FAO
FAO IN ZAMBIA KEY FIGURES
| Country Programming Framework | Acute Food Insecurity (Oct 2025-Mar 2026) | Prior Period (Oct 2024-Mar 2025) | Maize Price, March 2026 (Y/Y) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2027 | 1.7 million people | 5.6 million people | -25% |
The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Country Programming Framework guides its work with the Zambian government from 2023 to 2027 across five priority areas, as the number of Zambians facing acute food insecurity fell from 5.6 million in the October 2024 to March 2025 period to 1.7 million a year later.
The sharp improvement followed an above-average cereal harvest for a second consecutive season, which also pushed maize prices 25% lower year on year by March 2026.
Country Programming Framework
FAO’s Country Programming Framework with the Government of Zambia covers 2023 to 2027 and is built around five priority focus areas: increased and gender responsive productivity, production and research and development across crops, livestock, capture fisheries, aquaculture and forestry; inclusive agri-business development, marketing and trading; inclusive green growth and environmental sustainability; nutrition enhancement and social safety nets within food systems; and policy development and implementation using gender responsive, inclusive approaches[1]. The framework is aligned with Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2023 to 2027, and FAO’s own Strategic Framework 2022-2031, organised around prosperity, people, peace and planet, and targets all people in Zambia, particularly women and youth, including marginalised and vulnerable groups, across both rural and urban contexts[1].
Food Security Outlook
The number of Zambians facing acute food insecurity at IPC Phase 3 or above fell from 5.6 million in the October 2024 to March 2025 period to 1.7 million in the October 2025 to March 2026 period, according to FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System[2]. The improvement followed near to above-average rainfall across major producing areas and an above-average cereal output forecast for a second consecutive year, with Central, Copperbelt and Eastern provinces accounting for approximately half of domestic maize output[2]. Maize prices were 25% lower year on year in March 2026, with maize meal prices declining by a comparable margin, even as diesel prices rose 28% and petrol prices rose 2% over the same month[2].
Investment Opportunities
FAO’s Country Programming Framework specifically names inclusive agri-business development, marketing and trading as a standalone priority area distinct from primary production, pointing to post-harvest handling, value addition and market-access infrastructure as the segments FAO’s own Zambia programme is structured to support alongside government and private partners[1]. The framework’s parallel priority on green growth and environmental sustainability, spanning forestry alongside crops, livestock and fisheries, further marks out climate-resilient agriculture and forest-based livelihoods as areas of active donor-coordinated programming under the current framework period[1].
Last Update: September 2026
