Faith M. Lubinga

Malnutrition has remained stubbornly high amongst Zambians over the past decade, especially amongst the rural households. Zambia is one of the countries with the highest levels of undernourishment in the world with a prevalence of about 45% (FAO et. al., 2018). One of the major contributors to the high malnutrition levels are the high poverty levels experienced in the rural areas, estimated to be around 76% (CSO, 2015). It is against this background that Musika, using its market oriented approach, envisions contributing towards a reduction in malnutrition levels amongst the rural households across the country through the “Making Zambia’s Agricultural Markets Work for Nutrition” initiative. Under this specific project, Musika seeks to achieve increased consumption of a diverse range of nutritious foods among poor Zambians, especially amongst women and children and within smallholder farming and rural communities.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented global public health and economic crises. The effect of the pandemic has been felt by all key stakeholders, most especially the private sector as it has continued to impact on their business operations. This study specifically takes a snap shot of the effect of the pandemic on the private sector operating in the agricultural sector.

This report was generated to serve as a reference document for Musika and its implementing partners. Musika Development Initiatives (Musika) is a non-profit company that works to stimulate private sector investments in rural and agricultural markets.

This report was generated to serve as a reference document for Musika Development Initiatives (Musika) and World Food Programme (WFP). Musika is a non-profit company that works to stimulate private sector investments in rural agricultural markets. It achieves this by helping businesses to develop mutually beneficial and transparent commercial relationships with smallholders that integrate the provision of information and technology adoption, and provide confidence and long term incentives for smallholders to invest in their farming business.

The Annual Household Survey (AHS), is primarily conducted to test the validity of Musika’s theory of change for generating impact at household level, on an annual basis. The data from the survey is presented in a descriptive format, and helps to offer insights on what the potential effect of Musika’s interventions have been at household-level. It also offers lessons in areas where Musika requires making improvements.

The Annual Household Survey (AHS), is primarily conducted to test the validity of Musika’s theory of change for generating impact at household level, on an annual basis. The data from the survey is presented in a descriptive format, and helps to offer insights on what the potential effect of Musika’s interventions have been at household-level. It also offers lessons in areas where Musika requires making improvements.

Musika’s methodology involves facilitating the creation of a beneficial market environment that supports improved access to markets that in turn stimulates higher levels of farmer investment in production and productivity. The changes in farmers’ levels of production, productivity, incomes and general livelihoods as a result of their access to improved markets have all been measured, and positive results have so far been recorded. However, through this survey, Musika sought to identify the indirect spin-off effects, if any, of its interventions on the socio-economic status of the communities within which the interventions are taking place.