By Cecilia Chiluba 
Rural communities across Zambia are experiencing a notable transformation as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) empower farmers and women’s groups to add value to their produce and access international markets.
Heart of Mercy President, Apostle Agnes Chongo Phiri, told Money News in an interview that her organization is committed to fostering self-sustenance and economic growth at the grassroots level.
Apostle Phiri, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Purely Zambian Import and Exports Limited, revealed that her organizations connect producers with financial institutions and government programs — including those under the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Gender Division — which offer capital and machinery to cooperatives.
Apostle Phiri said both organizations are focused on transforming the lives of rural farmers and women’s groups by integrating them into the agricultural value chain, promoting value addition, and facilitating exports.
“Heart of Mercy works with cooperatives and women’s groups nationwide to foster self-sufficiency, ensuring food security, access to education, health services, and proper shelter and clothing for families. A key focus is to transition farmers away from the traditional barter system by providing avenues to package, brand, and export their produce,” she said.
She cited a recent success story involving the export of Zambian moringa — sourced from Chief Bunda Bunda in Chongwe district, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through a Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) trade mission.
“This initiative has already seen Zambian moringa, sourced from Chief Bunda Bunda from Chongwe, successfully exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via the ZDA trade mission. The goal is to ensure the rural population benefits from financial systems rather than being left behind. Under Purely Zambian Import and Exports Limited, the emphasis is on innovating with the country’s rich organic wild fruits,” Apostle Phiri stated.
She further explained how her company has added value to indigenous fruits such as kawawasha (tamarind), masuku, and masau. The resulting products — including Tamarind Detox, Tamarind Yogi, and a special Beet Juice — are enriched with essential nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamin C.
“These products have undergone rigorous certification processes with Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and the Food and Drug Authority, ensuring their quality and safety. These value-added Zambian products are now being exported to DRC and distributed in South Africa, demonstrating a growing international reach for organic Zambian goods,” she added.
Apostle Phiri highlighted the role of recent capacity-building programs in equipping individuals with the skills needed to establish home-based production units.
“These programs cover essential topics such as adherence to manufacturing standards and the use of manual machinery, while also guiding participants through the certification process with regulatory bodies like ZABS and the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA). This comprehensive support ensures that even small-scale producers can certify their products and successfully access local and international markets, driving national development and economic growth,” she added.
Apostle Phiri encouraged Zambian women to embrace entrepreneurship, even with simple ideas such as creating juice from tamarind.
News Desk 
Lucky Chama