By FD Writer

A Farmers Digest survey shows a growing trend, with trading families who are Zambians of Asian descent increasingly leaving traditional retail and merchandising to invest in agriculture.

Many have scaled back their shops and trading operations to focus on farming, competing with other investors, including Chinese and Lebanese traders, for productive land.

Some families have already made significant strides. Notable examples include Aliboo, Sable with its flagship Mansa Sugar, Kavulamungu with its fleet of trucks, Nyimba for rapid supply, and Saro Agro, whose products are steadily becoming synonymous with agricultural growth in Zambia.

In Chipata and the broader Eastern Province, Zambians of Asian descent have long acted as off-takers and traders, leveraging regional links between Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to build markets for cotton, groundnuts, and tobacco. Even bicycles, a popular transport mode for farmers, owe part of their presence to shops run by families such as Patel, Dinwala, and Ishmael, which stocked bikes and spare parts.

In Lundazi District, Aliboo has become a popular player, buying groundnuts, soybeans, maize, and other crops from local farmers. “We have been in trading for decades, but agriculture offers long-term growth and supports local communities,” said a business owner in Lundazi, who preferred anonymity.

The survey found that this presence is expanding beyond the Eastern Province. Across Zambia, families of Asian descent are establishing roots in regions where their forebears once set up shops. Western Province, historically harder to penetrate, may now be opening opportunities.

Global and local factors have influenced this shift. Tighter immigration policies in the United States and Europe, alongside border closures, have encouraged families to focus on domestic opportunities. At the same time, competition has increased from South African, Chinese, Lebanese, and Rwandese businesses taking over areas once dominated by Zambians of Asian descent.

Despite these challenges, their investment remains promising. They leverage capital, industry know-how, and connections to India’s agricultural research and development networks. These families also support one another through informal lending and mentorship, creating a strong internal ecosystem.

Practically, these families have moved beyond small retail shops. Former sweet and general stores now stock pesticides, herbicides, and a wide range of agricultural inputs. Trendsetters such as Farmers Barn in Lusaka provide budget-friendly packs, helping small-scale farmers participate in input schemes such as Lima. One local farmer noted: “Working with these families is easier because they understand our language and challenges. They treat us as partners, not just suppliers.”

A key advantage is cultural fluency. Many Zambians of Asian descent speak local languages, actively participate in civic and traditional leadership, and are deeply engaged in their communities. This integration improves collaboration with farmers, supports better extension services, and bridges local knowledge with modern agricultural techniques.

Their success is increasingly visible in agro-supply, game ranching, and the hospitality sector, including tourism hubs such as the Lower Zambezi. Their approach combines business acumen with strong community ties, giving them an edge in building mutually beneficial relationships, something foreign investors, including Chinese and Lebanese, are still learning to achieve.

The FD survey concludes that Zambians of Asian descent have the potential to significantly advance Zambia’s agricultural sector. With capital, expertise, community integration, and long-term commitment, they can help the country fulfil its potential as a regional breadbasket.

The moral: Those who invest wisely today will shape Zambia’s agricultural future.