Key Legal, Policy and Practice Insights

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

LUSAKA - Zambia’s agricultural future is increasingly shaped by the realities of climate change, rising input costs, and persistent food insecurity among rural and peri-urban communities. In response to these challenges, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), with support from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), has undertaken complementary research aimed at strengthening the case for agroecology as a pathway to climate resilience, food justice, and sustainable livelihoods.

This blog summarises two key publications emerging from this work:

1. An analysis of legal and policy gaps preventing the practice of agroecology in Zambia, and
2. A policy brief drawing from community-level evidence in Pemba, Mongu, Rufunsa and Chongwe districts.

Together, the documents provide both a national policy perspective and a grounded account of farmers’ lived realities.

Why Agroecology Matters

Agroecology applies ecological principles to agricultural systems, prioritising soil health, biodiversity, water conservation, local knowledge, and reduced dependence on costly external inputs. It offers a viable response to climate change by strengthening resilience, improving food and nutrition security, and supporting environmentally sustainable production systems—particularly for small-scale farmers.

Despite these benefits, agroecology remains marginal within Zambia’s formal agricultural policy and legislative environment.

Key Findings from the Legal and Policy Analysis

The analysis reveals that Zambia lacks a dedicated agroecology policy and that existing laws and policies do not explicitly recognise or promote agroecological approaches. While several frameworks reference sustainability or climate-smart agriculture, they largely favour industrial and input-intensive models of production.

Notable gaps include:

• Agricultural policy bias towards chemical fertilisers and hybrid seeds, particularly under the Second National Agriculture Policy (SNAP), with limited support for ecological farming systems.
• Weak integration of food systems thinking within the National Policy on Climate Change and the National Policy on the Environment, especially regarding nutrition, dietary diversity, and culturally appropriate food systems.
• Limited recognition of agroecological principles—such as recycling, soil regeneration, and input reduction—within water, land, and environmental governance frameworks.
• Restrictive professional and institutional frameworks, including the Agriculture Institute of Zambia Act, which prioritise narrowly defined agricultural expertise and overlook multidisciplinary and community-based knowledge essential to agroecology.

Overall, the analysis concludes that Zambia’s current policy environment does not sufficiently support the transition to agroecological food systems, despite alignment opportunities with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 8th National Development Plan, and regional climate commitments.

Evidence from Farming Communities: Insights from the Policy Brief

The policy brief complements the national analysis by examining agroecology at community level across four districts: Pemba, Mongu, Rufunsa and Chongwe. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews, the study assessed farmer practices, policy awareness, and practical constraints.

Key insights include:

• Low uptake of agroecology among small-scale farmers, with most relying on conventional or mixed farming systems.
• Partial application of agroecological practices, such as crop rotation, intercropping, minimum tillage and manure use—often without being recognised as agroecology.
• Positive outcomes where sustainable practices are applied, including improved yields, better soil moisture retention, enhanced food security, and greater drought tolerance.
• Persistent barriers, notably limited access to farming implements, low awareness of agroecology, challenges with weed management, and inadequate public investment in farmer training and extension services.

The brief confirms that while farmers are open to sustainable approaches, the absence of supportive policy, financing, and institutional backing significantly limits wider adoption.

Shared Conclusions and Recommendations

Both documents converge on a clear conclusion: Zambia urgently needs a coherent, explicit policy and legislative framework that recognises and promotes agroecology as central to food security, climate resilience, and social justice.

Key recommendations include:

• Revising agricultural, environmental, land and climate policies to explicitly support agroecology.
• Removing policy biases that favour chemical inputs and industrial agriculture.
• Strengthening stakeholder participation, particularly for small-scale farmers and women.
• Increasing public investment in sustainable agriculture, training, and appropriate farming implements.
• Aligning national frameworks with international commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals.

Access the Full Documents

For readers seeking deeper analysis and detailed recommendations, the full publications are available via the buttons below.

These resources are intended to support policymakers, civil society, faith-based organisations, researchers, and communities in advancing agroecology and food justice in Zambia.