Private Observer

Rural Women and Youth Drive Innovation in Agricultural Value Addition

By Samuel Mbewe

In rural communities across Zambia, a quiet revolution is taking shape one led by women and youth who are turning traditional agricultural produce into innovative, value-added products. From sweet Kawawasha treats to dried local vegetables, these entrepreneurs are breathing new life into local agribusiness.

However, despite their creativity and determination, many small-scale processors continue to face challenges that prevent them from breaking into competitive markets. Poor packaging, lack of machinery, and limited access to funding remain some of the biggest hurdles standing in their way.

At this year’s 97th Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show, held under the theme “Adapting to Climate Change,” the Kabangwe West Women’s Cooperative showcased a variety of locally processed goods including Kawawasha sweets, Mabuyu drinks, and other traditional delicacies.

Chairlady Thandi Rubbie expressed both pride in their achievements and frustration at the barriers they face.

“As women, we are finding it difficult to compete effectively despite producing appealing processed goods,” Mrs. Rubbie said. “If these products were well packaged, we could earn a lot of money and support widows and other vulnerable women in our cooperative.”

She explained that most of their production is still done manually due to a lack of proper equipment. The cooperative has since applied for support under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and is appealing to the government and other stakeholders to help them acquire machinery that could scale up production and improve product quality.

Meanwhile, in Mwembeshi, another women-led initiative is finding creative ways to preserve local produce. Mildred Chitule from the Mutema Mbezo Cooperative proudly described how her group designed a simple but effective vegetable dryer to preserve foods such as ciwawa, mushrooms, rape, cassava, and sweet potatoes.

“The dryer is made to keep the dried vegetables clean and hygienic. It has a zip to stop flies and dust from contaminating the food,” Mrs. Chitule explained. “Now we need to focus on proper packaging so we can sell our products competitively, even in chain stores.”

These stories highlight a growing wave of rural innovation driven by necessity and resilience. With the right support  especially in packaging, branding, and access to machinery  such initiatives could transform local agriculture, create jobs, and empower thousands of rural women and youth across Zambia.

As Zambia continues to adapt to climate change, these cooperatives offer a glimpse of what sustainable, community-led development can look like  built on ingenuity, hard work, and a shared vision for a better future.