Crop Production
Medicinal and Nutritional Vegetables
Along with the production of indigenous vegetables, AgriSmart also promotes the production of crops which a high nutritional value. These include orange flesh sweet potato, which were previously unknown in the region. As it has been proven that one cup of orange flesh sweet potato has sufficient Vitamin A and D for the standard Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of these vital vitamins, this is a very valuable resource in the quest for improved nutrition.
We also assist small farmers with the choice of crops which have a good market demand, provide them with the seeds or seedlings and teach them the correct production methods for these crops and also assist them to find market outlets for their produce. These include chillies, cabbages, butternuts, green beans and tomatoes.
AgriSmart Zambia has also introduced production of the highly nutritious Moringa tree (Moringa Oleifera also as Drumstick tree). This plant is native to India and in recent years it has gained global popularity as a “superfood” for its highly nutritious profile and powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-protective properties among many other health benefits. In addition to its remarkable nutritional and medicinal benefits, the Moringa tree is also quite “water wise” the limited additional water should be enough to sustain the cultivation of these trees.
The information on the Moringa tree is based on information from the academic publication titled: “Nutritional Assessment of Moringa (Moringa spp.) from Ghana, Senegal and Zambia” by H. Rodolfo Juliani, Yudy Fonesca, Dan Acquaye, Halimu Malumo, D.Malainy and James E. Simon.
New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, School of Biological and natural Resources, Rutgers University, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520
Agribusiness in Natural African Plant Product (ASNAPP – Ghana), Accra, Ghana
ASNAPP – Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
ASNAPP- Senegal, Dakar, Senegal
Livestock
AgriSmart Zambia is also currently implementing an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector through better management of grazing practices. This is done through promoting climate smart feeding systems and demonstrations in feed management and pasture establishment. Training dairy farmers and assisting them to implement climate sensitive animal husbandry practices will thus increase their milk productions and also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of their herds.
This project forms part of the SPG Grant Project of the United Nations Office of Project Services (“UNOPS”) financed by the Global Environment Facility /Small Grants Programme (“GEF SGP”).
AgriSmart Zambia has also introduced production of the highly nutritious Moringa tree (Moringa Oleifera also as Drumstick tree). This plant is native to India and in recent years it has gained global popularity as a “superfood” for its highly nutritious profile and powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-protective properties among many other health benefits. In addition to its remarkable nutritional and medicinal benefits, the Moringa tree is also quite “water wise” the limited additional water should be enough to sustain the cultivation of these trees.
