NRDC, ZCA Monze, ZCA • Capacity building
the youth in agriculture. Mpika) reports
No. of Appropriate mechani- 50 Staff recruited. • Staff returns.

sation training staff recruited All mechanisation training • Staff refresher course
and regularly updated staff attend at least one reports
refresher course per year • Quarterly and Annual
reports
2) Strengthen the capacity of No of training curricular At least one curricular revised At least one curricular 2024-2028 5,000,000.00 MoA, MoTS
TEVETA colleges to offer revised periodically per selected TEVET Institution revised per selected
relevant vocational training to TEVET Institution
the youth in agriculture.
No. of Appropriate Staff recruited Staff returns.

mechanisation training staff Staff refresher course
recruited and regularly reports
updated Quarterly and Annual
reports
3) Strengthen the agricultural No of Up-to-date mechanisation All mechanisation departments Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 250,000.000.00 MoA, MoE
mechanisation departments of training aids and facilities at universities and colleges reports
universities and colleges by acquired acquire up to date mechanisa-
improving training facilities tion training aids and facilities
and teaching aids.
4) Provide courses in No of entrepreneurship and At least one full course in • Quarterly and annual 2024-2028 10,000,000.00 MoA, MoE.
entrepreneurship to enhance business management entrepreneurship and business reports MSMED, MCTI,
business management skills training courses undertaken management provided by each Private Sector
and innovation among No of mechanisation university and college.
students in agricultural business incubation At least one mechanisation
mechanisation along the programmes facilitated. business incubation
value chain.value chain. programme facilitated per
university and college
No. of Refresher training At least three courses • Training modules 2024-2028 15,000,000.00 MoA, Private
5) Develop and undertake courses developed • Training reports Sector
annual refresher training • Quarterly and annual
programmes on the use and No. of Refresher training Three courses delivered reports
management of machinery and courses undertaken
equipment including emerging
technological innovations. No. of Staff receiving 100 staff trained
refresher training

6) Partner with TEVETA, No. of training courses At least 3 short courses • Training modules 2024-2028 10,000,000.00 MoA, MoE,
private sector and other provided. provided by each TEVET • Training reports MCTI, MSME,
stakeholders to support No. of training programmes institution. • Quarterly and annual MLGRD,
vocational training sponsored. At least two training reports Private Sector
institutions to offer formal No. of youths trained. programmes sponsored per
and informal short courses to No of farmers trained TEVET institution.
the youth farmers in artisanal At least 60 youth farmers
and agricultural mechanisa- trained per TEVET institution.
tion related subjects. At least 100 farmers trained
per TEVET Institution
THEMATIC AREA 2: TO ENHANCE DEMAND FOR AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION SERVICES OF SMALL HOLDER FARMERS, WOMEN AND YOUTH
Targets Cost
Strategic Objective Strategic Interventions Performance/Output Means of Estimates Responsible
Indicators Verifications Timeline
(ZMK) Institutions
Strategic Objective 2.1. 1.Promote environmentally No. of service providers At least one service • Quarterly and
Promote access to small friendly land development undertaking environmentally 2024-2028 100,000.000.00 MoA,
provider per district annual reports Private sector
holder land development services. land development friendly At least 3 key messages
services. services. At least one awareness
No. of environmentally campaign per agricultural
friendly land development camp per year.
messages developed. At least one land
No. of awareness campaigns development practice
on environmentally friendly demonstration per block
land development conduct-
ed.
No. of land development
demonstrations conducted
1.Develop and promote No. of customised and No. of customised and • Quarterly and annual 2024-2028 20,000,000.0 MoA, MoFNP,
customised, affordable and innovative mechanisation innovative mechanisation reports MCTI, MSMED,
innovative land development land development products land development products • Quarterly and annual MLGRD,
services financing products and packages develop. and packages develop. reports Private Sector
and packages for smallholder No. of customised and No. of customised and
farmers, women and youth. innovative land development innovative land develop-
financing products and ment financing products
packages promoted. and packages promoted.-
No. of smallholder farmers, No. of smallholder
women and youth, access/ac- farmers, women and
quire innovative financing youth, access/acquire
products and packages. innovative financing
products and packages.

