The 91 Producer Organizations shortlisted for the Matching Grants were onboarded by the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II (ZATP II) during Orientation Workshops organised from 21st to 25th September, 2026.
This followed the Due Diligence exercise conducted to assess their readiness for financing in the terms of Good Governance, Financial Management and Procurement Systems, and the status of bank balances and pledged assets for matching contributions.
The Onboarding Workshops were organised in Chipata for Producer Organizations in Eastern Province, Choma for Producer Organizations in Southern Province and in Lusaka for Producer Organizations from Central, Copperbelt, Muchinga, Lusaka and Western Provinces.
The Onboarding Workshop for Producer Organizations from Central, Copperbelt, Muchinga, Lusaka and Western Provinces was held in Lusaka at the Government Complex.
The Workshop was officially opened by ZATP II Project Coordinator and Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) Director for Planning and Information Wallace Nguluwe.
Speaking during the official opening, Mr Nguluwe congratulated the Producer Organizations for progressing through the Business Plans and the Due Diligence processes following recommendation by the Independent Evaluation Panels(IEPs).
He said at the end of the Onboarding Workshop, all the Producer Organizations were expected to know the required obligations and steps to reach the grant agreement signing and disbursement readiness.
Mr Nguluwe urged the Producer Organizations to be results oriented through increased and consistent production, improved quality, reduced losses, local value addition, reliable supply to markets and sustainable employment creation.
“The ministry expects the benefits of the Matching Grants support to reach all intended members, including women and young people, and to strengthen each Producer organization as an institution that can serve its members over the long term”, he said.
Speaking earlier, Acting Project Manager, Gladys Phiri said Producer Organizations were expected to understand the Matching Grant conditions, complete the required pre-grant documentation and confirm that they were ready to implement approved business plans.
Ms. Phiri said the onboarding workshop covered requirements on good governance such as financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social safeguards and reporting among other requirements.
