Zambia, May 2025
Elaboration of Concept Notes
Background
Zambia has developed its Third Generation National Rice Development Strategy (TNRDS) to run from 2022 to 2026 but the Concept Notes then developed were not implemented due to inoperability of the Task Force. With the appointment of a new Focal Point, NRDS activities have gained momentum. This included updating of the Concept Notes to align them with the current context of agricultural production in Zambia and with rice sector.
Methodology
The working week (WW) was Organized at Sandy’s Creation Lodge in Lusaka, during the 5th week of May (27th – 30th). It was attended by participants from the public and private sectors namely, Ministry of Agriculture, University of Zambia -School of Agriculture, Agriculture Consultative Forum, Zambia Rice Federation, Seed Control and Certification Institute, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, and Zambia Research Institute, who contributed with their views on the future of the development of the rice sub-sector.
The opening remarks were addressed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture who welcomed the participants and presented the importance and objectives of the workshop. This opportunity was also used to present the activities of the “Market Oriented Rice Development Project, MoReDeP Project” funded by Japan International Development Agency as an example of good practices that could serve as inspiration for elaboration of Concept Notes.
Results
At the end of the workshop on day 4 (May 30, 2025), the participants came up with a total of six concept notes covering the main priorities of the TNRDS as shown in the table below. During the way forward sessions, Task Force Members discussed on how to approach donors for fundraising for the implementation of TNRDS Projects using concept notes and identified several occasions.
| Project Title | Duration (Years) | Key Target | Budget (USD) | |
| 1 | Development of Improved Rice Varieties and Multiplication of Early Generational Seed in Zambia | 4 | 25% yield increase | 850,000 |
| 2 | Multiplication and Distribution of Certified Seed for Improved Rice Varieties in Zambia | 3 | 1,500 MT seeds distributed | 1,000,000 |
| 3 | Strengthening Extension Services for Increased Rice Production | 3 | Train 200 extension officers | 3,650,000 |
| 4 | Development and Rehabilitation of Irrigation Infrastructure for increased Rice production in Zambia |
5 |
5,000 ha irrigated |
12,000,000 |
| 5 | Enhancing the Competitiveness of Zambia’s Rice Sector | 3 | Link 70% farmers to markets | 2,100,000 |
| 6 | Strengthening Coordination among Stakeholders in the Rice Industry in Zambia” |
2 |
Coordinated rice industry |
900,000 |
| Estimated Total Cost | 20,500,000 | |||
Opening remarks by the Director (Dep of Agriculture, MoA)
Presentation of MOReDEP Project activities
