We are farmers at heart.
Zasaka uses market-based approaches to help farmers create lasting income. We introduce affordable, appropriate technologies and work with farmers to grow and market high-value crops through local entrepreneurs.
In the past year, we have:
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Established a crop diversification program with
40 farmers in Zambia’s Eastern Province.
- Raised maize yields for these farmers by an estimated 75%
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Introduced 5 tested technologies to reduce labor demands and increase farm profitability.
This farmer group has seen 2X increase in income from their
increased yields and access to new crop markets and technologies. Plus, 100% of
these farmers have re-elected to join the program next year!
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Through Zasaka and our team of lead farmers, this group will grow to reach 800 farmers in just 3 years! Help us reach our next group of 40 amazing farmers and watch us grow! Make a
contribution today.
We are Zasaka's founders
Sunday was born and raised in Zambia. His passion for alleviating poverty, improving the lives of farmers, and gender equity drove him to work for organizations like Heifer International and get his degree in Developmental Studies from Zambia Catholic University.
Carl grew up on a wheat farm in Northern Idaho and farming is in his blood. He has worked with subsistence farmers in several countries around the world, but he now calls Zambia home. At UC Davis he studied International Agricultural Development focused on soil management (how dirty!) and entrepreneurship.
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We truly love legumes. We monkey around with maize. We have fun on the farm. Thank you for supporting Zasaka!
Scaling impact
The new group of 40 farmers we will reach through your support, has 1 lead farmer (we call
them farmer-preneurs), and 1 apprentice. This seed group will grow to reach 800 farmers in just 3 years!
Here’s how it’s done:
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Our partners help by nominating local, entrepreneurial lead farmers to be farmer-preneurs and apprentices. Our trainings help these leaders build the capacity of their community of farmers, and increase their own earnings.
Your funds go to getting the technologies, trainings, and
crops in the hands of these farmers. Check out the details on corn shellers,
cowpea seeds, water pumps, and more, plus the awesome rewards you will get for
supporting our work. The product catalogue is on our website.
Risks and challenges
Working with rural farmers comes with risks &
challenges. The weather can affect the growing season as well as our team’s
ability to reach every farmer. Prices of and access to seeds and other farming
inputs can fluctuate over time. We work to reduce risk by strategies including:
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investing in the training and leadership of our
farmer-preneurs,
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creating distribution and training partnerships,
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carefully mapping our growth in the region,
- promoting crop diversity while including
improved practices for staple crops.
Without these funds, Zasaka will continue to grow, but much more slowly. We create revenue through the new technologies we have introduced in agrodealer shops and the sales of our crops. Our business model is working, and we need your help to grow quickly to serve more farmers.
Spread the word!
Let others know about Zasaka and how they can help!
Tweet your support
Make your contribution by selecting a perk level -->
Thank you!
From Zambia with love,
Team Zasaka
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- Zambia's beautiful Eastern Provence, photo by Dimitri Zakharov
Big thanks to Josh Hyde, LoFu Productions for our video!
