Overview
The Second National Agricultural Policy reviews sector performance under the 2004–2015 NAP and sets a new vision for an efficient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector that assures food and nutrition security, employment and incomes. It outlines Zambia’s resource endowments, agro‑ecological regions, and performance trends in crops, fisheries and livestock, noting persistent challenges such as low productivity, dependence on rain‑fed systems, weak extension and R&D, market inefficiencies, and climate change impacts. The policy establishes guiding principles and ten objectives covering increased production and productivity; strengthened research, extension and training; improved input and output markets; access to finance and insurance; enhanced private sector participation; food and nutrition security; sustainable natural resource management; climate change mainstreaming; and gender, HIV/AIDS and governance. It details practical measures for crops, livestock and fisheries, including irrigation development, mechanization, disease control, aquaculture promotion, market information systems, warehouse receipts, and value addition. An implementation framework assigns leadership to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, emphasizes partnerships with stakeholders, and highlights legal and regulatory actions, including review or replacement of several Acts and development of new legislation. Resource mobilization will draw on government budgets, private investment and development partners, with monitoring and evaluation aligned to national plans such as Vision 2030 and the CAADP-aligned National Agricultural Investment Plan.