Launch Ceremony of the FY2024 Japanese Supplementary Budget Project “Climate Smart Smallholder Farming for Productive, Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture in Zambia”
2025/11/4
On 30th October 2025, Mr. Ominato Satoshi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan, attended the launch ceremony of the project “Climate Smart Smallholder Farming for Productive, Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture in Zambia,” funded by the Japanese government’s supplementary budget for FY2024 and implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) with the budget up to 1 million USD, held in Monze District, Southern Province.
This project targets approximately 1,000 smallholders in five drought-affected districts—Mazabuka and Monze (Southern Province), Chipangali (Eastern Province), Maimwene (Central Province), and Kambilombilo (Copperbelt Province)—which suffered severe damage during the 2023/2024 agricultural season due to the El Niño phenomenon, reportedly the worst drought in Zambia’s history.
Utilising advanced Japanese technologies provided by NEC Corporation, including satellite imagery, AI and data analytics, the project aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, and foster resilient and sustainable farming systems against drought.
The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including Dr. Kapulu, Director of the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), representing the Guest of Honour, Mr. Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as Mr. Mwanza, Monze District Commissioner, and Mr. Gondwe, Deputy Head of Programmes Officer-in-Charge, of the WFP Zambia Office, among others.
At the project site in Monze District, participants observed NEC’s satellite- and AI-based system “CropScope” and the irrigation facilities installed under the project, and confirmed the healthy growth of crops.
Mr. Ominato stated that the project embodies the spirit of the theme “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa” that was presented at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama this August. He emphasised that the project contributes to strengthening agricultural systems and enhancing resilience against poverty and food insecurity.
Dr. Kapulu expressed the Zambian Government’s gratitude to the Government of Japan, stating that Zambia continues to promote digital innovation and technology in agriculture to achieve sustainable farming and inclusive rural transformation, thereby strengthening national food security.
Building upon more than six decades of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, the Government of Japan will continue to support Zambia’s agricultural development and climate change response efforts.
To read the speech by Mr. Ominato, please click here.
This project targets approximately 1,000 smallholders in five drought-affected districts—Mazabuka and Monze (Southern Province), Chipangali (Eastern Province), Maimwene (Central Province), and Kambilombilo (Copperbelt Province)—which suffered severe damage during the 2023/2024 agricultural season due to the El Niño phenomenon, reportedly the worst drought in Zambia’s history.
Utilising advanced Japanese technologies provided by NEC Corporation, including satellite imagery, AI and data analytics, the project aims to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, and foster resilient and sustainable farming systems against drought.
The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including Dr. Kapulu, Director of the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), representing the Guest of Honour, Mr. Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as Mr. Mwanza, Monze District Commissioner, and Mr. Gondwe, Deputy Head of Programmes Officer-in-Charge, of the WFP Zambia Office, among others.
At the project site in Monze District, participants observed NEC’s satellite- and AI-based system “CropScope” and the irrigation facilities installed under the project, and confirmed the healthy growth of crops.
Mr. Ominato stated that the project embodies the spirit of the theme “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa” that was presented at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama this August. He emphasised that the project contributes to strengthening agricultural systems and enhancing resilience against poverty and food insecurity.
Dr. Kapulu expressed the Zambian Government’s gratitude to the Government of Japan, stating that Zambia continues to promote digital innovation and technology in agriculture to achieve sustainable farming and inclusive rural transformation, thereby strengthening national food security.
Building upon more than six decades of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, the Government of Japan will continue to support Zambia’s agricultural development and climate change response efforts.
To read the speech by Mr. Ominato, please click here.