Zambia’s agricultural sector holds immense potential, but local products face significant challenges in accessing export markets, particularly in South Africa and the European Union. Key obstacles include inconsistent production practices, lack of harmonized standards, and limited market access.
To address these challenges, Solidaridad, in collaboration with the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), is developing the Zambian Good Agricultural Practices (ZAMGAP) programme. ZAMGAP is a certification and standards framework designed to improve agricultural practices in Zambia, ensuring that local products meet international quality and safety standards, thereby facilitating access to regional and global markets.
Recently, Solidaridad organised a multi-stakeholder workshop on ZAMGAP standards, bringing together participants from farming communities, civil society organizations, academia, and chain stores. During the event, Ministry of Agriculture Assistant Director Mr. Alick Daka underscored the importance of institutionalising ZAMGAP as a national framework to standardize agricultural practices. He highlighted that these standards will help ensure Zambian agricultural products remain competitive and safe in global markets while promoting sustainable farming practices vital to Zambia’s future.
Zambia Bureau of Standards Standards Development Manager Mr. Steve Mazimba explained the rigorous process of developing and approving standards, which includes stakeholder consultations, public inquiries, and technical validation, culminating in certification. Certification is valid for three years, requires regular monitoring and recertification to maintain high standards.
Currently, York Farm is one of the few Zambian companies exporting fresh vegetables such as baby corn, sugar snaps, mangetout, chillies, and fine beans to Europe, New Zealand, and South Africa for over 27 years, exemplifies the benefits of certification. All products are sourced from two certified farms owned by the company. According to Farm Manager Mr.
Francis Chama, York Farm adheres to international standards like the British Retail Consortium Global Standards for food safety and Global Good Agricultural Practices for safe and sustainable farming. Additional standards met include Tesco Nature’s Choice, Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (focused on labor and social practices), and Linking Environment and Farming, a global assurance system promoting sustainable farming. Mr. Chama emphasized that compliance with these standards has enabled York Farm to remain among the few Least Developed Countries (LDCs) exporters integrated into the global agricultural supply chain.
Despite success stories like York Farm, many Zambian farmers struggle to meet international market standards due to high pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.
A study by University of Zambia (UNZA) researchers Mr. Tobias Alubi and Mr. Gilson Chipabika revealed alarming pesticide contamination levels in fruits and vegetables, particularly in tomatoes, rape, and cabbage. The study found that 21 out of 28 tomato samples and 20 out of 25 cabbage samples contained pesticide residues. Chlorpyrifos, commonly found in tomatoes, exceeded allowable limits set by both African and European standards. Similarly, Monocrotophos and Acetamiprid in cabbage surpassed safe levels. The researchers attributed these findings to inadequate knowledge, poor education, and weak monitoring systems regarding pesticide use.
To combat the critical issue of food contamination from unsafe and unregulated pesticide use, improper handling, and unclean water in the fruit and vegetable sector, Solidaridad, in partnership with CUTS International, launched the “Safe and Healthy Food, Safe and Healthy Zambia” campaign in 2023. CUTS representatives Ms. Janet
Namute and Mr. Victor Sikombe emphasized the importance of consumer awareness regarding product ingredients, nutritional content, and safety. They pointed out that 60 percent of households in low-income areas rely on local markets for their daily food needs, stressing the need for stronger regulations to control pesticide use.
Solidaridad’s Fruit and Vegetable Program Manager, Mr. Friday Siwale, noted that ZAMGAP offers small-scale and emerging farmers an opportunity to access more lucrative markets, increase productivity, and reduce costs. Adhering to ZAMGAP standards not only improves product quality but also reduces environmental contamination and promotes sustainable farming practices. The ZAMGAP standards focus on environmental sustainability, encouraging farmers to reduce harmful pesticide use, protect soil and water quality, and boost overall agricultural productivity.