Lusaka provincial administration claims over K90 million disbursed to farmers under SAFF initiative

The Lusaka Provincial Administration has reportedly disbursed over K90 million to farmers in the province under the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), with a total of 686 loans issued as of July 4, 2025.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Lusaka Province Principal Public Relations Officer, Logic Lukwanda, the disbursement forms part of the government’s broader effort to support small and medium-scale farmers with access to affordable credit.

Lukwanda said Chilanga District recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 196 farmers accessing K24,621,150, followed by Chongwe where 232 farmers accessed K42,733,715.

He added that Kafue District saw 105 farmers receive loans amounting to K9,404,936, while in Lusaka District, 104 farmers were granted a total of K8,380,832.

In Rufunsa, 43 farmers received K5,643,677 and Luangwa had six farmers benefiting from a total of K160,000.

“SAFF is a market-based initiative for tailor-made financing to the agriculture sector, especially for small and medium-scale farmers who more often than not have limited access to affordable financing,” Lukwanda said.

The programme was introduced in the 2023/2024 farming season and is being implemented across all ten provinces.

At its launch, President Hakainde Hichilema described SAFF as a vital tool to open a credit window for citizens, enabling access to agricultural loans that would drive productivity and national food security.

Lukwanda said the government was committed to ensuring that such initiatives produced the intended results, including strengthened food security, increased rural employment, and broader economic growth.

He emphasised that SAFF was not just a financial instrument but a strategic tool to empower farmers and enhance the role of agriculture in Zambia’s development.

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