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Introduction:
The Northern Province of Zambia is predominantly an agricultural region with a focus on farming, fishing, and trading. The economy here is largely driven by agriculture, with most of the population engaged in subsistence farming. Major crops produced include cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnuts, beans, maize, and rice. This page outlines the investment opportunities in agriculture and highlights the province’s leading agricultural sectors.
Economic Overview:
Agriculture is the primary economic activity in Northern Province. While there are a few commercial farmers, most are subsistence farmers. The region is noted for producing cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnuts, beans, maize, and rice. It ranks fourth in maize production and second in groundnut and cassava production in Zambia. The increasing production of millet and beans meets both local and industrial demand.
Investment Opportunities:
Northern Province offers various investment opportunities in agriculture, including:
Coffee is a significant crop in Northern Province, particularly in Kasama, Mungwi, and Mbala Districts. The region, which can be considered as the “Coffee Hub” of Zambia, contributes about 50% of the country’s coffee exports. With favorable climatic conditions, including rainfall and temperature, the province is well-suited for high-quality coffee production.
The ideal conditions for coffee production are found in Kasama, Mungwi, and Mbala Districts. These areas benefit from an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 meters and consistent rainfall, which are perfect for cultivating high-quality coffee.
However, beyond these primary districts, other areas within the province also offer excellent conditions for coffee growing. With abundant rainfall and suitable irrigation sources, the entire region supports continuous and successful coffee production.
Sugar has been one of Zambia’s main exports for over three decades, with the establishment of Zambia Sugar Company PLC (formerly Nakambala Sugar Estates) in Mazabuka in Southern Province. Zambia produces world-class sugar that competes favorably on the international market. At the moment however, the country is unable to satisfy the demand of the export market. Northern Province has great potential for the establishment of sugarcane plantations. Currently, only Kasama Sugar Estate; one of the three sugar companies in the country, is producing sugar in the Province. Sugar production in Northern Province is far from meeting both the local and export market demands. The Province has enormous water and land resources in the form of hydromorphic areas (marsh or wetlands or dambos) with favorable climatic conditions for commercial sugarcane production that is possible even under irrigation.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has long been a vital cash crop in Northern Province, with significant cultivation taking place on the Chambeshi Flood Plains and in the lake depressions of the Bangweulu and Mweru-wa-Ntipa swamps. Despite the province’s abundant water resources, suitable land, and favorable climate, current rice production remains insufficient.
Rice is not only a crucial cash crop but also a high-value, low-input crop that requires less fertilizer compared to maize. It offers a more nutritious and digestible alternative to many other cereals.
The demand for rice in Zambia exceeds local production, leading to reliance on imports from other countries. However, Northern Province’s extensive rice-growing areas and optimal agro-climatic conditions position it as a potential “Rice Belt” of Zambia. With the right investment, the province could significantly increase rice production, offering substantial returns for investors.
The Provincial Administration - Northern Province is an extension of Central Government (Cabinet Office) at Provincial level and has a mandate to provide administrative secretariat and coordinate effective implementation of national programmes and policies in the Province.
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