Agricultural Reform Agenda Targets Transparency, Financing, and Growth

By Daily News Reporter

Zambia’s agriculture sector could soon undergo major reforms as Parliament considers three key bills designed to strengthen market systems, improve farmer financing, and promote private sector-led growth.

The proposed Agricultural Marketing Bill, Food Reserve Bill, and Agricultural Credit and Warehouse Receipts Bill form part of the government’s 2025/2026 agricultural reform agenda. Together, they aim to modernize markets, ensure timely payments to farmers, and expand access to financing through warehouse receipt systems.

At a stakeholder engagement in Lusaka, Dr. Brian Mulenga, Executive Director of the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), explained that the Agricultural Marketing Bill seeks to establish clear procedures for export decisions and market interventions.

“The bill is designed to enhance transparency and improve consultations between government authorities, farmers, and market actors when making decisions that affect prices and trade,” Dr. Mulenga said.

He added that the Agricultural Credit and Warehouse Receipts Bill would allow crops stored in certified warehouses to serve as collateral for loans, significantly boosting farmers’ access to financing.

Prof. Frank Kayula, President of the National Union for Small Scale Farmers in Zambia, emphasized that the reforms offer tangible benefits. He noted that the registration requirement under the Agricultural Marketing Bill would protect farmers from unfair practices, while the Food Reserve Bill could resolve longstanding issues of delayed payments.

“If these bills are enacted, farmers will have more certainty in the market and better opportunities to grow their businesses,” Prof. Kayula said, describing the reforms as “non-controversial but critical.”

Supporting this view, Yotam Mkandawire, Executive Director of the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, said the reforms would provide clear rules for marketing, storage, and credit access.

“Enacting these bills is necessary to stabilize trade and build trust among farmers, traders, and government institutions,” Mkandawire said.

IAPRI has played a pivotal role in supporting the reforms by providing technical expertise and evidence-based analysis. The institute has facilitated high-level discussions with Members of Parliament from committees on Agriculture, Lands, Trade, Labor, Budget, and National Economy, focusing on the bills’ long-term impacts on productivity, regional trade, and market stability.

Analysts say the three bills could foster a more predictable and transparent agricultural market, support farmer empowerment, and stimulate investment—key elements for Zambia’s goal of achieving sustainable agricultural growth and food security.

“These reforms, reinforced by broader programs like the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Program (CASP), represent a decisive pivot toward private sector-led growth and a resilient, market-oriented agriculture economy,” Dr. Mulenga said.