Schweizer Agriculture has announced a strategic partnership with Absa Bank Zambia and Megasave Supermarket
Schweizer Agriculture has announced a strategic partnership with Absa Bank Zambia and Megasave Supermarket to implement an Input Financing Scheme (IFS) that will support 5,000 hectares of soybean production for smallholder farmers across the Copperbelt Province. Speaking during an engagement with farmers in Mpongwe, Executive Director Dr. Joas Chihangu highlighted that the partnership will strengthen financial inclusion, boost yields, enhance technical capacity, and promote climate-smart agriculture. The initiative is linked to the Sustainable Agricultural Financing Facility (SAFF), Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programmes, and structured markets through Megasave’s off-take system. Dr. Chihangu emphasized that the collaboration will improve farmer incomes, restore soil health, and contribute to Zambia’s broader agenda of food security and inclusive rural economic growth. He further noted that Schweizer Agriculture is committed to scaling impact and redefining the future of agriculture through strategic partnerships.
Schweizer Agriculture And Resettlement Division (RD) Under The Office Of The Vice President (OVP) Technical Working Group On Access To Finance (TWG-A2F), January 2025, Monthly Report.
The Access to Finance Technical Working Group met on Wednesday 30th/01/2025 at the Kanakatapa Resettlement scheme in Chongwe District. In attendance were 07 members representing their respective cooperatives and two officers from the Resettlement Division (RD) also joined the meeting. The following cooperatives were represented: 1. Evergreen Women Cooperative-Christine Ngoma Phiri 2. Kanakantapa women Association-Lydia Mudenda 3. Kanakantapa young Women-Elizabeth Chembe 4. Kanakantapa Health Foods-Stella Kango 5. Tuzenje multi-purpose-Robson Chipangula 6. Antioch Multi-purpose-Veronica Banda 7. Kwacha Multi-purpose-Louisa Sakala Shawa 8. Resettlement Division (RD) – Mwanchanika Msiska 9. Resettlement Division (RD) – Dick Malinda
Schweizer Agricultural- Division of Resettlement (DR)’ Technical Working Group on Infrastructure (TWG-I) Report, January, 2025
Schweizer Agriculture, through its asset and fund management unit, has anchored the Technical Working Group on Infrastructure (TWG-I) in Chongwe district. The TWG-I aims to mobilize resources to improve basic infrastructure and services for ten cooperative memberships, enabling them to increase production. Background Last year, the cooperatives faced challenges in securing funding through the public sector, such as the Resettlement Division (RD), and other private sector partners. To address this, the TWG-I is exploring alternative funding avenues, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to support local agricultural projects, particularly those involving women and youth. Key Initiatives Attachments Please find attached the January 2025 TWG-I report, which provides insight into our adaptation of available projects and funding opportunities at the local level. Additional Initiatives Separately, Schweizer Agriculture is facilitating resource mobilization with the Resettlement Division to enable its small-scale farmers to access finance through its Technical Working Group on Access to Finance (TWG-A2F).
Technical Working Group on Access to finance
Ms. Cholwe Kagoli, a renowned expert in agribusiness, is leading the charge in enhancing access to finance for agricultural cooperatives. As the head of the access to finance unit at Schweizer Agriculture Ltd, she’s spearheading the Technical Working Group on Access to finance. This group is collaborating with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to empower cooperative members in the Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme. The initiative has already borne fruit, with cooperative members receiving training on accessing financial services and creating markets for their produce. This training has enabled them to secure loans using long-term contracts as collateral. Furthermore, the Technical Working Group is developing 10 business plans for 10 cooperatives in Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme, aimed at facilitating access to finance from financial institutions. It’s worth noting that access to finance is a critical component of agricultural development. In Mali, for instance, agricultural finance is dominated by a few commercial banks and microfinance institutions However, initiatives like the one led by Ms. Kagoli are helping to increase access to finance for small-scale farmers and cooperatives.
Technical Working Group on Infrastructure (TWG-I)
Kobi Mwansa, a young farmer from Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme in Chongwe district, is making waves in the agricultural sector. As a member of the Technical Working Group on Infrastructure (TWG-I), Kobi represented his group at a meeting with provincial principal officers in the Division of Resettlement, Office of the Vice President, at Ku Park Lodge in Kafue on December 5, 2024. Kobi’s 4ha farm is a testament to his hard work and resilience. He produces poultry, vegetables like chilies, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. After witnessing the devastating effects of drought, Kobi adapted to growing winter and early maize, inspired by a visit to a 300ha farm in Kabwe. This shift has enabled him to become self-reliant and champion his cooperative, Tizenge Youth. Tizenge Youth is seeking an additional 4ha of land from the Division to increase their productivity. By aggregating their harvest, the cooperative aims to make their produce more economically viable, increase profits, and achieve success. Kobi’s story is a shining example of the potential for young farmers to drive economic growth and development in Zambia.
