After tourism, agriculture is the single most important economic activity in Africa, contributing to social growth, reduced poverty, increased food security, and a balanced diet. To help local farmers and the communities within Zambia’s Simalaha Community Conservancy achieve these goals, Peace Parks Foundation and partners worked alongside the people living here to develop the agri-hub project.
This project aims to create sustainable commercial agriculture for farmers in the region by connecting them to local marketplaces where seedlings and fresh produce can be bought and sold. Already having achieved success in its initial phases, it has since attracted a lot of interest in the region. Today, Simalaha’s Community Assistant, Brian Mulomba, is taking us to meet some of the traditional leaders who are getting a tour of the agri-hub facility.
What is an agriculture hub?
The agri-hub project pulls together local communities, donors, organisations and local governments to help stimulate the economic growth of the region. It does this by grouping farmers together to form a cooperative and providing them with all the necessary equipment, training, and, ultimately, access to markets.
As seen in the video above, the agri-hub consists of a large central facility with infrastructures such as commercial farms, greenhouses and irrigation to help the community grow and sell a variety of quality fresh produce. Having this support in place helps to improve and sustain the livelihoods of the farmers, lifting the local people in the Simalaha Community Conservancy out of extreme poverty. It also assists the small-scale farmers in becoming more active players in the marketplace.
Economy, nature and people
With farmers able to grow and sell different kinds of produce, the economic conditions of the local communities are improved. This greatly contributes to both the health and well-being of the people while simultaneously lessening their dependence on natural resources and protecting the environment.
