PLARD II and ZNFU partnership changing the outlook of smallholder farming in Luapula

A partnership was formalised between two Finnish-funded agricultural programmes in March 2014, with the aim of improving access to financial services among smallholder farmers. The initiative is already beginning to produce results, as the first farmer has now accessed a tractor through a loan scheme.

One of the main objectives of Finland's development cooperation in Zambia is to increase agricultural production and productivity among smallholder farmers. As part of this, a parnership was established between the Finnish-funded Programme for Luapula Agricultural and Rural Development  Phase II (PLARD II) and the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Core Support Programme.

The partnership aims to improve access to financial services among smallholder farmers in Luapula province. The initiative is progressing remarkably. It is already beginning to change the outlook of smallholder farming in the province by supporting the move from hand-hoeing to mechanisation.

First farmer acquires tractor

Mr. Maybin Mwila of Kawambwa district became the first farmer to access a tractor through the Bunjimi Asset Plus loan scheme, an in-house initiative between ZNFU and Natsave. Mr. Mwila's Tafe 75hp tractor came with a disc plough and harrow and is worth 194,249 Zambian kwachas (approx. 25,000 euros).

The tractor was handed over to Mr. Mwila on Friday 6 February 2015. The occasion was attended by Kawambwa District Administrative Officer Mr. Kasengele who commended ZNFU and Natsave for the innovative financial facility that allows farmers to procure farming machinery to expand their farming businesses.

In the coming months, more smallholder farmers are expected to access loans for various productive assets to help them increase production and exploit agro-processing opportunities in the province.

The partnership will also leverage synergies between Finnish development cooperation programmes in the agricultural sector in Zambia.