€11 million in EU-funding to help over 300 000 small-scale farmers increase production

18 June 2013, Lusaka/Rome - The European Union (EU), FAO and the Government of Zambia launched a four-year, €11 million programme to increase crop production and productivity of over 300 000 small-scale farmers by promoting practices based on conservation agriculture.

Vienna, Austria, June 17, 2013. The Governing Board of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), meeting in its 143rd Session on June 13, has approved 17 loans and grants totaling over US$234 million to boost socio-economic development in over 44 partner countries. The majority of the public sector funding will co-finance transportation, energy and water supply and sanitation projects.

The approved public sector loans are as follows:

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Even as the flood season draws to a close, poor distribution of rainfall in most countries may result in below average rainfall-related crop performance this season.

Five years ago, life was a struggle for Harriet Kalaula who had lost her husband. She could not afford to properly feed her children and send them to school. However, her situation began to change in 2008 when she joined the Social Empowerment of Marginalised Rural Communities in Southern Province Zambia (SEESZ) project.

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One of the biggest challenges that small scale farmers face is irrigation. The traditional method of carrying buckets from the water point to the garden is a laborious task no matter how physically strong you are. This often discourages farmers from having bigger gardens and in turn they produce less and have less disposable income.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT

• Maize production in 2013 forecast at an above average 2.6 million tonnes

• Maize supplies sufficient for domestic requirements in the 2013/14 marketing year, but exportable surplus expected to decrease

• Food security situation remains favourable

DCA has launched a new EU-funded project, which will improve rural livelihood for around 5200 beneficiaries by securing land tenure in Southern Zambia.

The European Union (EU) has pledged to continue supporting health, education, sustainable livelihood, corporate social responsibility and water and sanitation projects in Zambia.

Speaking at the EU's ‘ceremonial’ signing of the award grants to non state and state actors, Head of EU Delegation in Zambia, Gilles Hervio, said he was happy with the geography and thematic diversity of the selected projects.