Sustainable Climate Smart Agriculture Conference in Zambia - a delegation of WoFaAK attended this event on 28th of May 2025

  How it all began

It all began at a powerful seminar in Herrsching, Germany: “Rural Women Get a Voice – Tools for Voluntary Leaders from Kenya and Zambia,” held by BBV-LIZ in September 2024. Among the lively and passionate participants were Elly Siakasasa, Chairperson of Nkoka Women in Agribusiness (NWAB)  and Nkolola Halwindi, Executive Director of NWAB from Zambia, who quickly struck up a heartfelt connection with their Kenyan peers.

During the seminar, Elly reached out to Winnie Muriithi, the National Chairwoman of the Women Farmers Association of Kenya. From the very first conversation, something clicked. They discovered a shared mission, a shared energy—and a shared dream. What began as an exchange of ideas soon blossomed into a deep collaboration between two grassroots women’s organizations.

In October 2024, Elly and Nkolola travelled to Embu, Kenya, to join the County´s  first-ever Rural Women’s Day celebration. There, they met Immaculata Nansamba, chairperson of Kiboga District Farmers Association and Milly Nagava, Treasurer of Masaka District Young Farmers Association, two inspiring representatives from Uganda’s rural women’s associations. The gathering of these vibrant leaders sparked something historic—the creation of the Embu Declaration, a Memorandum of Understanding that laid the foundation for cross-border cooperation to uplift and empower women in agriculture.

Just seven months later, this growing sisterhood came together again—this time in Lusaka, Zambia, for the Women and Youth in Agriculture Conference 2025. What began as a single seminar had evolved into a vivid regional movement, powered by friendship, shared purpose, and the unstoppable spirit of rural women leaders across Africa.

Introduction: A Regional Alliance for Agricultural Transformation

Against the vibrant backdrop of Lusaka’s showgrounds, the Women and Youth in Agriculture Conference 2025 convened with renewed purpose and pan-African unity. Organized by Nkoka Women in Agribusiness (NWAB) and chaired by the dynamic Ms. Elly Siakasasa, the conference welcomed delegates from Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda to discuss sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agricultural futures.

Ms. Elly opened the forum with a compelling call to action—stressing the need for enabling policies, robust partnerships, and shared responsibilities among government, civil society, and grassroots actors to elevate women and youth in agriculture.

Spotlight on Speakers: Insights and Inspiration

🌾 Mr. Joseph Chelo – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture (Zambia)
With a data-driven perspective, Mr. Chelo revealed that Zambia’s vast 58% arable land remains underutilized—only 14% is cultivated and just 5% irrigated. Urging urgent action to meet the 10 billion tonnes maize target by 2027, he called for an end to mono-cropping and emphasized soil health, youth empowerment, and sustainable practices.

👩‍🌾 Mr. Timothy Tonga – Ministry of Gender
Mr. Tonga challenged structural inequality, advocating for affirmative action, land rights, financial inclusion, and gender-sensitive research to empower women farmers.

💼 Ms. Eunice Nyakachoma – Executive Director, KUWALA
Sharing heartwarming success stories, Ms. Eunice illustrated how training, market access, and savings groups are transforming the lives of rural women and youth in Zambia.

🍊 Ms. Lisa – Makeni Seedlings
Fruits took center stage in Ms. Lisa’s session—she championed fruit farming as a vehicle for nutrition, food security, and income generation.

🌍Madam Winfred Muriithi – Women Farmers Association of Kenya
   Speaking with passion, Madam Winfred stressed the need for leadership and governance training to build resilient farming communities.

🌍Ms. Ann Muriithi – Youth Leader, Embu Chapter
  Ann energized the room with her entrepreneurial insights, promoting agriculture as a business for youth. She highlighted digital tools, mentorship, and market access as game-changers.

🌱 Mr. Emmanuel Chapa – Urban Future
Mr. Chapa brought attention to livelihood diversification and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, underscoring the link between food systems and community resilience.

🌿 Mr. Bwalya Mwansa – ZAWARD
Mr. Mwansa unpacked the threat of climate change on food security, recommending agroforestry, community education, and crop diversification.

🐄 Mr. Eric M. Mulope
Mr. Mulope delivered practical strategies on livestock management—emphasizing animal health, proper housing, feeding, and integration into mixed systems.

🌍 Ms. Immaculate Nansamba – Uganda
Ms. Nansamba called on delegates to document women’s agricultural contributions, strengthen East African solidarity, and pass on wisdom across generations.

Conference Highlights: Shared Visions, Shared Commitments

1. Uganda National Agricultural Show (27th June – 5th July):
   Delegates were officially invited. Entry set at UGX 5,000 per adult.

2. Resource Mobilization:
   Emphasis was placed on increasing financial support for youth and women-focused programs.

3. Regional Youth Digital Platform:
   Plans were set in motion to launch a tri-country youth innovation hub.

4. Rural Women/Food Day (16th October):
   All three nations will jointly celebrate Rural Women’s Day, showcasing women’s impact on food systems.

5. Agripreneurship Incubation:
   Youth and women to receive seed capital and mentorship for launching agri-enterprises.

6. Women in Agribusiness Network Expansion:
   The network grows stronger, now including Uganda and Zambia with enhanced partnerships.

7. Kampala Ministerial Declaration Alignment:
   Emphasis on aligning with KDMECC (2022) and integrating the Embu Declaration for cohesive regional action.

8. Real-time Communication via WhatsApp:
   Each country will nominate six representatives for fast, fluid communication.

9. School Feeding Programs:
   A value-chain-based approach to school feeding will be developed across the region.

10. Unified Environmental Advocacy:
    Delegates agreed to build a collective environmental voice to combat degradation.

11. Strengthening Agri-Food Systems:
    Focused on agroecology, market linkages, and value addition at the community level.

12. Collective Marketing Models:
    Strategies to improve youth and women’s bargaining power through group marketing.

13. Regional Seed Policy Harmonization:
    A standardized seed policy is in development to enable cross-border seed trade.

14. Leadership and Governance Training:
    Recognized as foundational to sustainable transformation.

15. ToT Certification:
    Call for standardization and professionalism in agricultural training programs.

Recommendations: Forging Ahead Together

1. Deepen regional collaboration through consistent dialogue and shared projects.

2. Secure formal partnerships with key institutions like AHA and Mastercard Foundation.

3. Celebrate and share grassroots success stories to inspire scale and replication.

4. Embrace digital solutions for real-time communication, data sharing, and market access.

5. Embed youth and women in policy-making and leadership spaces.

6. Drive value addition to minimize losses and maximize income.

7. Commit to environmental regeneration through reforestation and sustainable practices.

Conclusion: Seeds of Change, Sown Together

The 2025 Women and Youth in Agriculture Conference was more than a gathering—it was a powerful convergence of ideas, leadership, and shared determination. Across national lines, stakeholders pledged to advance climate-smart, inclusive agriculture with the voices of women and youth at the helm.

With renewed energy and regional solidarity, the journey toward a resilient, empowered, and food-secure Africa continues.