MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

AGRICULTURE INPUTS FOR HIGH PRODUCTIVITY

One-line solution summary:

The organization focusses at empowering the peasant farmers in rural parts of Zambia while at the same sustaining the business

Pitch your solution.

The project will test the poverty levels. It will endeavor to determine the milestones of efforts being applied in reducing hunger and poverty in the rural districts in Zambia. The desired outcome is to see to it that a good number of peasant farmers are sustainable not only to cultivate crops for consumption but also acquire inputs at the start of every season unlike relying on government aid which is usually distributed late or not at all. The business will grow in that, the cultivated crops will be sold to the food reserve agency there by generating profits. It will add knowledge on the effects of agricultural development.

What specific problem are you solving?

The improvement of production and productivity Technology development is still a challenge in Zambia. Much as the vision 2030 is being followed in achieving a smart and value centered economy. Agricultural activities have far adverse effects on the environment in Zambia especially being a developing economy as it has cause-effect relationships between the economic, social, and environment. The non-maintenance of the farm blocks which existed after Independence is a challenge. The agriculture input supply management system is currently failing to sustain small scale farmers, this is because inputs are received late or not at all which leads to small scale farmers abandoning their fields and clear forests for new fields which massively leads to degradation of environment in the long run. This has been noted in the past years. The agricultural finance product development, expert financing and insurance promotion, have challenges of being achieved especially with a drastically reduced national budget. However, a larger population in Zambia relies on the staple crop which is maize, this is because the access to finance generally for purposes of diversifying is scarce.

What is your solution?

To reduce poverty in the rural parts of Zambia by 2030.
To attain zero hunger levels in the remote parts of Zambia by 2030.
To attain reduced levels of inequalities among the most vulnerable groups in the rural areas in Zambia by 2030.
To evaluate the climate Action initiatives in Zambia of agricultural activities by 2030.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Opportunities will be unlocked in that the 80% people living in extreme poverty in Zambia will be empowered and this will greatly contribute to the Vision 2030. Future funding sources are yet to be identified especially that even the national budget has allocated a bigger percentage in Economic Diversification and job creation.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Create scalable economic opportunities for local communities, including fishing, timber, tourism, and regenerative agriculture, that are aligned with thriving and biodiverse ecosystems

Explain how the problem you are addressing, the solution you have designed, and the population you are serving align with the Challenge.

The project will meet the low-income household needs by providing agricultural inputs. I expect to reach 300 beneficiaries. The direct beneficiaries are the rural farmers and the indirect beneficiaries are the people in the rural communities. The impact will be measured by carrying out a survey in the rural districts. My project will change behaviors in terms of dependency syndrome, the beneficiaries will be self-sustaining. The women and people with disabilities will be priority and needed equipment and tools will be provided to them.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Lusaka, Zambia

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model.

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution.

Rural and Urban parts of Zambia

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Fridah Mashandi