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The Zambian government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling low productivity among smallholder farmers, a challenge officials say continues to constrain the agriculture sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo, said the government was concerned that productivity levels among smallholders remained low despite substantial public investment over the years.
Mtolo made the remarks during bilateral talks with the government of Vietnam aimed at strengthening cooperation in agriculture and improving knowledge exchange on policy and practical approaches for sector transformation.
The meeting in Vietnam brought together Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, Mtolo, and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung.
The Zambian delegation, led by Musokotwane, is part of a high-level study visit organised by the World Bank Group to draw lessons from Vietnam’s agricultural transformation.
Mtolo said Zambia was keen to deepen collaboration with Vietnam to raise productivity in key strategic crops, particularly among smallholders, while taking advantage of stronger market linkages.
He noted that agriculture remained the backbone of Zambia’s economy, with the majority of citizens depending on the sector for their livelihoods.
“Zambia was particularly interested in learning from Vietnam’s successful agricultural development experience in areas such as irrigation development, mechanisation, agricultural research, extension service delivery, farm block development and market coordination,” he said.
Speaking during the engagement, Musokotwane said the government had continued to channel significant public resources into agriculture as part of efforts to strengthen food security and stimulate economic growth.
He noted in a statement issued in Lusaka that although Zambia recorded a historic bumper harvest in the 2024/2025 farming season, the sector had long required robust fiscal support to sustain production and assist smallholder farmers.
“Large budgetary allocations have been directed towards programmes aimed at improving productivity, enhancing input access and strengthening agricultural value chains,” Musokotwane said.
However, he added that the output achieved relative to government expenditure remained an area requiring reflection and reform.
Musokotwane said Zambia was particularly interested in Vietnam’s experience with strong policy reforms, efficient agricultural systems and farmer-driven production models that have delivered high output with comparatively lower government spending.
“Understanding how Vietnam has successfully empowered smallholder farmers, strengthened extension services and built efficient agricultural markets would provide valuable insights for Zambia as it seeks to enhance productivity while ensuring that public resources invested in the sector deliver greater returns,” he said.
He added that Zambia hoped to draw practical lessons that could inform agricultural financing and policy reforms so that treasury investments translate into sustainable productivity growth and improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
In his remarks, Trung welcomed the delegation and said Vietnam was ready to share its experience in irrigation development, farmer organisation, climate-smart agriculture and value chain development.
“Vietnam values partnerships that promote knowledge exchange and practical collaboration aimed at improving agricultural productivity, supporting smallholder farmers, and enhancing food security,” he said.
World Bank Group Country Director, Nathan Belete, said the institution remained committed to supporting Zambia through the design of the proposed Irrigated and Sustainable Agriculture for Transformation Project.
He said the project aimed to strengthen irrigation development and extension service delivery among smallholder farmers to improve productivity and attract increased private sector investment in the sector.
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