The Zambian self-help initiative is a transformative project designed to lift more than 300 women farmers in Zambia out of extreme poverty by shifting their agricultural practices from low-value subsistence crops like maize to high-value, in-demand vegetables. Working through established cooperatives, the project will empower these women to diversify their crop production and significantly improve their income and nutrition. In Zambia, approximately 50% of the country’s fresh vegetables are currently imported from as far away as South Africa, highlighting a massive gap between local demand and supply. By training women farmers to produce vegetables at scale, we will help them tap into this underserved market and become reliable suppliers to large-scale buyers who offer competitive prices.

Agriculture is the backbone of Zambia’s economy, with about 60% of the population relying on it for their livelihoods. Yet, poverty persists, particularly among the small-scale farmers who make up a majority of the workforce—an estimated 70% of whom are women. Despite the consistent demand for fresh produce, many of these farmers are stuck in cycles of poverty because they can’t produce at scale, lack access to reliable buyers, or don’t have the means to store their crops long enough to sell them at a fair price.

This project addresses those challenges head-on. Through cooperative training, women farmers will learn how to grow vegetables in larger quantities and use solar-powered irrigation systems to farm year-round, even through dry seasons. They’ll also receive vital equipment like storage crates and a solar-powered cold storage unit, which allows them to preserve produce longer and avoid waste. Most critically, we’ll leverage our existing networks to connect these farmers with bulk buyers—restaurants, grocery chains, and institutional purchasers—ensuring their crops don’t just grow, but sell well.

The long-term impact goes far beyond the farm. With the additional income, these women can send all their children to school, provide three meals a day for their families, afford mobile communication, and reinvest in their futures. As the project scales, it will reach hundreds more women, creating a ripple effect throughout rural communities. By transitioning vegetable production from commercial giants to the poorest farmers, the initiative promotes equity and sustainable development. More than just training, this is a shift from survival-based farming to a model of income generation and long-term stability—breaking the cycle of poverty one harvest at a time.

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