Measure What Matters

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At Zambia Iowa Agricultural Partners (ZIAP), growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about equipping farmers with practical tools, building trust in communities, and measuring real results in the field. Over the past year, we’ve seen encouraging progress on all fronts.

Program Growth and Early Impact

ZIAP has experienced significant expansion in both reach and capacity. Our network of lead trainers has grown from 20 to 33, and demonstration plots have increased from just 5 to 51 across multiple provinces. These plots serve as hands-on learning environments where farmers can observe and apply improved agronomic practices in real time.

Through this growth, our trainers have reached more than 10,000 farmers this season—up from approximately 2,000 last year. This rapid increase reflects strong local engagement and growing confidence in ZIAP’s approach. Farmers are not only attending trainings, they are adopting the methods and seeing visible differences in their fields.

With consistent rainfall this season, early images and reports from trainers suggest healthy crop development and the potential for significantly improved yields. While these observations are promising, we are committed to backing them with solid data.

Measuring What Matters

To better understand and communicate impact, ZIAP is strengthening its approach to yield measurement. Lead trainers have begun purchasing field scales and are conducting and training others to obtain yield checks at demonstration plots and neighboring farms.

The process is simple, practical, and replicable:

• Two rows of maize, each measuring six meters, are selected

• All ears from these sections are harvested and husked

• The ears are weighed using a field scale

• The recorded weight is adjusted to account for the cob

• Final figures are converted into tonnes per hectare, and into bushels per acre for our partners in the Heartland

  
  

Each yield check also captures important context, including traditional or ZIAP crop management practices and the type of seed planted. This may include hybrid seed, traditional open-pollinated varieties (OPVs), commercial OPVs, or recycled seed. Tracking these differences helps us better understand which practices and inputs are delivering the strongest results.

These efforts will allow ZIAP to quantify yield improvements more accurately and strengthen the data behind our work. Reliable data is essential, not only for refining our programming, but also for clearly communicating impact to partners, donors, and future supporters. We look forward to sharing detailed yield results following the upcoming harvest.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Through Training

As we build on this momentum, ZIAP is preparing for its next phase of growth. This July, we will host a dedicated train-the-trainer camp in Zambia.

Dr. Tracy Blackmer will spend two weeks on the ground leading intensive training sessions at two locations. Working alongside experienced lead trainers who have already implemented the curriculum, this effort will deepen expertise, strengthen local leadership, and expand our training network even further.

With these investments, ZIAP is positioned to reach well beyond 10,000 farmers in the coming year, multiplying impact through knowledge, relationships, and measurable results.

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At ZIAP, we believe that when farmers can see results in their own fields, and measure them with confidence, lasting change takes root.