Agriculture Reforms Near Passage

Stakeholders call for support to strengthen resilience and private sector growth

Warehouse receipts and registration systems unlock financing opportunities

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (18-02-2026) –

Zambia’s agriculture sector could soon undergo major reforms as Parliament considers three key bills aimed at strengthening market systems, improving farmer financing, and promoting private sector-led growth, stakeholders have said.

The proposed Agricultural Marketing Bill, Food Reserve Bill, and Agricultural Credit and Warehouse Receipts Bill are part of the government’s 2025/2026 agricultural reform agenda, designed to modernize markets, ensure timely payments to farmers, and provide access to financing through warehouse receipt systems.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on agricultural policy reform in Lusaka, Dr. Brian Mulenga, Executive Director of the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), said the Agricultural Marketing Bill aims to establish clear procedures for export decisions and market interventions.

“The bill is designed to enhance transparency and improve consultations between government authorities, farmers, and market actors when making decisions that affect prices and trade,” Dr. Mulenga said. 

“This is critical in a sector where unclear policies and delayed decisions have historically affected farmer incomes and market stability.”

Dr. Mulenga further explained that the Agricultural Credit and Warehouse Receipts Bill would allow crops stored in certified warehouses to serve as collateral for loans.

“This provision is expected to significantly increase farmers’ access to financing, enabling them to invest in inputs, equipment, and other productivity-enhancing measures,” he said.

Prof. Frank Kayula, President of the National Union for Small Scale Farmers in Zambia, emphasized that the proposed reforms offer tangible benefits to farmers.

“The Agricultural Marketing Bill will require both farmers and grain traders to register before engaging in trade. This registration system will help protect farmers from unfair practices and improve market accountability,” Prof. Kayula said.

He also noted that the Food Reserve Bill, if properly implemented, could resolve longstanding issues of delayed payments to farmers, ensuring timely compensation for their produce.

“If these bills are enacted, farmers will have more certainty in the market and better opportunities to grow their businesses,” Prof. Kayula said.

Prof. Kayula called on lawmakers to support the three bills, describing them as “non-controversial” but critical to strengthening the agriculture sector.

Supporting this view, Yotam Mkandawire, Executive Director of the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, said the agriculture market currently faces significant uncertainty.

“The proposed legislative reforms will provide clear rules for marketing, storage, and credit access, reducing risk and encouraging investment in the sector,” Mkandawire said.

 “Enacting these bills is necessary to stabilize trade and build trust among farmers, traders, and government institutions.”

IAPRI has played a pivotal role in supporting the reforms by providing technical expertise and evidence-based analysis. 

The institute has facilitated high-level discussions with Members of Parliament from committees on Agriculture, Lands, Trade, Labor, Budget, and National Economy, focusing on the bills’ long-term impacts on productivity, regional trade, and market stability.

Analysts say that together, the three bills could foster a more predictable and transparent agricultural market, support farmer empowerment, and stimulate investment—key elements for Zambia’s goal of achieving sustainable agricultural growth and food security.

“These reforms, reinforced by broader programs like the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Program (CASP), represent a decisive pivot toward private sector-led growth and a resilient, market-oriented agriculture economy,” Dr. Mulenga said.