How Youth in Zambia Can Be Smart in Agriculture

Ukulima si bwa ba shikulu – farming is not just for old people anymore.

Gone are the days when farming was something you only did in retirement or when jobs didn’t come through. Today, farming is business. Real business. And young people in Zambia are starting to realize that the soil under our feet can change our bank accounts.

Whether you’re in Lusaka, Kitwe, or the village, agriculture can put food on your table and money in your pocket — if you’re smart about it.

🌱 How to Get Started Without Waiting for Millions

You don’t need to have 50 hectares in Mkushi or be on a commercial farmer’s level. Many successful young farmers started with nothing but an idea and commitment.

✅ Start Where You Are

Backyard farming – Use any small space to grow veggies like okra, rape, or impwa.
Sack or container farming – Great for urban areas like Kalingalinga or Chilenje.
Broiler chickens – Start with just 50 birds and grow with time.

🗣️ “I started with only 25 chickens at home in Matero. Now I supply 300 birds every 2 weeks to a restaurant in town.”
— Chipo N., 26, Lusaka

✅ Learn As You Go

Follow pages like Zambian Agribusiness Talk or Smart Farming Zambia on Facebook.
Watch YouTube tutorials or join free training offered by Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU).
Visit a local farm and volunteer — experience is the best teacher.

🌍 Best Places in Zambia to Buy or Access Farmland

Not all land is equal. If you’re ready to expand or invest in farming, here are some of the best areas based on soil, market access, and affordability:

🔹 Chongwe

Near Lusaka, great for veggies, poultry, and goats.
Easy access to customers in town and good roads.

🔹 Mumbwa

Central Province hot spot for maize and soya.
Still has affordable plots and access to water sources.

🔹 Chisamba

Perfect for dairy, beef, and commercial crops.
Good infrastructure and farm supply stores available.

🔹 Mpongwe / Masaiti (Copperbelt)

Well-known for serious farmers doing maize, cattle, and chickens.

🔹 Monze / Mazabuka (Southern Province)

Ideal for sugarcane, cattle rearing, and crop rotation.

🗣️ “I got a 5-hectare plot in Mpongwe from my uncle. It’s been the best decision of my life. I grow maize and keep goats too.”
— Brian M., 30, Ndola

❌ Common Mistakes Ba Youth Should Avoid

Farming is business — treat it like one. Here are mistakes many make (and regret later):

🚫 Farming Without a Plan

Don’t just wake up and decide to plant tomatoes. Do you know how much it costs? Where to sell? Who will buy?

🚫 Copying What Everyone Is Doing

If everyone is growing tomatoes in your area, try onions or garlic — something different. Be smart.

🚫 No Record Keeping

If you don’t track your inputs and sales, how will you know if you’re making profit?

🚫 Ignoring Land Ownership Details

Avoid “verbal land sales.” Always involve the local council, get documentation, and know the headman.

🚫 Expecting Instant Money

Farming takes time. You plant today, yes, but the harvest takes patience.

🗣️ “My first batch of chickens died because I didn’t research the right feed and vaccine. I learnt the hard way. But now I run a 500-bird operation.”
— Mildred Z., 24, Kabwe

📲 Use Tech, Social Media & Cooperatives

Farming today is not about being in gumboots 24/7. Be smart:

Join farmer WhatsApp groups for market prices and tips.
Use AgriPredict App for weather forecasts and disease alerts.
Market your produce on Facebook Marketplace, TikTok, or Instagram.

🗣️ “I sell my veggies through WhatsApp groups and get orders from offices. I even got a deal with a supermarket once.”
— Joseph K., 28, Lusaka

🔚 Final Word: Farming Is the Smart Hustle

If you’re jobless, don’t just wait for “connections.” Your hustle could be growing right outside your house.

Zambia has land. Zambia has water. Zambia has sun. What’s missing is your energy and your ideas.

So grab that hoe, get your hands dirty, and make money the smart way. Farming is not backward — it’s the future for smart Zambians.

“From the garden to the bank — that’s the Smart Zambian way.”

💬 What Next?

🔹 Want a simple farming business plan template?
🔹 Looking for where to buy day-old chicks or farming inputs in your town?
🔹 Need help finding legit land sellers?

👉 Let us know in the comments or message us on our Facebook page: [Smart Zambian] — we’re here to help you grow, literally!