Annual Planning Review Meeting
We recently attended an Annual Planning Review Meeting, where we shared our reports with the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Marvis Nkomeshya, and the Resettlement Division in the Office of the Vice President. Our main focus is on implementing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support small-scale farmers in Zambia. We’re emphasizing key value chains, productivity, and climate resilience to drive growth and development. At the meeting, we presented our annual reports on the Kanakantapa Resettlement scheme, which was well-received by the provincial principal officers. The reports have since been conveyed to the District Commissioner (DC) of Chongwe and the District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) of the district. We’re also making progress after launching a 5,000ha banana project and technical working groups (TWGs) targeting five key regions in Zambia. This initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to promote climate resilience in agriculture, as outlined in the Zambia Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to Develop an Agricultural Value Chain [5). Our approach is centered around enterprise-led market development, facilitating the development and coordination of market-led value chains. By supporting small-scale farmers and promoting climate resilience, we’re contributing to the government’s vision of a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030.
Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development (PARD)
Schweizer Agriculture’s Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development (PARD) initiative is a comprehensive program that aims to support Zambian agriculture through various activities, in partnership with the government and local organizations. Six Technical Working Groups have been set up to focus on specific areas, including: The leadership and board membership of these Technical Working Groups comprise representatives from government departments, cooperative membership, local community, and local NGOs, ensuring a collaborative approach. The goal is to achieve the objectives outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zambian government, specifically in the Chongwe district.
Survey of Potential for Off Grid Stand Alone Compact Solar Systems in Zambia
Fr R to L: Mr. Joas Chihangu of Schweizer Agriculture, Mr. Mbumba of REA, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties (CABINET) of Department of Resettlement (DoR) under the Office of the President (DoR), Mr. Andrei Tokai of Next Era Energy Ltd and the Director, Mr. Cooper Chibomba of the Dept of Resettlement at CABINET after Schweizer Agriculture presented the Survey of Potential for Off Grid Stand Alone Compact Solar Systems in Zambia that was carried out by Amadla Pty Ltd and Schweizer Agriculture. The purpose of the of this survey is to establish the potential market for affordable and stand alone solar compact system in Zambia. It’s been established that indeed there is a market for solar units in the nation amidst prolonged load shedding the nation is experiencing post the drought and its thus important to consider setting up initial micro grids, solar batteries and inverters in rural areas especially the Resettlement schemes to power homes, schools, remote clinics, hospitals, safaries, game and fishing lodges, farms, mines, small business opportunities, construction sites and security ans military bases.
Credit window
The PDU is encouraging banks to lend to farmers who have no collateral or adequate securities. Schweizer has been working in the background with ABSA throughout the Covid-19 era to co-create non security requiring loans to finance inputs, mechanization and other farm assets to support farmers. ABSA will be happy to support our small scale farmers in the Resettlements given the credit guarantees that Schweizer Agriculture has put together to support cooperatives and SMEs with potential to repay the loans. This will be supported by offtake agreements, crop insurance and technical support to enable the farmers to pay back their commitments to banks and be a successful model. Most of the agribusiness loans in Zambia are failing to perform not because of lacky of markets but the failure to couple credit with management skills to ring fence such smMweall businesses from associated risks through technical support and assistance. In the picture is Mr. Henry Mwewa from Absa speaking to farmers
Lusaka Province capacity building for youth beginner farmers
One of the Kanakatanpa youth farmer (Mubanga) whom after 90 days of receiving some horticulture training in December 2023 sponsored by govt (Department of Resettlement) and Schweizer Agriculture Ltd’ team of partners has started farming horticultural crops (rape lampart) by adapting Regenerative Agricultural methods from Schweizer Agriculture and Seedco teams. Schweizer Agriculture has since awarded him with an irrigation kit worthy of $2, 000 to grow more vegetables food for his family livilihood, employment for his friends and become a blessing to his community through selling his outputs. Mubanga who thanked govt and our team made me shade tears and I was emotionally overpowered by his story and led us to assist him find more additional help to grow his business through irrigation installation unit. The unit will be delivered this winter through a partnership with Amiran Zambia on growing 5, 000ha of bananas. 5th April, 2024, Lusaka.