FOOD SECURITY

GOAL: Produce one million tonnes of wheat and soybeans and 10 million tonnes of maize annually by 2030.

PROGRESS FOR 2026:

Agriculture is the backbone of Zambia’s economy, and climate change has underscored the risks of reliance on rain-fed farming. To mitigate this, the 2026 Budget allocates K1.9 billion to irrigation and farm block development.

The Presidential Irrigation Programme aims to produce 340,000 tonnes of maize in 2025 and scale up to 1.65 million tonnes by 2026. These targets are crucial in ensuring food security, stabilising maize meal prices, and reducing dependence on rainfall. Irrigation guarantees year-round production and enhances resilience for both smallholders and commercial farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture leads the program, supported by the Ministry of Water Development and line institutions. Farmers will benefit from enhanced access to inputs, mechanisation, extension services, and output markets. Private sector actors are also expected to innovate around affordable irrigation technologies, including solar-powered pumps.

The PDU’s monitoring framework ensures that the billions allocated translate into water security and food stability. By tracking delivery at farm block and smallholder levels, the PDU connects national production goals to household food security. This approach ensures Zambia not only achieves self-sufficiency but also builds surplus capacity for regional exports.

Irrigation is not merely an agricultural intervention. It is a cornerstone of national stability, rural job creation, and poverty reduction, ensuring that Zambia can sustain itself as the region’s breadbasket.