No. of beneficiary smallholder At list five beneficiaries per
farmers, women and youth agricultural camp (one for
using land development each beneficiary category viz
machinery and equipment small-scale farmer, woman
acquired. and youth farmer cooperatives
and associations) accessing/ac-
quiring innovative financing
All beneficiaries per
agricultural camp using
machinery and equipment
acquired.
3. Develop business models for No. of appropriate business At least 3 business models • Business model 2024-2028 10,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
small holder land development models developed to enhance developed (one per farmer reports MCTI, MSMED,
services. access to land development category) • Quarterly and annual MLGRD,
services for small holder At least 3 business models reports Private Sector
farmers, women and youth. promoted (one per farmer
No. of appropriate business category)
models promoted to enhance At least 30% of small holder
access to agricultural farmers, women and youth
mechanisation services for providing land development
small holder farmers, women services.
and youth. At least 50% of small holder
No. small holder farmers, farmers, women and youth
women and youth providing accessing land development
land development services. services
No of small holder farmers,
women and youth accessing
land development services.
No. of Agricultural Mechanisa- Agricultural mechanisation • Fund management and 2024-2028 1,000,000,000 MoA, MoFNP,
Strategic Objective 2.2: 1) Establish an Agricultural
tion Funds established. Fund established. disbursement reports MCTI
Promote financial products/- Mechanisation Fund to
No. and type of concessionary At least two concessionary • Quarterly and Annual , MSMED
mechanisms to enhance small provide concessionary loans
financing products. financing products developed reports
holder farmers acquisition of and matching grants to
No. and type of matching (one for each beneficiary
agricultural machinery and smallholder farmers, women
grant products. category viz small-scale
equipment. and youth, farmer organisa-
No. of smallholder farmers, farmer, woman and youth,
tions.
women and youth farmers, farmers cooperatives and
organisations accessing the fund associations)
At least two matching grant
models developed.
At least 5 farmers from each
camp acquire mechanisation
equipment through the fund
(one for each beneficiary
category viz small-scale
farmer, woman and youth
farmer cooperatives and
associations)

2) Develop and promote No. of customised and At least five mechanisation Quarterly and annual 2024-2028 20,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
customised, affordable and innovative mechanisation financing products and reports MCTI, MSMED,
innovative financing products financing products and packages developed (one for MLGRD
and packages in agricultural packages develop. each beneficiary category (viz Private Sector
mechanisation for smallholder No. of customised and small-scale farmer, woman
farmers, women and youth, innovative mechanisation and youth, farmer cooperatives
farmer organisations. financing products and and associations)
packages promoted. At least five mechanisation
No. of smallholder farmers, financing products and
women and youth, farmers packages promoted (one for
Cooperatives and Associations each beneficiary category viz
accessing/acquiring innovative small-scale farmer, woman
financing products and and youth farmer cooperatives
packages and associations)
No. of beneficiary smallholder At list five beneficiaries per
farmers, women and youth agricultural camp (one for
using mechanisation machinery each beneficiary category viz
and equipment acquired. small-scale farmer, woman
and youth farmer cooperatives
and associations) accessing/ac-
quiring innovative financing
Beneficiaries per agricultural
camp using machinery and
equipment acquired.
3) Develop and promote No. of appropriate business At least 5 business models • Business model reports 2024-2028 25,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
appropriate business models to models developed to enhance developed (one per farmer • Quarterly and annual MCTI, MSMED,
enhance access to agricultural access to agricultural category) reports MLGRD,
mechanisation services for mechanisation services for At least 5 business models Private Sector
small holder farmers, women small holder farmers, women promoted (one per farmer
and youth. and youth. category)
No. of appropriate business At least 30% of small holder
models promoted to enhance farmers, women and youth
access to agricultural providing mechanisation
mechanisation services for services.
small holder farmers, women At least 50% of small holder
and youth. farmers, women and youth
No. small holder farmers, accessing mechanisation
women and youth providing
mechanisation services.
No. of small holder farmers,
women and youth accessing
mechanisation

