Zambian women increase yields despite drought with regenerative farming
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Women farmers in Zambia’s Eastern Province increased their crop yields by 31 percent, even during a severe drought, by adopting new farming techniques.
For years, farmers like Sara Phiri struggled to produce enough food to feed their families and earn income. Then, they began using methods like ripping, shallow soil cultivation, crop rotation, and agroforestry, which focus on soil health and water conservation.
The Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project, supported by the World Bank and other organizations, established 478 “Farmer Field Schools” where over 10,700 farmers learned and tested these techniques. These schools served as practical learning centers, allowing farmers to experiment and share knowledge directly in the fields. In 2024, a historic drought impacted Zambia, but farmers participating in the program saw yields increase by over 30 percent and incomes grow by almost 50 percent compared to others.
The project ended in 2024, but the network of farmers continues to expand, with 678 Farmer Field Schools now operating in the Eastern Province and reaching nearly 170,000 smallholder farmers across 171,000 hectares. The initiative specifically aimed to empower women, who play a significant role in Zambian agriculture but often have limited access to resources.
