Advancing processing investments

The Nyimba District Farmers Association (NDFA) was established in 2006 as a legally registered network representing 121 cooperatives, women’s groups and information centres across Nyimba district in the Eastern province of Zambia. Women make up 60% of its membership, as part of NDFA’s commitment to foster inclusive economic opportunities.

Yet for many years, most member groups sold their agricultural and forest products in raw form. Limited access to processing technologies, markets and finance meant that farmers, and especially women and youth, remained trapped in low-value market positions, with minimal bargaining power.

Forest and Farm Facility activities

This situation changed significantly with support from the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) between 2021 and 2024. During this period, FFF provided just over US$230,000 to NDFA for a range of business incubation activities, value-added equipment purchases and irrigation, nursery and agroecology developments. 

NDFA and its member forest and farm producer organisations (FFPOs) went through a process of FFPO beneficiary selection, 20 structured training cycles on business development, and the development of 22 business plans and eight strategic plans. These plans attracted external finance and enabled members to engage in new markets.

FAO-approved trainers, sector specialists and government extension officers also delivered hands-on training in business planning, governance, agroecology and value addition.

In addition, equipment was procured and installed at selected group sites for processing oil, formulating feed from maize, soybeans and musekese pods, milling maize, and processing fruit and honey, which was followed by continuous on-site coaching.

This practical, field-based approach enabled NDFA to evolve into a district agribusiness hub, supporting the incubation of diverse enterprises. Between 2022 and 2024, NDFA upgraded numerous value chains, including the production of 30-90 tonnes of sunflower oil per year, 100-150 tonnes of livestock feed, 60-90 tonnes of maize meal and 1.5-2 tonnes of dried fruit.

Significance of impact

The financial impacts have been transformative for producer group members. For example, the Tilimbe Women’s Group’s new processing unit increased its annual honey income from around $560 to over $2,400, representing more than a fourfold increase. And the Nyankhasi Women’s Group has grown its annual income from maize milling and processed honey and beeswax production to over $4,300.

Across NDFA’s membership, sunflower value addition now brings in around $7,800-15,650 per year, while livestock feed contributes around $10,400-18,250, dried fruits yield around $4,200-6,260, and maize milling generates around $7,800-10,500 annually. Affordable livestock feed has also supported the growth of poultry and piggery enterprises districtwide. 

According to Alice Tembo, of Tilimbe Women’s Group: “Before FFF came, we used to sell raw honey for whatever price buyers dictated. Now we process, package and supply shops. Last year alone, our group earned 46,300 Zambian kwacha [about $2,400]. For the first time, we feel like real businesswomen.”

Across NDFA, between 6,800 and 10,350 members have directly benefited, with groups reporting meaningful increases in individual incomes, as processed products command higher market prices. Women and youth now occupy central roles in processing, packaging, quality control, marketing and enterprise leadership. Women-led cooperatives such as Tilimbe and Nyankhasi have gained visibility and influence within the district’s agribusiness landscape. Youth have also expanded their involvement, benefiting from emerging employment and enterprise opportunities within value-addition businesses.

Conclusion

With FFF support, the shift to value addition has played a critical role in strengthening communities’ climate resilience, as diverse incomes from processed sunflower oil, livestock feed, maize meal and dried fruits, and from processing honey, are now less vulnerable to rainfall shocks, fluctuating crop yields and post-harvest losses. This is especially so for perishable crops such as mangoes and bananas, which previously spoiled during drought periods or market delays.

With irrigation technologies, integrated gardening and tree nurseries supported by FFF, NDFA members have adopted climate-smart practices that ensure year-round production, improved soil health and improve household nutrition. Together, these changes have helped farmers build more climate-resilient livelihoods against the increasing challenges of droughts and seasonal variability.

Further reading

Forest and Farm Facility 2023 annual report: climate resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods, Forest and Farm Facility (2024)

Insight: Strengthening climate resilience through agroforestry and community forestry, Stephen Mwangi (November 2024)

Boosting community forestry and agroforestry businesses: field lessons learned for improving and upscaling returns from FFPO initiatives in Africa, Vincent Ziba, Gordon Manu, Sophie Grouwels, Lwanga Malwa, Duncan Macqueen (2024), FAO, Rome