Sowing Seeds of Hope in Zambia

The fields of Zambia hold a promise, and for the third season, the Zambia Iowa Agricultural Partners (ZIAP) are on the ground, helping subsistence farmers unlock their potential. After a first season of remote support, we realized true impact required direct, hands-on work. Our agronomist, Dr. Tracy Blackmer, spent four months in Zambia and saw the immediate need: empowering farmers with better corn production techniques.

Even the simplest changes can transform a harvest. We focus on a few key principles:

• Seed spacing: Giving each seed room to grow ensures better nutrient and water uptake.

• Nutrient placement: Spreading fertilizer, rather than piling it, encourages stronger, deeper roots.

• Weed control: Consistent weeding protects crops and makes future seasons easier.

  
  

Last year, we trained 21 local scouts who went on to teach more than 2,000 villagers. This direct, personal training became the heart of our work.

We also discovered a tool that is changing lives: the walking hoe, locally known as a “ripper”. This simple, one-wheeled cultivator helps farmers plant corn faster and more effectively. We worked with local blacksmiths to create a durable, affordable version using bicycle wheels. To date, more than 100 ripper tools have been made, becoming a symbol of progress and a testament to what's possible when practical education meets low-cost innovation.

By combining knowledge and tools, ZIAP is helping communities grow stronger, feeding families, and strengthening food security across rural Zambia—one seed, one step, one season at a time.