4) Promote the establishment No. of mechanisation service At least 116 mechanisation • Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 25,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
of private sector led Agricul- centres established. service centres established reports MCTI, MSMED,
tural Mechanisation Service No. of mechanisation service (one per agricultural camp) Private Sector
Centres. centre business models At least two business models
promoted. promoted.
No of smallholder farmers, At least 50% of women and
women and youth accessing the youth farmers access
mechanisation services mechanisation services
5) Promote the development of No of public-private At least one national • Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 10,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
public-private partnerships to partnerships developed partnership reports MCTI, MSMED,
foster the spread of business At least one provincial Private Sector
models that improve the partnership
provision of hire services. At least one district
partnership
6) Promote agro value chains No. of agro value chains At least two key value chains • Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 20,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
with viable potential for promoted promoted per district reports MCTI, MSMED,
market uptake and value MLGRD,
addition. Private Sector
7) Enhance access to and use No. of post-harvest and agro At least one improved • Demonstration reports MoA, CPs,
2024-2025 20,000,000.00
of improved post-harvest and processing demonstrations post-harvest and agro- • Quarterly and annual Private Sector
agro processing technologies conducted. processing demonstration reports
and services. No. of mechanisation service conducted per camp.
providers providing post-harvest At least one mechanisation
and processing services service provider providing
No. of smallholder farmers, improved post-harvest and
women and youth accessing processing services per camp.
post-harvest and processing At least 50% of smallholder
services farmers, women and youth
No. of smallholder farmers, accessing improved post-
women and youth using harvest and processing services.
improved post-harvest and At least 50% of smallholder
processing services farmers, women and youth
using improved post-harvest
and processing services

1) Develop and promote No. of customised and At least 3 customised and • Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 20,000,000.00 MoA, CPs,
Strategic Objective 2.3:
customised, affordable and innovative financing products innovative financing products reports Private sector
To promote the use of
innovative financing products and packages developed. and packages developed.
Agricultural machinery and
and packages in agricultural No. of women and youth At least 50% of women and
equipment among women and
mechanisation for women and smallholder farmers accessing youth access customised and
youth smallholder farmers.
youth. the innovative financing innovative financing products
products and packages and packages
No. of promotional campaigns At least one promotional
undertaken campaign per camp per year.
2) In collaboration with No. of financial institutions At least 50% of key financial • Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 10,000,000.00 MoA,
financial institutions develop offering women and youth institutions develop and offer reports MoFNP, MCTI,
youth and women smallholder friendly financial products women and youth friendly CPs, Private sector
farmer friendly financial No. of women and youth financial products.
products to enhance access to friendly financial products At least 50% of women and
and use of agricultural developed. youth farmers acquire
machinery and equipment No. of women and youth mechanisation machinery and
farmers acquiring mechanisa- equipment.
tion machinery and equipment At least 75% of women and
No. of women and youth youth f armers use mechanisa-
farmers using mechanisation tion acquired machinery and
machinery and equipmen equipment machinery and
equipment
3) Support and facilitate the No. of appropriate agricultural At least 30% of women and • Quarterly/ Annual 2024-2028 25,000,000.00 MoA, MFL,
use of appropriate agricultural machinery and equipment youths adopt and use appropri- reports. OVP, MoYS,
machinery and equipment by adopted and used by women and ate agricultural machinery and MSMED
the women and youth. the youth equipment
Percentage of women and the At least 50 % of women and

youth farmers having access to youth farmers accessing
appropriate mechanisation appropriate mechanisation
technologies. technologies
69 National Agriculture Mechanisation - Strategy 2024 to 2028

4) Develop capacity of women No. of capacity trainings in At least one training per • Quarterly/ Annual 2024-2028 25,000,000.00 MoA, CPs,
and youth smallholder farmers agricultural mechanisation Agricultural Camp reports. Private sector
in agricultural mechanisation. undertaken.
Percentage of women and the At least 50 % of women and

youth farmers having access to youth farmers accessing
appropriate mechanisation appropriate mechanisation
2) In collaboration with No. of financial institutions At least 50% of key financial • Quarterly and Annual 2024-2028 10,000,000.00 MoA,
financial institutions develop offering women and youth institutions develop and offer reports MoFNP, MCTI,
youth and women smallholder friendly financial products women and youth friendly CPs, Private sector
farmer friendly financial No. of women and youth financial products.
products to enhance access to friendly financial products At least 50% of women and
and use of agricultural developed. youth farmers acquire
machinery and equipment No. of women and youth mechanisation machinery and
farmers acquiring mechanisa- equipment.
tion machinery and equipment At least 75% of women and
No. of women and youth youth f armers use mechanisa-
farmers using mechanisation tion acquired machinery and
machinery and equipmen equipment machinery and
equipment
3) Support and facilitate the No. of appropriate agricultural At least 30% of women and • Quarterly/ Annual 2024-2028 25,000,000.00 MoA, MFL,
use of appropriate agricultural machinery and equipment youths adopt and use reports. OVP, MoYS,
machinery and equipment by adopted and used by women and appropriate agricultural MSMED, MoTS
the women and youth. the youth machinery and equipment
Percentage of women and At least 50 % of women and

