Zambia-Iowa Agricultural Partners is focused on long-term sustainable development assisting smallholder farmers to engage in a successful farming business sufficient to meet the needs of their families and strengthen their communities. This differs from relief and rehabilitation work, each having their place in meeting the needs of people in crisis.

 

Relief work meets short term needs without solving the underlying problems that brought about crises. During a severe drought with resulting total crop failure, imported food on a temporary basis may be required until the drought abates, and crops are harvested. 

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Rehabilitation work restores what was lost during a crisis, either natural or man-made. This involves
identifying and working with community resources and skilled community members to restore
businesses, infrastructure, and services to precrisis levels. During times of severe flooding, erosion in
farm fields, washed out roads, destroyed homes and grain storage may occur. Though some temporary
relief may be needed, the primary goal is to assist local community leaders and businesses to rebuild
what was lost.

Development work identifies area strengths and needs with a focus on empowering individuals, leaders, and communities to develop skills and solve existing often entrenched problems bringing about lasting change. It involves building long-term, time-consuming relationships. In the Petauke District of Zambia, subsistence farmers have a long-standing harvest method of cutting corn at the base of the stalks and removing the entire stalk instead of harvesting the ear and leaving the stalk in the field. This results in less soil organic matter and little resiliency during drought. Education in alternate harvest methods is one strategy to improve yields during years with challenging conditions. Change requires building trust in the educator, continued encouragement, and accountability. The farmer must see evidence of improvement to embrace lasting change.

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