A new initiative, the “Enhancing Livelihoods and Smallholder Agricultural Markets” (ELSAM) project, is set to transform the landscape for Zambia’s smallholder farmers. Funded by the European Union and implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Zambian government, ELSAM aims to foster sustainable, resilient, and nutrition-sensitive agricultural value chains.
The project directly addresses the pressing challenges facing Zambia’s agricultural sector, including food insecurity, low productivity, and the increasing impact of climate change. By promoting environmentally friendly and climate-resilient practices, ELSAM aligns with the EU Green Nexus Programme, which prioritizes the sustainable management of agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water, and climate.
ELSAM’s objectives are comprehensive and ambitious. The project aims to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, by improving their access to financial services, promoting technological advancements, and enhancing market access. Crucially, it emphasizes gender-transformative and green-enabling approaches, ensuring inclusivity and environmental sustainability.
“This is how we translate the objectives of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy into concrete activities in Zambia,” a spokesperson for the project stated.
The project’s expected results are equally significant. ELSAM aims to achieve widespread adoption of climate-resilient agroecological practices, enhance market participation through diversified value chains, and promote financial inclusion. These efforts are expected to contribute directly to Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan and the Second National Agricultural Policy.
ELSAM adopts a holistic strategy, focusing on several key areas. Promoting climate-resilient practices ensures long-term viability while encouraging participation in diversified value chains enhances economic opportunities. Financial inclusion, especially for women and youth, is a core focus, integrating them into viable markets.
The project also facilitates engagement in agribusiness activities and supports a green energy transition. By promoting sustainable practices and reducing CO2 emissions by 40,000 tons annually, ELSAM contributes to climate change mitigation and generates potential carbon credits.
“ELSAM adopts a holistic approach to support Zambia’s smallholder farmers, enhancing agricultural productivity and market access while fostering sustainable growth and resilience against future challenges,” a project representative explained.
Ultimately, ELSAM seeks to empower farmers with digital solutions, sustainable practices, and connections to financial services, aiming for substantial efficiency improvements and robust economic resilience. This initiative represents a significant step towards building a more sustainable and prosperous future for Zambia’s agricultural sector and its smallholder farmers.
