Projects and Flagship Initiatives in Zambia
From championing climate-resilient seed systems, fortifying systemic resilience against climate variability, empowering women through bean production and advancing green innovations in agriculture, the Alliance's projects and flagship initiatives cover a broad range of thematic areas essential for Zambia's agricultural development.
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Resilient Seed Systems for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Livelihoods
Farmers in Zambia face significant climate challenges, with existing seed systems failing to meet their needs and limited access to locally adapted varieties. To bridge this gap, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, supported by the Dutch government, is leading a project to improve access to high-quality seeds. This initiative aims to provide diverse crop varieties affordably and on time to millions of farmers—both women and men—across Zambia and East Africa. By scaling up successful strategies, tools, and methods, the project seeks to build resilient seed systems that empower communities, enhance climate adaptation, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The groundnut value chain from farm to market in Zambia. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
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CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience
The CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience, known as ClimBeR, focuses on strengthening the climate adaptation capacity of food and agricultural systems in low- and middle-income countries. In Zambia, it tackles the root causes of climate vulnerability by working closely with farmers and stakeholders. Through targeted tools and strategies, the initiative empowers communities to build resilience to climate shocks, fostering sustainable and equitable futures.
Solar-powered irrigation transforming agriculture in Zambia. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Improving incomes and nutrition security through development
and commercialization of consumer preferred processed legume-based products in Zambia and Malawi
Most agro-processing in African countries is driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but many face challenges such as limited access to quality raw materials, market information, appropriate technologies, and food safety knowledge. This project aims to support SMEs in Zambia and Malawi by providing market insights on value-added bean-based products and testing their commercialization potential. Key activities include a rapid market assessment, evaluation of legume-based products and technologies, consumer preference analysis, and optimization of product formulations. Additionally, the project will develop industry protocols for shelf-stable legume products, review relevant policies, and share findings with stakeholders upon completion.
A ground nut processor harnessing innovative techniques to enhance its quality and marketability. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Beans For Women For Empowerment (BEANS4WOMEN)
Beans4Women strengthens gender equality, decision-making, and resource rights for women and girls in the bean sector across Zambia and three conflict-prone provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika). The project promotes food security by enhancing bean value chains, increasing women’s incomes, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Key activities include promoting gender equity in the bean economy, scaling women-led enterprises, improving agricultural productivity through knowledge sharing, and fostering climate resilience by accelerating the adoption of climate-smart technologies among women producers.
Zambian woman farmer proudly showcasing her beans at the local market. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Strengthening local markets in Zambia for sustainable development.
Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Training farmers in model gardening and providing climate-smart inputs in Zambia.
Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Co-developing apps with farmers for improved access to climate information services in Zambia.
Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
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A Zambian farmer showcasing improved maize yields, supported by initiatives like the CIMMYT-USAID's Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AIDI), driving climate-resilient agriculture.
Green Innovation Centres for the agriculture and food sector
In Zambia, the project aims to boost smallholder farmers' income, enhance food security, and create jobs, particularly for women and youth. The initiative provides training, advisory services, and technical innovations to improve productivity, income, and climate resilience in agriculture. By fostering local food processing, it ensures more value stays within rural communities. The project collaborates with over 150 partners globally and locally, including civil society, producer associations, and research institutions, promoting sustainable agricultural development.
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Advancing sustainable farming through Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Zambia. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I)
The Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), funded by USAID, supports farmers in Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania by mitigating the impact of high fuel and fertilizer prices. This two-year effort connects up to three million smallholder farmers with tools, information, and financial services to navigate input disruptions. In Zambia, the hub promotes soil health, fertilizer management, local seed systems, and sustainable agronomic practices for cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fodder. It also strengthens rural-urban linkages to enhance value chains and national capacity for sustainable agricultural development.
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Farmer-focused radio program empowering agricultural communities with climate resilience and food security insights. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective
Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA)
Led by the Alliance, AICCRA operates in six countries—Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia—collaborating with national, regional, and continental partners to enhance access to climate information services and promote CGIAR's climate-smart agriculture innovations for smallholder farmers. Since 2021, AICCRA has reached seven million people, helping farmers adapt to climate challenges. Building on this success, the World Bank has committed an additional USD 100 million to support AICCRA’s efforts in the coming years.
Agricultural diversity in Zambia. Credit: Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) / Kelvin Trautman, KANDS Collective.
CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa
The CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, known as Ukama Ustawi, aims to improve food and nutrition security in Zambia by reducing reliance on maize through a climate-resilient and socially inclusive approach. The initiative's name, derived from Shona and Swahili—meaning partnerships and well-being—reflects its vision of fostering collaborative development. By promoting innovative partnerships and diversifying agricultural systems, Ukama Ustawi seeks to enhance resilience and ensure sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Zambia.