13/07/2026
ELSAM Project Hands Over Aggregation Equipment to Community-Based Aggregators in Mazabuka District
The Enhancing Livelihoods and Smallholder Agricultural Markets (ELSAM) Project has strengthened agricultural marketing in Mazabuka District through the handover of aggregation equipment to 23 Community-Based Aggregators (CBAs). The equipment, comprising digital platform scales, sieves, and tarpaulins, is expected to improve produce aggregation, quality assurance, and market access for smallholder farmers.
The equipment was officially handed over by the Mazabuka District Commissioner, Mr. Oliver C. Mulomba, during a ceremony attended by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, ELSAM Project partners, and beneficiary aggregators.
Prior to the handover, the 23 Community-Based Aggregators underwent comprehensive training facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture under the ELSAM Project. The training covered key areas including market systems, the role of aggregators under the ELSAM Project, entrepreneurship, business planning, aggregation techniques, digital aggregation, and the use of digital market platforms. The training aimed to equip the aggregators with the knowledge and skills required to efficiently coordinate produce collection, improve produce quality, and link smallholder farmers to structured and profitable markets.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, District Commissioner Mr. Oliver C. Mulomba commended the ELSAM Project and the World Food Programme (WFP) for their continued support towards improving agricultural livelihoods in Mazabuka District. He noted that empowering community-based aggregators with both technical knowledge and essential aggregation equipment would enhance farmers' access to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and contribute to increased household incomes.
Mr. Mulomba further encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the equipment responsibly and apply the skills acquired during the training to strengthen agricultural value chains within their respective communities. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Government's commitment to promoting agricultural commercialization, food security, and sustainable rural development.
The handover of aggregation equipment marks another important milestone in the implementation of the ELSAM Project in Mazabuka District. By strengthening the capacity of Community-Based Aggregators, the project is expected to improve market linkages, facilitate collective marketing, and enhance the competitiveness of smallholder farmers while contributing to increased agricultural productivity and economic resilience in the district.
The ELSAM Project is a five-year agricultural development programme in Zambia that aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing agricultural productivity, strengthening market access, and promoting climate-resilient farming practices. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the Government of Zambia under the EU Green Nexus Programme. It runs from December 2023 to November 2028 with a budget of approximately EUR 11 million.