Harvesting innovation: Zambia’s agripreneurs turning ideas into opportunities.

In Zambia, about 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, with nearly 78% dependent on agriculture for their living, with about 80% of these living in rural areas. Although the agricultural potential is high, it has remained underdeveloped due to a combination of factors: poor infrastructure; underdeveloped input supply chains and produce value chains; lack of last-mile delivery systems; poor access to credit and high interest rates (currently 60% per annum); and dependence on unpredictable rain-fed cropping systems.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Zambia’s economy, and young women form the majority of small-scale farmers. They grow food, sell produce, and sustain rural economies. However, despite their contributions, they continue to face challenges such as limited access to markets, land due to traditional inheritance laws, lack of financial resources to invest in modern farming methods and limited access to training.

The Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) team in Zambia has been working to ensure that young people—particularly young women—can access markets, form strategic partnerships, and secure equitable livelihoods. This year, the team took that mission to the Provincial Agricultural Shows, a national fixture for showcasing innovation and sharing knowledge. Held under the theme “Adapting to Climate Change”, the events brought together farmers, agribusinesses, and communities to exchange ideas and explore new ways of working.

Using SNV’s MATCH approach—which focuses on linking people to both markets and financial services—the YEE team created space for young people to engage directly with a wide range of market actors. Exhibitors included input suppliers, agro-dealers, cooperatives, and extension service providers, alongside traders, off-takers, processors, and retailers. For many youth participants, this was a first opportunity to meet potential buyers, suppliers, and partners face-to-face, and to see the full range of roles that make up a functioning value chain.

The effort aligns closely with Zambia’s Vision 2030 and the National Youth Policy, which both call for inclusive economic participation as a foundation for national development. By connecting young people to the people and systems that shape agriculture, the YEE team is helping turn these policies into lived opportunities.

The Provincial Agricultural Shows were more than an exhibition space—they were a meeting ground for diverse stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. The events created opportunities for collaboration between youth-led enterprises, established businesses, and community-based organisations.

For young entrepreneurs, the shows offered a stage to present their own climate-smart innovations. Products ranged from composting manuals and organic fertilisers to dried fruits and vegetables—solutions designed not just for commercial value, but to address the climate pressures facing Zambia’s farmers. These displays demonstrated that young people are not only entering the sector but also shaping it with practical, sustainable ideas.

Alongside the stalls and presentations, the events featured demonstrations of emerging agricultural technologies and tools. From efficient irrigation systems to improved post-harvest storage solutions, these innovations aim to boost productivity and reduce losses. For youth in particular, seeing and handling these tools firsthand can make agribusiness a more attractive and viable career path.

The YEE team’s approach reflects our commitment to addressing the climate crisis through sustainable systems change. By operating at both national and sub-national levels, and ensuring that climate adaptation is integrated into market development, the team is helping build agricultural systems that are both inclusive and resilient.

Recognition for these efforts came at the close of the four-day events. The Southern Province and Northern Province YEE teams scooped first place, while the Central Province team secured second place, and the Eastern Province team earned third place for their exhibitions. These awards acknowledged not only the quality of the displays but also the value of the partnerships and ideas being shared.

“The shows made clear that when youth have access to the right platforms, networks, and tools, they can bring forward innovations that strengthen livelihoods and help communities adapt to a changing climate,” said Stephen Lubinga “For our team, this is part of a broader push to ensure that Zambia’s agricultural future includes—and benefits from—the energy, creativity, and leadership of its young people.”