Smallholder farmers and informal traders are essential to Zambia’s food system – but they face many barriers. Discover in the video how the Food System Labs are helping build resilience, one challenge at a time.
The Food System Labs Chongwe and Lusaka in Zambia, part of the EU-funded HealthyFoodAfrica project and operated by Hivos, have worked since 2020 to improve the resilience of local food systems by supporting smallholder farmers and informal traders. The video below highlights the realities these actors face – and what’s being done to address them.
Farming under tough conditions
Farmers in Chongwe are learning sustainable and agroecological production methods, but major challenges remain. Frequent power cuts make irrigation difficult, leading to crop losses. Climate-related risks and a focus on monocultures further threaten harvests, especially in drought years. Limited storage and processing options increase post-harvest losses, with perishable crops like tomatoes often wasted.
Market barriers and transport struggles
Accessing formal markets is difficult due to packaging standards, refrigeration requirements and slow payments. At the same time, farmers face low and unpredictable prices. Middlemen benefit most from this situation, often buying produce cheaply and reselling it at higher prices. Poor road infrastructure and unreliable transport make it even harder for farmers to reach markets with fresh produce.
Financing challenges in the informal sector
Access to finance remains a major barrier. Many farmers and traders lack the documentation, collateral or literacy required to benefit from conventional loans. Interest rates are high, and repayment is difficult when prices fluctuate. Tailored financial services suited to informal actors are needed – and some promising models are starting to emerge.
Raising traders’ voices for food system change
Informal traders play a central role in Zambia’s food system, yet they are often excluded from policy spaces. In Lusaka, the project has helped traders begin engaging with local authorities to discuss issues like food loss, market scheduling and price drops due to product oversupply. Supporting their advocacy is an important step toward more inclusive food system governance.