Agriculture remains one of the central pillars of Zambia’s economy, supported by vast land availability, favourable climate conditions, abundant water resources, and a large labour base. The country has approximately 42 million hectares of arable land, yet only about 1.5 million hectares are currently cultivated. To unlock this potential, government has established strategic farm blocks totalling about 1 million hectares across all provinces, targeted at both local and foreign investors for commercial, rain-fed or mechanised farming. Zambia’s climate, characterised by rains from November to April and a dry season from May to November, with average summer temperatures around 30 °C, supports a wide range of crops. Production is dominated by smallholder farmers focusing mainly on maize, cassava, sorghum, millet and soybeans, while non-traditional crops such as cotton, coffee, sugarcane and horticultural products are increasingly promoted. Livestock farming, especially cattle, poultry and goats, also contributes significantly. Productivity, however, remains constrained by low mechanisation and limited irrigation development. Although irrigation potential is estimated at 430,000 hectares, only about 100,000 hectares are developed, leaving the sector largely vulnerable to rainfall variability.
Economic Contribution
Agriculture contributes approximately 20% to GDP when combined with agribusiness, and accounting for around 12 percent of national export earnings. The sector employs an estimated 70 percent of the labour force and is the main source of livelihood in rural areas. Although agriculture still supports a large share of households, its direct contribution to GDP has declined, with value added from agriculture, forestry and fishing falling to about 1.8 percent of GDP in 2024, reflecting structural shifts toward faster-growing non-agricultural sectors. Production levels, however, remain substantial. Maize output is projected at approximately 3.66 million metric tonnes in the 2024/2025 season, up significantly from 1.5 million tonnes in the previous season. Growth is also occurring in non-traditional cash crops, livestock, and agro-processing, which support export diversification and job creation within value-chains. Nonetheless, high employment levels against low output highlight persistent productivity challenges, largely due to dependence on rain-fed smallholder farming, limited mechanisation, and under-utilisation of modern farming technologies.
Outlook
Zambia’s agricultural sector offers strong growth potential driven by abundant land, water availability, favourable climate, and active government support for commercialization and value-addition. Over the next decade, expanding cultivation from the current 1.5 million hectares to even a modest share of total arable land could significantly increase national output, especially through mechanised and irrigated farming. Improving irrigation remains a key driver. With potential exceeding 430,000 hectares, increasing developed irrigation capacity would enhance productivity, reduce climate vulnerability, and support higher-value crops such as horticulture, sugarcane, floriculture, and specialty cash crops. Significant opportunities also exist in agro-processing, particularly in edible oils, dairy and livestock products, cassava-based products, grain milling, fruit processing, and textiles. Given access to regional markets of over 250 million consumers, processed agriculture could substantially increase export earnings. Unlocking this potential requires sustained investment in mechanisation, irrigation systems, storage, processing infrastructure, and market linkages. Addressing these gaps will improve productivity, raise rural incomes, reduce poverty, and position agriculture and agribusiness as major contributors to Zambia’s medium-term economic transformation.
