[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1133, 212], "category": "Text", "text": "the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) comes in time to intensify these conversations along with other development partners."}, {"bbox": [97, 212, 1133, 414], "category": "Text", "text": "The common bean sector has witnessed significant growth over the past 15 years, with productivity doubling and land under cultivation increasing substantially. This growth has transformed the common bean from a subsistence to a commercial crop, with Zambia exporting beans to neighboring countries. The success of the common bean sector is attributed to the bean corridor approach, which enhances the efficiency of bean commodity flow from production hubs to consumption areas, thereby creating strong linkages between value chain actors. This approach has not only improved market access for farmers but also increased employment and business opportunities within the sector."}, {"bbox": [97, 414, 1133, 617], "category": "Text", "text": "Furthermore, the bean corridor approach has facilitated the organisation of the bean value chain into production, distribution, and consumption hubs, unlocking business opportunities and encouraging private sector investment, generating local value-addition. This organised approach has led to an increase in the availability of high-demand bean varieties and agro-inputs, significantly benefiting seed companies and agro-input suppliers. The emphasis on good agronomic practices and post-harvest handling technologies has resulted in higher yields and better grain quality, enabling aggregators and grain off-takers to access premium grain and tap into export markets."}, {"bbox": [97, 658, 336, 684], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Horticulture sub-sector"}, {"bbox": [97, 699, 1133, 1364], "category": "Text", "text": "Zambia's horticulture sector showcases a blend of growth potential and significant hurdles. With annual consumption of horticultural products estimated at 1 million metric tons (MT), valued over US$330 million, and a projection to increase, the sector represents a crucial segment of Zambia's agricultural economy. The sector generates around US$235 million in total production out of which US$200 million is estimated as net farm sales. Horticulture is one of Zambia's fast growing and key agricultural value chains contributing about 1.3% to the national GDP, despite its high marketing informalities. Horticulture also presents Zambia with huge investment opportunities especially in modern wholesaling facilities. However, local supply struggles to meet the quantity and quality demands of major retail stores, leading to continued reliance on imports. This situation is exacerbated by smallholder farmers' challenges, including limited capital, knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills, restricting their effective participation in horticulture value chains. Despite these challenges, the sector's estimated annual consumption suggests a vibrant market, with room for significant growth if these systemic barriers can be addressed effectively. An increase in Zambia's Vegetable exports from around US$ 7 million in between 2019 and 2022 to US$ 11 million in 2023 underscores the need for strategic interventions to seize as-yet unrealised export opportunities. The abundant water resources, accounting for around 60% of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region's watercourses, hint at the untapped potential for horticulture production expansion. Yet, the production of fresh fruits and vegetables remains low, primarily due to limited use of irrigation at the smallholder level, seasonal gluts leading to wastage, lack of cold-chain services, the limited opportunities for value addition and the challenges smallholder farmers face in accessing quality inputs and formal marketing channels. Addressing these issues through investment in market infrastructure, enhancing access to sustainable finance, and building farmers' capacities could unlock the sector's potential for growth and contribute significantly to Zambia's economic development and poverty reduction efforts in and around urban and peri-urban clusters."}, {"bbox": [97, 1364, 1133, 1538], "category": "Text", "text": "Horticulture industry holds a strong promise for alleviating poverty, creating decent and green jobs and improving the health and well-being of Zambians. Fruit and vegetables are key to improving the nutrition of the poorest and lowest-income Zambians. Percentage of food expenditure share on fruits and vegetable is projected to continue increasing in coming years. Horticulture also employs a significant number of Zambians across its value chain, but mainly the inputs (fertilisers, seeds and crop protection solutions) and in large-scale commercial production and processing."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 8 of 32"}]