German-Zambian Agricultural Training and Knowledge Center (AKTC), Phase 3

Duration:

08/2021 - 12/2025

Client:

German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)

URL:

https://www.bmel-kooperationsprogramm.de/projekte/sambia/deutsch-sambisches-agrartrainings-und-wissenszentrum/

Services:

Type:

Abroad

Budget:

EUR 3.77 million

Client type:

Public

Regions:

Zambia

AKTC

The AKTC is a public-private partnership (PPP) funded under the BMEL Economic Partnership Program. Key partners include the BMEL, the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture, the Zambian National Farmers' Union (ZNFU), the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) and leading German manufacturers of agricultural machinery, chemicals and solar equipment.

It is located at the GART research station near Chisamba, about 70 km north of Lusaka, Zambia, and has 100 ha of arable land for demonstration and experimental purposes.

Project objective

As a regional agricultural competence center, the AKTC contributes to the modernization and sustainable development of agriculture in Zambia and the surrounding region by promoting climate-resilient production methods. Phase 3 builds on previous successes and focuses on supporting farmers and multipliers (incl. extension service providers and lecturers). The AKTC is to be further developed into a regional competence center for climate-resilient agriculture.

An important milestone in Phase 3 is the integration of Climate Adapted Farming Methods (CAFM), which were introduced in 2019. The component serves to test and demonstrate mechanized, conservation agriculture methods in additional rainfed agriculture to promote sustainable and efficient cultivation methods. The knowledge gained will be shared in a regional working group for climate-resilient agriculture together with a network of regional partners.

Expansion to regenerative agriculture and agroecology

Since 2023, the project has included a small demonstration farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture and agroecology. As part of the RAINES (Regenerative Agriculture for Improvement of Nutrition and Environmental Sustainability) sub-project, the initiative aims to demonstrate innovative and locally adapted farming methods for a broad target audience, including smallholder farmers. The aim is to improve climate resilience in Zambia by promoting sustainable agricultural methods.

Innovative irrigation solutions

In 2020, the project introduced a pioneering irrigation service offered by an AKTC business partner. The “Variable Rain” system uses satellite-based remote sensing technology to optimize irrigation schedules and water distribution, significantly improving water efficiency and conservation.

Intended project results

Representatives of target and intermediary groups receive training, advice and practical demonstrations in the application of modern technologies, sustainable methods of crop production and the efficient use of modern agricultural technologies and inputs.
Knowledge on climate-resilient agriculture is actively applied and shared by local and regional experts.
The AKTC-RAIN farm has created the necessary conditions for testing and developing agroecological methods and the principles of the circular economy.

Implementer

GOPA AFC GmbH is the lead partner in the consortium with DLG Markets GmbH, IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH and DEULA Nienburg GmbH.

Phases 1 and 2 were successfully carried out by the same consortium and long-term project team.