the youth farmers having access youth farmers accessing
to appropriate mechanisation appropriate mechanisation
5) Develop ICT packages for No. of ICT packages At least one ICT package in Quarterly/ Annual MoA, MoTS,
promotion of Agricultural Developed. Reports 2024-2028 10,000,000.00
agricultural mechanisation SZI
Mechanisation among the
women and youth smallholder
farmers.
No. of smallholder farmers At least 50% of smallholder

utilizing ICT in agricultural farmers
mechanisation
70 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to2028

THEMATIC AREA 3. STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION SUPPLY CHAIN
Cost Responsible
Strategic Interventions Performance/Output Targets Means of Timeline
Strategic Objective Verifications
Estimates Institutions
Indicators (ZMW)
Strategic Objective 3.1: 1) Provide incentives to attract No. of incentives provided. At least one set of incentives • ZDA investment 2024-2028 1,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
To strengthen the local local and foreign investment in No of local and foreign At least 10 local and foreign reports MCTI
manufacture and importation of manufacturing agricultural investments attracted investments attracted • Quarterly and
agricultural machinery and machinery, equipment and annual reports
equipment by the private sector. spare parts.
2) Provide incentives for investors No. of investors and SMEs At least 4 investor SMEs access • Reports (quarterly 2024-2028 1,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
and SMEs in the manufacture and accessing start up incentives startup incentives and annual) MCTI
distribution of agricultural to manufacture and distribute At least 4 beneficiary investor
machinery and equipment. agricultural machinery and SMEs manufacture and
equipment. distribute mechanisation
No. of investors and SMEs machinery and equipment
starting to manufacture and
distribute agricultural machinery
and equipment
3) Develop and implement training No. training programmes At least two programmes • Reports (quarterly 2024-2028 20,000,000.00 MoA, MCTI,
programmes for continuous developed and implemented developed. and annual) MoFNP
improvement local manufacturers. for continuous improvement At least 4 local manufacturers
targeting local manufacturers trained.
4) Facilitate the creation of a No. of platforms for information One national platform created • Reports (quarterly 2024-2025 1,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
platform for information exchange exchange for private sector and supported and annual)
for private sector manufacturers of manufacturers of agricultural
agricultural machinery and machinery and equipment
equipment. created
5) Provide incentives to catalyse No. of incentives provided. At least 3 incentives • Reports (quarterly 2024-2028 1,000,000.00 MoA, MoFNP,
importation, distribution and No. of beneficiary private At least 5 private sector and annual) MCTI, ZDA
maintenance of appropriate sector engaged investors engaged and
agricultural machinery and operational
1) Develop national standards, No. of National standards, Set of Standards Developed. • Copies of national 2024-2028 5,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
Strategic Objective 3.2:
To develop a regulatory testing procedures and certification testing procedures and Guidelines for certification of standards and
framework for quality mechanisms for agricultural certification mechanisms for agricultural machinery and guidelines
assurance of agricultural machinery and equipment. agricultural machinery and equipment developed documents.
machinery, equipment and tools equipment • Reports (quarterly
and annual)
machinery and
equipment developed

