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Hello ,
As we do every year, we arranged the AFAS Award Day for 47 farmers whom Jacana has now been supporting for four years. During this day, farmers from Lundazi, Chipata and Petauke came together to take part in fun activities and learn from one another. At the end of the day, there is always an awards ceremony to honour the best farmer of the year. This farmer receives 10,000 Kwacha. This year, for the second time, the award went to the youngest farmer: Morris Ngoma.
Below you can read Morris Ngoma’s story and why farmers voted him to be Farmer of the Year.
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Morris (second from right) and his family
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From uncertainty to stability:
How sustainable farming practices have transformed a smallholder farmer’s livelihood.
Background
Morris Ngoma is a 23 year old small holder farmer who comes from a family of 7 children, 2 boys and 5 girls. He lives in Kalumelinga village under Chief Misholo, Chiparamba area in Kasenengwa District. Due to financial challenges at home, Morris only completed his junior secondary school, grade 9.
When Morris reflects on past farming seasons, he remembers the uncertainty that defined his livelihood. Despite years of experience, Morris and his family struggled with low productivity, ever rising input costs and limited access to practical farming knowledge.
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“Farming felt more like survival than a business, as a family we worked hard every season, but the results were always the same,” Morris recounts.
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The challenge
Like many farmers in Zambia, Morris relied on conventional farming practices that were labour intensive and vulnerable to climate uncertainties. He mainly did his farming in the rainy season due to a number of reasons:
Water shortage during dry season: his garden lacked a reliable water source.
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- Lack of knowledge on how to plan and successfully run a business.
- Lack of skill and knowledge of sustainable farming: poor farming techniques, poor planning, and limited use of climate-smart practices resulted in poor yields and low income. Morris lacked the confidence and tools to independently manage his farm in a sustainable and profitable way.
- Lack of exposure to irrigation technology and access to irrigation tools.
- Lack of security from animals and theft of farm produce.
The project
In 2022, Morris was selected to participate in the 5 year AFAS Project, “From auto-pilot to champion farmer” implemented by Jacana and made possible by the AFAS Foundation. An approach designed to empower farmers with skills in farming as a serious business, sustainable farming and organic vegetable production. The project helps farmers to make informed decisions independently while building long-term resilience by growing and supplying high value crops starting on a lima experimental plot (50x50m) and later expanding.
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Through the AFAS project, Morris received:
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- Business, financial and marketing planning training.
- A partly sponsored borehole and solar pump to ease irrigation.
- Hands-on training in sustainable farming practices thus: Organic fertilizer making, organic pest management, land preparation and organic vegetable production, fruit tree training and pruning.
- Regular -on farm- monitoring and guidance in planning and general crop management.
- Guidance in bookkeeping (also using the Jacana mobile application).
- Agro support (partly sponsored agro supplies and inputs).
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A Champion Emerges
Within one farming season, Morris began to experience significant changes. Crop establishment improved, yields increased and production costs reduced due to better planning and efficient use of inputs including locally made organic fertilisers and organic pesticides.
For the first time, Morris harvested enough to meet household food needs and sell surplus produce. Unlike in the past Morris is now able to produce a wide variety of vegetables including garlic, lettuce, beetroot, cabbage, carrots etcetera.
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Beyond production gains, Morris is seen as a champion farmer in his community. Fellow farmers now seek his advice on land preparation, pest and disease management, planting methods and seasonal planning. He is also a host for other organisation who want to train their beneficiaries in sustainable farming practices.
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Morris explains to visitors his experience in farming.
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Award winner
Every year the AFAS project awards the best performing farmers with a cash price to purchase farming inputs or tools, Morris was two times the best implementer of the year. Using his best farmer award money and the projects’ agro support, he managed to improve his irrigation method by fencing his field, installing a tank and drip irrigation system. His garden is now secured with wire fence to keep the stray animals away.
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“The AFAS project helped me believe in my own decisions, I always had the desire to grow crops of high value using sustainable methods but couldn’t. I am now excited that I’m able to grow my business and income". Morris
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The Future
Morris is committed to expanding the practices learned under the AFAS project across all his fields and mentoring other farmers in Chiparamba area. His journey from dependency and lack of skill to leadership reflects the AFAS Project’s vision of building self-driven, knowledgeable, and resilient farmers who can sustainably transform their livelihoods.
With the last award money Morris intends to purchase a motorbike for easy transportation of farm produce. He also plans to further expand his garden and integrate farming activities with fish farming.
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Morris Ngomas’ story demonstrates how the AFAS project approach is not only improving yields, but also cultivating confident role model farmers capable of driving agricultural transformation in Chipata District and beyond.
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Will we meet you after ZAWAFE on 12th June in Lusaka?
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ZAWAFE (Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition) is the flagship for dialogue, partnership-building and knowledge exchange among stakeholders in the water, sanitation, environment and development sectors.
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Mini-forum “Scaling though (supported) self-supply”.
Honouring this year’s ZAWAFE title: “From commitment to Action” the 1 day extra mini forum offers the opportunity to physically experience and participate in some practical approaches to reach SDG 6.1.
Includes physical field participation sessions on:
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- portable solar pumps (https://portablesolarpumps.com)
- borehole siting
- manual drilling
- rope pumps
- water filters
Presentations and discussions on:
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- Scaling up Portable Solar Pumps, experiences of 1100+ users
- Reaching SDG 6.1 in rural areas with supported self-supply and how to include SMEs (self-supply.com)
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Organised by Jacana and the MetaMeta SMART Centre Group.
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Interested?
Location: Lusaka
Time: 9 AM to 17 PM 12 June 2026
Cost: $30/person (this includes lunch)
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