5 August - The United States African Development Foundation (USADF), in partnership with the Government of Zambia and Zambia Agribusiness Technical Assistance Center (ZATAC), held a grant recipient ceremony recognising four grants totaling nearly half a million dollars and which are benefitting grassroots groups in Zambia.

The grantees are the Chambeshi Rice Farmers Association (CRFA), Chavuma District Farmers Association, Kadande Farmers Group (KFG), and Zambezi Organic Rice Growers Association (ZORGA). The USADF began funding these groups in 2009.

During the ceremony, USADF President Lloyd Pierson made it clear that these grants are being 100 percent invested in African enterprises to create jobs, increase incomes, and support a high quality of life for the grantees.

He stated, “USADF and Zambia have a long-standing history of working to serve the people of Zambia by funding grassroots groups. The Foundation chooses to recognize these grants today for they are supporting not job creation and income generation, but are supplying essential food outputs to their communities.”

CRFA is an association with 500 members located in Mungwi, 993km from Lusaka and currently produces organic rice and is looking to produce and export quality rice that is profitable for members.

The eighteen month grant will aid in developing a business and marketing plan, improving rice outputs, and beginning to market rice. These steps are designed to increase CRFA’s prospects for sustained growth in the future.

Located in Chavuma District, Chavuma DFA is an organisation of farmers who grow rice, cassava, and maize. Chavuma is located in Northwestern Province in Zambia, a remote and underserved province with poor roads and infrastructure. The Association works with farmer members to provide services such as market information extension services, and access to buyers such as the Food Reserve Agency. The eighteen month grant will position Chavuma DFA to meet requested standards and market demand. Funds will specifically fund improvements to financial systems, create a marketing plan, develop marketing strategies, train members, and supplying milling equipment so the association can establish a local, sustainable milling facility.

KFG, Located in Chama District, is an organization of farmers who grow rice and other crops such as maize and groundnuts, providing a market for the agricultural products its members produce. Chama is a remote town along the Zambia Malawi boarder, approximately a ten hour drive from Lusaka. The organization has identified a high demand for its rice but cannot meet those demands due to its limited production, storage, and marketing capabilities. The eighteen month grant will be used to finance improvements to its financial systems, development of a business and marketing plan, trainings in improved agronomic practices, and purchasing milling equipment.

ZORGA is an association with 85 members located in Sefula, Western Zambia, 615 km from Lusaka. ZORGA currently produces organic rice and is looking to produce and export quality rice that is profitable for members.

The eighteen month grant USADF funding will fund a business and marketing plan, procure office equipment, and pilot the milling and marketing of rice. As a result, Association profits and member wages are anticipated to increase, securing a higher quality of life for members.

USADF began programming in Zambia in 2004. Zambia’s current portfolio stands at twenty-eight investment projects totaling over $4.8 million dollars.

By staff writer

© afrol News