Zambia, AGRA: Partnership set to shape future of food systems

ON FEBRUARY 23, the Government of the Republic of Zambia and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) will take a historic step by signing a host country agreement (HCA), formally establishing AGRA’s presence and operations in Zambia.
More than a legal instrument, the host country agreement represents a powerful statement of shared ambition: to accelerate agricultural transformation, strengthen national food systems, and position Zambia as a regional leader in building a resilient, inclusive and market-driven agriculture sector.
“For AGRA, Zambia is not merely a country of operation; it has been a strategic partner in shaping how inclusive food systems can work for national development,” said Maziko Phiri, AGRA Zambia country manager.
“The signing of this agreement formally signifies a relationship that delivers impact and now allows us to scale at greater speed to catalyse Zambia’s ambitions to achieve agricultural transformation.”
A proven partner in Zambia’s agricultural transformationSince beginning its targeted support to Zambia in 2007, AGRA has worked closely with the Government, research institutions, the private sector and farmer organisations to strengthen key pillars of the agriculture sector. These efforts have supported improvements in seed systems, soil health, policy and regulatory reform, and value chain development, laying the groundwork for a more competitive and resilient food system.
“Our work in Zambia demonstrates what is possible when national leadership, strong institutions and targeted investments come together around a shared vision,” said Mr Phiri. “Zambia’s commitment to agricultural transformation has made it a natural partner for AGRA, and the host country agreement allows us to deepen that partnership in a way that is long-term, strategic and transformative.”
Strengthening seed systems and farmer productivityAGRA’s long-standing collaboration with institutions such as the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI), and local seed companies has helped strengthen Zambia’s seed systems. This support has enhanced the development, release, and uptake of improved and climateresilient crop varieties, including the training of PhD holders to strengthen national institutional capacity in seed systems and research.
Through investments in research, seed multiplication, and regulatory strengthening, AGRA has supported efforts to ensure that farmers can access quality inputs tailored to Zambia’s diverse agro-ecological conditions.
Building resilience to respond to the climate crisis in ZambiaAGRA responded to the Government’s call to address the climate crisis after the republican President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, declared the ongoing drought a national disaster on February 29, 2024.
AGRA, in partnership with the Green Climate Fund, invested in RE-GAIN: Scaling Solutions for Food Loss in Africa, a programme focused on reducing climate-induced post-harvest food loss among smallholder farmers to safeguard food security, nutrition, and income security for maize and soya beans.
Climate change is already reshaping how food systems function. Through programmes such as RE-GAIN, AGRA is not only protecting harvests and livelihoods but also helping to build food systems that are more resilient, efficient and future-ready.
Other drought-response initiatives have included building institutional capacity to fast-track the release of climate-smart and nutrient-dense seed varieties, as well as training seed inspectors to ensure last-mile delivery of quality seed to smallholder farmers, thereby reducing crop failure and increasing productivity.
Mobilising investment and unlocking markets
Beyond productivity, AGRA has played a convening role in mobilising investment in national priority value chains, including soya beans, by bringing together Government, investors, the private sector and researchers to unlock new opportunities for value chain development.
These efforts align with Zambia’s ambition to attract private capital to leverage public finance and position agriculture as a driver of inclusive economic growth and job creation.
“The next phase of Zambia’s agricultural transformation must be investment-led,” Mr Phiri emphasised. “AGRA’s role is tohelp create the conditions where public policy, private capital and farmer potential intersect to deliver sustainable agricultural growth.”
Why the host country Agreement matters
The host country agreement provides a formal framework that will enable AGRA to operate more effectively and in closer alignment with national systems.
It will:
• Formalise AGRA’s legal presence in Zambia.
• Deepen collaboration with government institutions.
• Strengthen coordination with development partners and the private sector.
• Enable faster scaling of programmes supported by increased investments.
For AGRA, this agreement is about partnership, predictability and purpose. It allows the organisation to commit more deeply to Zambia’s priorities and to work hand in hand with the Government to deliver results that matter to farmers and the agricultural ecosystem alike.
Looking ahead
As AGRA marks 20 years of advancing agricultural transformation across Africa under the theme AGRA@20, the formalisation of its presence in Zambia through the host country agreement stands as both a milestone and a long-term partnership. It reflects a renewed commitment and shared ambition to build a food system capable of driving national development.
On February 23, when Zambia and AGRA sign the host country agreement, it will not merely be the signing of a document – it will be an affirmation of a shared vision for the future of agriculture.
The author is communications associate.