2) Establish a National No. of National Agricultural 01 national agricultural Reports (quarterly and 2024-2026 100,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
Agricultural Mechanisation Mechanisation Testing Centres Mechanisation testing centre annual)
Testing Centre. established
3) Promote adaptation and No. of reengineered prototypes At least 5 prototypes Reports (quarterly and 2024-2028 25,000,000.00 MoA, MoE
re-engineering of agricultural of Agricultural machinery and reengineered. annual)
machinery and equipment equipment
prototypes that meet Zambian
standards.
4) Disseminate national No. of dissemination sessions At least one dissemination Reports (quarterly and
standards, testing and 2024-2028 5,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
conducted workshop for manufacturers annual)
certification procedures/ conducted per quarter
mechanisms for agricultural
machinery and equipment
5) Strengthen the capacity for No. of technical staff trained At least 20 Technical staff • Reports (quarterly and 2026-2028 5,000,000.000 5,000,000.000
testing and evaluation of in testing and evaluation of trained in testing and annual)
agricultural machinery, agriculture machinery and evaluation of agricultural
equipment and tools. equipment. machinery and equipment.
6) Enforce standards for raw No. of mechanisation Conduct quarterly routine • Reports (quarterly and
2024-2028 5,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
materials used in the local standards enforced. compliance spot checks. annual)
manufacture of agricultural
machinery, equipment and
tools.
7) Enforce agricultural No. of standards for At least one ICT package in • Reports (quarterly and 2024-2028 5,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
machinery, equipment and agricultural machinery agricultural mechanisation annual) ZRA
tools standards at points of and equipment at points
entry. of entry enforced
At least 80% of the serviced • Monthly routine

8) Enforce the provision of % of clients accessing 2024-2028 5,000,000.00 MoA, ZABS,
client’s access after sale monitoring reports
after sales services and other after sale services from MCTI
services from manufacturers • Reports (quarterly and
related services for agricultural manufacturers and
and distributors annual)
machinery and equipment by distributors
Quarterly after sales services
manufactures and distributors No. of after sales services
enforcements visits undertaken
enforcement visits.
to manufacturers and
No. of routine compliance
distributors.
after sales services
Monthly routine compliance
monitoring visit
monitoring visits for after sales
services undertaken to
manufacturers and distributors

C 2023
Ministry of Agriculture
Mulungushi House,
Independence Avenue
P o Box 50197 Lusaka, Zambia
Email: infor@agriculture.gov.zm
Phone number: +260211 254 645
www.agriculture.gov.zm
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
2024 - 2028

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NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL

Sustainable agricultural mechanisation development is an urgent, important, expensive and long-term

As we embark on the implementation of the national agricultural mechanisation strategy, we must

Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, MP

Yvonne Mpundu Green Mbozi,

1.3.3 Overall Objective

1.4 Theory of Change

1.5 Thematic Areas, Strategic Objectives and Interventions

The three thematic areas and strategic Objectives are as follows:

1.6 Institutional Framework

1.7 Monitoring and Evaluation

1.9 Communication Plan

PART I. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION IN ZAMBIA............. 05

Chapter 2. Analysis of agricultural production systems: demand for agricultural mechanisation............................. 06

Chapter 5. Strategic Framework and Objectives................................................................................................................. 45

SNAP Second National Agricultural Policy

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028 01

1.2 Country profile

Zambia is a landlocked country, surrounded by eight countries namely: the Democratic

02 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028

1.3 Role of the Agricultural Sector

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028 03

The situational analysis covered the following themes:

agricultural production systems.

04 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028 1505

2.1.1. Main Agro-ecological Regions

Figure 1. Main Agro-Ecological Regions of Zambia

Source: Soil Survey, Mt. Makulu

06 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028

Region Average Elevation Growing Risk of Occurrence Minimum

Source: adopted from Saasa (2003)

Agro-Ecological Region I (AER I)

Agro-Ecological Region II (AER II)

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028 07

Agro-Ecological Region III

2.1.2. Types of Farmers in Zambia.

Small scale farmers

08 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028

Large Scale Farmers

2.1.3. Major Farming Systems in Zambia

Shifting Cultivation (Chitemene System)

Semi-Permanent Hoe System

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028 09

Semi- Commercial Farming System

Commercial Farming System

2.1.4. Cropping Calendar

10 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to2028

Figure 2. National cropping calendar for different crops

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy - 2024 to 2028 11

2.2.3. Crop Sub-sector

2.2.4. Livestock Sub-sector

2.3. Profitability of Selected Agricultural Enterprises

12 National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028

Figure 3. Gross Margins per Crop by Farmer Category (ZMW/Hectare)

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, 2019/2020 farming season

2.4. Use of Agricultural Mechanisation among Smallholder Farmers

2.4.1. Mechanisation in Crop Production Systems

National Agriculture Mechanisation Strategy -2024 to 2028 13