AFAP Celebrates Successful Closure of Sustain Africa Initiative Project in Zambia
The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) has successfully concluded its Sustain Africa Initiative project in Zambia. The event, held on November 3, 2023, at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Hall, Mulungushi International Conference Centre, showcased significant achievements in addressing challenges within fertilizer supply channels and tackling food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The Sustain Africa Initiative, launched by AFAP, has made notable progress in combating food insecurity exacerbated by rising fertilizer prices and disruptions caused by COVID-19, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and recent currency devaluations.
The program, running until April 2024, aimed to deliver 20,000 metric tons of discounted fertilizer and improve farming practices by training approximately 100,000 farmers in Zambia’s Western, Northern, North-Western, Luapula, and Muchinga provinces.
Key focus areas of the initiative included staple crops such as maize, rice, beans, and soya beans, which are crucial for Zambia’s food security.
AFAP, in partnership with suppliers including ETG, Yara International Fertilizers, FSG, IRM, Apollo Agriculture, UPL, Syngenta, Bayer, and the Ministry of Agriculture, achieved significant milestones despite some challenges.
The project saw a positive impact in regions where rainfall was favorable, even though targets were slightly missed.
The event highlighted AFAP’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in the region. The collaboration between various stakeholders demonstrated a coordinated effort to address critical issues in the fertilizer supply chain and support the agricultural sector.
