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🌿 A Call to Put Biodiversity at the Heart of Zambia’s Future

Today’s issue of the News Diggers newspaper features a powerful article by the ZAAB National Coordinator on why biodiversity must be central to Zambia’s development and environmental policies.

As Zambia revises its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) alongside the National Agroecology Strategy and National Agriculture Policy, this moment presents a rare opportunity to align our food systems, climate commitments and development pathways with nature.

Biodiversity is not just about wildlife — it is the foundation of our food security, climate resilience, livelihoods, cultural heritage and the future of our youth. Yet it is increasingly threatened by climate change, industrial agriculture and extractive development practices.

The article highlights agroecology as a transformative, ecosystem-based solution that restores soils, protects pollinators, strengthens smallholder farmers, empowers women and connects farms, forests and waterways into healthy landscapes.

📣 At ZAAB, we believe Zambia’s prosperity must be built on the sustainable use of our natural wealth. This is not a call to stop development — but to pursue a smarter, more inclusive pathway that puts people, nature and future generations first.

Let’s use this national process to champion healthy biodiversity, climate-resilient food systems and thriving communities. 🌱


Community Technology Development Trust-zambia. Caritas Zambia FIAN International Zambia Rural Women in Agriculture Zambia Collaborative for Healthy Food Systems Zambia Climate Change Network Consumer Unity Trust Society - CUTS Lusaka Natures Organic Foods Namfumu Conservation Trust CSO SUN AFSA Khumbilo agroecology media services Knowledge Hub for Organic Agriculture in Southern Africa SCOPE Zambia a member of Rescope Programme NET Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre Zambia Rural Women's Assembly Agroecology Fund National Union for Small Scale Farmers of Zambia - Nusfaz Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition Seed and Knowledge Initiative - SKI Regional Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme

Our current food systems are at a crossroads. While aiming for production, most practices drive land degradation and loss of wild species, making our farmers vulnerable to climate shocks.

The revised NBSAP is our chance to support a different path, one where food systems work with nature, rather than against it. This requires policies that support integrated work on the ground to tackle these challenges.

How can our national plan promote food systems that nourish people and restore nature? We believe agroecology offers key answers.



Khumbilo agroecology media services AFSA Seed and Knowledge Initiative - SKI Zambia Climate Change Network Agroecology Fund Regional Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme Rural Women in Agriculture Zambia Collaborative for Healthy Food Systems Community Technology Development Trust-zambia. Natures Organic Foods Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition

A national plan is only as strong as the people who implement it. For the NBSAP to succeed on the ground, it must be built on genuine participation and gender equality.

This means:

•⁠ ⁠Actively involving farmers, indigenous communities, and local authorities in designing and monitoring actions. Their knowledge is science, too.
•⁠ ⁠Ensuring women have equal voice and leadership roles. As primary managers of natural resources and household food security in many communities, their insights are critical.
•⁠ ⁠Creating accessible channels for all citizens to engage in biodiversity governance.

We need to move beyond consultation to co-creation. An inclusive NBSAP is a legitimate, trusted, and ultimately more effective NBSAP.