Women Championing Smart Agriculture in Zambia
Munachoongo Muleya is a Monze-based farmer, smart agriculture advocate, and one of the social change agents under ActionAid Zambia. Photo: Dalitso Lungu/ActionAid
In the heart of Monze town in Zambia’s Southern Province, where visitors are warmly welcomed with a cup of freshly prepared Chibwantu, one of Zambia’s common maize-based beverages, lives an inspirational farmer, mentor, and social change agent, Munachoongo Muleya. Located about 183 kilometres from Lusaka, her community is witnessing transformation driven by her passion for agriculture and inclusive development.
Through ActionAid Zambia’s Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society and Grassroots Organisations in the Zambian Agriculture Sector Project, supported by GIZ Zambia through the Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys) project. Munachoongo has emerged as a leading advocate for smart agriculture and farmer empowerment.
Equipped with technical skills gained through project-supported trainings, she is helping translate national agricultural policies into practical solutions within her community. Her work contributes to improved implementation of agricultural frameworks promoting mechanisation, productivity, and sustainable farming practices.
Beyond her farm, Munachoongo uses media platforms to amplify farmers’ voices. Through engagements with Chikuni Mission Radio, she discusses key agricultural challenges and opportunities, ensuring farmers access timely information that helps them make informed decisions.
Her impact goes beyond advocacy. On her farm, MC & M Specialised Horticulture and Dairy Production, Munachoongo has created employment opportunities for youth and young women while strengthening local agricultural value chains.
” We are working with 150 farmers who grow sunflowers for us. We process and package the products locally,” she explains.
Her enterprise also operates an agro-shop and provides mechanisation services, including planting, spraying, harvesting, and transportation, helping small-scale farmers increase productivity and reduce labour burdens.
Munachoongo strongly believes women and young people must be at the centre of development.
“We cannot change the lives of women and youth if they are not involved from the beginning of any programme. Women are cardinal to agriculture, nearly 60 percent of agricultural labour is provided by women and young people,” she says.
In a province where mechanised agriculture has historically been limited, she is championing a shift toward modern farming and skills development. She advocates for agricultural colleges and training institutions to equip young people with practical mechanisation skills and promote internships linking students with working farms.
“Students should come to farms for internships so that learning becomes practical, farmers and students can learn from each other,” she adds.
Southern Province possesses vast agricultural potential, with over 3.57 million hectares of arable land and significant irrigation resources drawn from the Zambezi and Kafue rivers. Yet challenges such as drought and costly irrigation infrastructure continue to affect productivity.
Munachoongo believes smart agriculture and diversification are key to resilience.
“Agriculture in Zambia should not only mean maize. We must diversify and grow commercial crops, especially as climate change affects rainfall patterns.”
She emphasises the need for greater farmer awareness of agricultural policies and market opportunities, enabling farmers to position themselves within regional trade corridors and expand both local and international markets.
As Zambia advances agricultural reforms under national programmes, Munachoongo’s journey demonstrates how empowered local leaders can drive lasting change. Her story reflects the power of investing in grassroots women farmers, not only as beneficiaries, but as architects of sustainable development.