Producer Profile -

Who are the Producers?

For too long, smallholder farmers have been seen as high-risk. The THRIVE 2030 Programme shatters this misconception, presenting a model of organized and market-ready producers. This isn't charity; it's a strategic investment in a resilient and diverse supply chain. By connecting you to these producer groups, you can bypass fragmentation, streamline input supply, introduce modern processing, and create direct market links that generate significant returns for you as an input supplier, processor or commodity trader. This is more than an investment in a supply chain; it's an investment in a sustainable and profitable future for Zambian agriculture.

Demographics and Organization for profiled producer groups

Our producers are predominantly smallholder farming families, with women and youth making up a significant share of the membership. Women are especially active in beans, groundnuts, and horticulture production, though they face productivity constraints linked to limited access to appropriate technology. Youth, on the other hand, are increasingly taking a leading role in horticulture and livestock value chains, attracted by shorter production cycles and market dynamism. Each producer group operates as a community-based unit, which simplifies aggregation, training, and input-output distribution

Strategic Locations

The producers are located in 11 Area Programmes spread across Zambia’s most agriculturally vibrant districts: Buyantanshi, Bwacha, Choongo, Hamaundu, Keembe, Luampa, Mawa, Mayanga, Mpanshya, Mpima, and Musosolokwe. These sites align with high-potential agro-ecological zones, ensuring diverse production across Central, Southern, Eastern, and Western provinces. Their geographic spread reduces climatic and market risks, while also providing investors with access to varied commodities across multiple regions.

Investing in Human Potential

This investment is an opportunity to partner with a dynamic and diverse workforce. Our network has a strong female majority, with 11,670 women actively involved. This focus on gender inclusivity not only empowers women but also unlocks significant productive potential. Furthermore, we are cultivating the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. The largest demographic is women under 35, with 5,569 participants. This infusion of young, energetic talent guarantees the long-term sustainability and innovative capacity of the entire network.

Value Chains and Marketable Volumes

The producer groups focus on high-demand value chains, which already demonstrate substantial aggregated volumes:

Beans – over 7,558 producers, marketing approximately 857,000 kg annually. With regional shortages and urban consumption growth, beans offer immediate opportunities for processing into flour, fortified foods, and exports.
Groundnuts – around 2,726 producers, producing 149,000 kg annually. Value addition into peanut butter, edible oils, and feed presents significant margins.
Goats – creating livelihoods and prosperity for thousands.
Dairy – about 1,588 producers, producing 107,000 liters annually, with processing potential into yoghurt, butter, and cheese.
Horticulture –
approximately 2,730 producers, marketing 225,000 kg annually of vegetables and fruits. Processing into tomato paste, dried vegetables, and juices offers scalable investment entry points.
Secondary value chains – rice, chickens, sweet corn, and soybeans—further diversify the portfolio, strengthening resilience and spreading income streams

Partner with us to fuel a powerful engine for economic development, drive inclusive growth, and secure a stake in the future of food in Zambia.

The Investment Case

Collectively, the producers generate volumes substantial enough to sustain consistent supply chains, yet they remain under-capitalized in technology, processing, and market access. This is where investors can make a transformative impact.

Aggregation power: With over 43,500 individual producers, demand for inputs, mechanization, and financial products is aggregated and predictable.
Market linkage potential: Producers are integrated into World Vision’s THRIVE 2030 framework, which links them to structured markets and ensures compliance with quality standards.
Value addition opportunities: Current production is mostly sold raw. Investment in small to medium processing enterprises will unlock higher margins and reduce post-harvest losses.
Social impact and ESG alignment: Investment directly empowers women and youth, addresses rural poverty, and builds resilience in climate-vulnerable communities.