News

May 27 2009

Sweden supports farmers organization with 9 Billion kwacha

Sweden has signed an agreement with Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) to support the organization with 9 Billion kwacha during 2009-2013. The project is a cooperation between Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands.

ZNFU is Zambia’s oldest farmer organization and was founded before independence in 1964. ZNFU has got more than 200 000 members.

The financial support will be diverted to ZNFU:s work to increase access to food, increase farmers’ income, create more jobs and reduce the poverty amongst farmers. The goal with the project is, amongst other things, to strengthen ZNFU:s important roll as lobbyist and advocate for farmers in Zambia.

The majority of Zambians are farmers but agricultural only contributes with 16-20% to the GNP. Aggregate poverty rates in Zambia remains high at 64 % but in rural areas poverty levels are alarming at 80%.

Besides the 9 Billion kwacha contribution, Sweden supports ZNFU with an additional 8 billion kwacha between 2009-2012 through the Swedish NGO Swedish cooperative centre.

More News