Commercial Agribusiness for Sustainable Horticulture (CASH)
Zambian smallholder agriculture is dominated by a single crop, maize, and characterized be little private sector investment. CASH works with over 5,000 smallholder horticulture producers and processers in Eastern and Lusaka provinces to increase productivity, income, and employment, while strengthening their ability to meet market standards and access market opportunities. Small-scale farmers, women, and more vulnerable households also increase their access to improved technologies such as seeds and irrigation. The project supports the production of marketing of superior quality horticultural products through strategic partnerships between Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP), Freshmark, Freshpikt, Stellenbosch University, and Christian Enterprise Trust of Zambia (CETZAM) Financial Services with producers, development organizations, and the private sector.
Activity Description
Smallholder producers will gain market share in three new demand points:
(1) On the fresh market in supermarkets, hotels and caterers;
(2) On the dry horticultural products market;
(3) On the processed food market: companies producing sauces, canned purees, pulps, and bottled horticulture products for various end users.
The lead implementing organization, ASNAPP, is working with small farmers in central and eastern Zambia to improve livelihoods. ASNAPP assists in forging market linkages between small growers, hotels and retailers. Their extension officers and agronomists provide training and technical support to growers in the field. At ASNAPP demo sites new varieties, production techniques and post-harvest handling are demonstrated to farmers
The focus is on education for high value crops including cauliflower, spinach, red pepper and other crops that are new to area farmers. There is an effort to link farmers to higher value markets including supermarkets and lodges, but much product goes through the open spot market.
Expected Outcomes
• Increase enterprise competitiveness for horticulture,
• Promote participation among women in horticultural production,
• Increase the quality of products through training, and
• Test greenhouse technology (based at a farmer learning center).
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