Tukula Farmer Project

The Tukula Farmer Project operates in Eastern Province, with activities concentrated in:

• Chipata (headquarters and seed processing centre)
• Kasenengwa District
• Katete District

Expansion plans target other surrounding districts through farmer cooperatives and agro-dealer networks.

Target Beneficiaries

The project directly benefits:

• 1,000+ smallholder farmers, primarily women and youth
• With indirect benefits reaching over 5,000 household members across Eastern Zambia

Beneficiaries receive seed loans, agronomy training, crop protection inputs, and market access. The model promotes inclusive participation by prioritizing women and youth in farming and agri-business.

Core Components

1. Seed Loan Facility:
   Farmers receive certified cowpea seed on credit, with repayment after harvest — removing the barrier of upfront input costs.
2. Agronomic Training:
   Capacity building in good agricultural practices (GAP), pest management, and post-harvest handling to improve yields and quality.
3. Market Linkages:
   Guaranteed off-take arrangements ensure farmers have stable markets and fair prices for their produce.
4. Seed Production & Distribution:
   Establishment of a 1,200MT-capacity warehouse and agro-shop for seed multiplication, packaging, and supply.
5. Gender and Youth Empowerment:
   The project actively recruits and trains women and youth to promote equitable participation in the agricultural value chain.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased access to quality certified seed for smallholder farmers
• Improved farmer productivity and household food security
• Enhanced income and financial resilience for participating households
• Strengthened local seed systems and market linkages
• Greater participation of women and youth in agribusiness

Sustainability

Lamish is building a self-sustaining revolving seed loan fund that allows farmers to continuously access inputs each season.
Training-of-trainers (ToT) approaches and digital farmerdatabases ensure long-term impact and traceability.