Agriculture is a cardinal sector for human survival and well-being, as it is the means through which humankind produces food. The food security of the world, and of Africa, Zambia, and individual households, depends on agriculture and on the farmers who work on the land. Many small-scale farmers lack collateral, credit histories, and financial literacy, which makes it difficult for them to obtain loans from formal financial institutions. As a result, they struggle to purchase improved seeds, fertilizers, machinery, irrigation equipment, and other essential inputs, and their financial exclusion further limits their ability to invest in productivity-enhancing technologies and climate-adaptation measures (World Bank, 2025). This study adopted a descriptive research design. A sample of 65 small-scale farmers was drawn from the study area using a simple random sampling technique, and the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), which facilitated the organization, processing, and interpretation of the findings. The findings reveal that small-scale farmers are important contributors to agricultural production and to the attainment of food security, and that they make a significant contribution to the national food basket through the production of various food crops. The study further found that there are programs that are beneficial in addressing the challenges faced by small-scale farmers and in enhancing agricultural productivity. Strengthening access to financial services, improving resource availability, enhancing pest and disease management, and promoting secure land ownership and market access therefore, emerge as critical measures for improving the productivity and sustainability of small-scale farming and, consequently, for enhancing food security in the study area.
Masina et al. (Fri,) studied this question.