From Smallholder to Success: Nellia Phiri’s CSA Journey Inspires Farmers Across Eastern Province
At 50, Nellia Phiri of Petauke District in Eastern Province is proving that Climate Smart Agriculture-CSA can transform smallholder farming into a pathway out of poverty.
A lead farmer under the Chimtanda Farmer Field School, Phiri grows maize, soybean, groundnuts, and sunflower to support her family.
Introduced to CSA in 2018 under the Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape Project and now part of the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-EPJSLP, she quickly adopted improved practices such as ripping, crop rotation, integrated pest management, and the use of certified seed.
Her success story comes as the EPJSLP has commenced annual community field days across all 15 districts, bringing together lead and follower farmers, extension officers, and stakeholders at Farmer Field School demonstration plots to showcase season-long CSA practices and promote wider adoption of climate-smart technologies.
The initiative aims to strengthen peer learning, improve farmer-to-farmer extension, and increase uptake of resilient and productivity-enhancing agricultural practices, supported through facilitation of extension services and logistics.
Today, Phiri’s farm has expanded to 3 hectares, with one hectare under maize production.
This season alone, she expects to harvest more than 80 bags of maize, reflecting significant productivity gains.
The impact is visible beyond the field her increased income has enabled her to build a modern house, invest in livestock and farming equipment, and support her children’s education.
Beyond her personal achievements, Phiri is currently mentoring 10 follower farmers, sharing climate smart techniques and encouraging them to adopt resilient farming methods.
Her story reflects the broader impact of EPJSLP field days and Farmer Field Schools: empowering farmers with knowledge and support to boost yields, withstand climate shocks, and secure a better future.
📸 Photos and Story by Gloria Suwisha, NAIS
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