The Zambian government has launched two initiatives aimed at strengthening national coordination on sustainable soil management and supporting more productive, resilient and market‑oriented agrifood systems.
The Zambia Soil Partnership (ZSP) and the Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP) were unveiled in Lusaka in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), with support from the United States government.
Both initiatives fall under the Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER) programme, which operates in seven countries across Africa and Central America and is funded by the US Department of State and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The launch also marked the inauguration of a soil moisture monitoring station at the University of Zambia, installed by FAO in partnership with the FAO/IAEA Joint Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.
The station is part of broader efforts to strengthen soil analysis capacity through upgraded laboratory infrastructure and training for national technical staff.
Speaking on behalf of Agriculture Minister Reuben Phiri, Permanent Secretary John Mulongoti stressed the importance of coordinated soil management to improve productivity and resilience.
“Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable agriculture and food security in Zambia. Strengthening soil management and coordination among national institutions is essential to improving agricultural productivity and ensuring the long-term resilience of our agrifood systems,” he said.
FAO Representative to Zambia, Suze Percy‑Filippini highlighted the role of innovation and partnerships in transforming agrifood systems, while Julie Kapuvari of the US Department of State underscored the link between soil health, nutrition and resilience.
The ZSP will serve as a multi‑stakeholder platform bringing together government, research institutions, universities, farmer organisations, the private sector and development partners.
The GSDP, meanwhile, will provide farmer‑to‑farmer training to equip communities with practical tools for assessing and improving soil health.
JN/APA