Institutionalising Farmer Business School (FBS) Approach in Zambia's National Institutions

In Zambia, women-led farms are turning their activities into thriving businesses with the help of the Farmer Business School (FBS) by Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF). In the last three years, over 16,000 farmers, especially women, from the Luapula and Eastern Provinces have gained valuable business management skills that extend well beyond traditional farming methods.

To ensure sustainability and broader impact, it is crucial for the FBS approach to be institutionalized within Zambia's national structures, including key ministries and other relevant institutions. On November 7, 2024, the Food and Nutrition Security Enhanced Resilience (FANSERI), a German Cooperation project, hosted the FBS Summit to share experiences and discuss the effectiveness of the FBS approach, not only within Zambia but also across other African countries. The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas on promising agribusiness approaches, facilitating collaboration among local farmers, government representatives, and international partners.  

A key focus of the summit was to initiate discussions with Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and other partners regarding the development of policy briefs for agribusinesses and extension services. It also provided an opportunity for cooperating partners to learn more about the FBS approach and other agribusiness strategies promoted by GIZ. This orientation helped stakeholders to understand the practical applications of these methods in improving farmers’ livelihoods.

As part of the summit, FANSER recognized the dedication and expertise of 17 FBS trainers by offering certifications, as a testament to the hard work and commitment of those trainers who have helped local farmers become better business managers and entrepreneurs.

On November 20th and 21st November 2024, the CREATE (Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems) project also held a stakeholder workshop to discuss scaling up the FBS approach and anchoring it within Zambia’s broader agricultural development strategy. The workshop included discussions with Government Ministries and other cooperating partners, ensuring that the FBS approach is integrated into national policies and future agribusiness development plans.

During this workshop, a detailed presentation of the FBS approach and the achievements made in Zambia was shared. The presentation showcased the impact of FBS training on farmers’ financial literacy, business management skills, and overall productivity. Continued collaboration between local farmers, government, and international partners will be key to embedding these practices into national policies, fostering a more resilient and productive agricultural sector for the future.