Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Agriculture: Lucy Musonda

Lucy Musonda’s story is a testament to a deep love for the land. Raised in a nurturing middle-class home, Lucy’s mother instilled in her a passion for cultivating the land and raising livestock. This early exposure sowed the seeds for Lucy’s future, a path that she has embraced with remarkable focus. Her academic achievements stand as a pillar of her commitment – a diploma in agricultural science with education already under her belt and a current pursuit of a bachelor’s degree demonstrating her insatiable thirst […]

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Championing Farmer-Centred Seed Systems for a Sustainable Future: Juliet Nangamba

Juliet Nangamba is a powerful voice for change in Zambia’s agricultural sector. An ecofeminist with over 12 years of experience, she brings together her expertise as a qualified agronomist and her passion for inclusive practices. Juliet’s work centres on advocating for the recognition and utilisation of indigenous knowledge and farmer-managed seed systems. These systems, she argues, are not only central to food security and nutrition but also hold immense potential for climate adaptation and mitigation. With a firm belief in empowering farmers, Juliet has become […]

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Empowering Small-Scale Farmers: Euckeria Mpande

Euckeria Mpande’s passion for Zambia’s agriculture industry has shown brightly throughout the last decade. Her unrelenting commitment to community engagement has helped numerous farmers by implementing new approaches such as participatory plant breeding and targeted marketing strategies. Euckeria defends farmers’ rights, recognising their extensive knowledge of the soil and expertise in picking the best seeds for their individual needs. This conviction drives her advocacy for farmer participation in agricultural decision-making. Euckeria is more than just an advocate; she is a farmer as well. This direct […]

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Empowering Agriculture: Emmanuel Mutamba

Emmanuel Mutamba, a prominent figure in Zambia’s agricultural landscape, has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable farming practices and advocating for farmers’ rights. As a founding member of the Green Living Movement (GLM) and former leader at the Environmental Conservation Association of Zambia (ECAZ), Emmanuel’s journey embodies a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment.  In 2010, his pivotal role in spearheading a campaign against GMOs led to the establishment of the Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB), where he served as the […]

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Sowing Seeds in Kapyanga: Chipo Chiluma

Chipo Chiluma’s agricultural education began not in a classroom, but in the fertile fields of her grandparents’ farm in Mumbwa. Raised in a rural town where farming was the lifeblood, Chipo saw firsthand the dedication and hard labour required to produce the land. Her early years were spent with her parents and grandparents, practicing traditional traditions that assured a plentiful crop. Chipo’s family farm was thriving, producing a variety of crops including maize, groundnuts, sorghum, and beans. Sweet potatoes thrived alongside the crops, and livestock […]

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Championing Sustainable Agriculture: An Interview with Austin Chilala

Austin Chilala is a dedicated advocate for sustainable agriculture in Zambia. With 27 years of experience as an agricultural extension officer at the Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre, he has championed agroecological practices in Chongwe and Rufunsa Districts. Mr. Chilala’s journey began in conventional farming, but he transitioned to organic methods when Kasisi embraced agroecology in the 1990s. His extensive experience has also given him a global perspective, allowing him to share knowledge and learn from others around the world. We sat down with the Farmers’ […]

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Advocating for Sustainable Agriculture: Annie Katongo

Annie Katongo, from Chilonga village in Shibuyunji district, central Zambia, exemplifies the essence of sustainable farming. Annie has a long history of farming, dating back to 1982, when she started in Mumbwa. She has transitioned from traditional agricultural practices to advocating for eco-friendly alternatives. Annie’s paradigm shift occurred after she became aware of the negative impacts of traditional equipment and pesticides on soil fertility.  Since 2014, she and her husband, a renowned agricultural extension worker, have practiced conservation farming and developed a thriving agroecological strategy […]

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Championing Agroecology: Annie Chikanji Nyika’s Journey

Annie Chikanji Nyika comes from a long line of Zambian farmers. Growing up in Chingola, she was immersed in the rich tradition of intercropping, where seeds were not just commodities but symbols of community exchange and resilience. Annie exemplifies the spirit of grassroots farming and sustainable agricultural practices. Her dedication to preserving traditional farming methods and advocating for farmer autonomy has made her a respectable figure in Zambia’s smallholder farmer landscape. With a degree in Community Development as well as a Certificate in Permaculture Design, […]

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PRESS RELEASE LUSAKA, 29th January 2024: ARE WE BEING FED GENETICALLY MODIFIED MAIZE?

PRESS RELEASE LUSAKA, 29th January 2024ARE WE BEING FED GENETICALLY MODIFIED MAIZE? According to the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commander, Lt. General Maliti Soloch, the answer is a resounding NO! He also urged Zambias to “trust the mealie meal labelled green, it is non-GMO…. It is high time we started having the culture of speaking the truth so that we can stand on integrity when we speak” (26thJanuary 2024). And during the weekly media engagement on the same day, Zambia’s Minister of Information and Media and […]

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