Zambian – German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre

What Zambian – German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre does

The Zambian – German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC) is a bilateral cooperation project between the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture, established in 2014 and officially opened in April 2017 at the GART Chaloshi Farm in Chisamba, 60 km north of Lusaka. The project is now in Phase 3 and is implemented by a German consortium led by Gopa AFC Consultants International GmbH with IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH. AKTC operates on 72 hectares of demonstration land (including 10 and 62 hectares of irrigated fields) and runs four core activities: trainings (Modular, Student, Commercial Farmer, Indabas, Tractor Driving School, Internship & Attachments), field demonstrations (Mechanized Conservation Agriculture, Horticulture), research (CAFM and RAINES projects), and events (Agritech Expo, Farmer Field Day, Seedfair). The technology stack focuses on climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, regenerative agriculture, mechanized farming, the Pfumvudza farming method, and a Variable Rain Irrigation Advisory supplied by partner Vista.

The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: AKTC's training services are delivered at no cost to farmers, with the cost base covered by the bilateral cooperation budget. Supplemental revenue-adjacent activity exists in the form of off-site training for organizations (e.g., Mushingashi Conservancy tractor operator training in 2023 and 2025) and private-sector co-hosted events (e.g., Bayer Crop Science field day in March 2025). Customers are segmented across emergent farmers (primary), commercial farmers, agricultural university and college students, and agricultural professionals, with 18,000+ farmers trained since 2014 (43% women), 5,000+ students trained, and 1,000+ emergent farmers trained. The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, combining on-site training at Chaloshi Farm, mobile training teams traveling to local communities, and partnerships with the Zambian National Farmers Union, GART, and 12 German private-sector equipment partners. Mission-aligned differentiation rests on international expertise, sovereign backing, and a decade of curated curriculum and field-trial data.

Name

Zambian – German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre

Legal name

Zambian – German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre

Website

https://aktczambia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AKTC is a bilateral government cooperation project between Germany and Zambia that delivers hands-on agricultural training, field demonstrations, and applied research in climate-smart, conservation, and mechanized farming to over 18,000 farmers, students, and agribusiness professionals at its Chaloshi Farm facility in Chisamba, Zambia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Training and Capacity Building Services

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Crop Production (1151), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Agricultural Production & Farm Operations (EDAOAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agricultural Mechanics, Equipment Operation & Maintenance (EDAOAOAI), Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural training services
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Conservation agriculture research
• Tractor operator training
• Farmer capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government-funded bilateral cooperation: AKTC is funded through bilateral cooperation between the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture. Training services appear to be provided at no cost to farmers as the project aims to enhance knowledge exchange, skills development, and technology transfer.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC) delivers hands-on agricultural training programs (Modular, Student, Commercial Farmer, Indabas, Tractor Driving School, Internship & Attachments, and Training of Trainers) on mechanized conservation agriculture, climate-adapted farming, tractor operations, irrigation, and farm business management. It also conducts research projects (CAFM and RAINES) on climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture, supported by 12 German private-sector machinery partners, and serves as a regional competence centre for emerging farmers, commercial farmers, agricultural students, and agri-professionals in Zambia.

Product overview

The Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC) operates as an agricultural training hub offering a comprehensive portfolio of hands-on training programs and research projects. The core offering consists of multiple training modalities including Modular Trainings (5-day combined programs for emergent farmers), Student Trainings (university/college practical programs), Commercial Farmer Trainings, Indabas (one-day expert-led sessions), and a Tractor Driving School (12-day intensive certification course). These are complemented by specialized training modules covering equipment calibration, irrigation management, crop production, and business skills. The Centre also conducts two major research projects: the Climate Adapted Farming Methods (CAFM) project focused on mechanized conservation agriculture, and the Regenerative Agriculture for Improved Nutrition and Environmental Sustainability (RAINES) project promoting regenerative practices. The training programs are delivered at the GART Chaloshi Farm facility and through mobile training teams, with the Centre serving as a bilateral cooperation project between German and Zambian agricultural ministries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modular Training Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Farmers trained at AKTC have expanded from 2 hectares to 15 hectares through application of training knowledge
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2014BMEL is the primary German government partner in this bilateral cooperation project. The ministry provides funding, strategic direction, and support for the agricultural knowledge and training initiative aimed at enhancing knowledge exchange, skills development, and technology transfer in Zambia's agricultural sector.
• Zambian Ministry of AgricultureflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2014The Zambian government counterpart providing bilateral cooperation framework. The ministry works with BMEL to enhance agricultural knowledge exchange and sustainable farming practices in Zambia.
• Gopa AFC Consultants International GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead implementing consortium partner responsible for overall project management and operations of AKTC. The German company coordinates project implementation with its team of international experts.
• IAK Agrar Consulting GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner within the implementing consortium providing agricultural consulting expertise for the AKTC project.
• Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGART hosts the AKTC facility at Chaloshi Farm in Chisamba. The agricultural research institution provides the land and infrastructure for training and demonstration activities.
• German Private Sector PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationInitially 12 German companies, with 6 continuing to support AKTC. Currently 12 active private sector partners providing farm machinery, implements, and equipment for testing under local conditions. Results are documented and publicized through training programs and field days.
• Zambian National Farmers UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImportant partner in promoting AKTC training services and connecting with farmers across Zambia.
• Bayer Crop ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner that hosted a field day at AKTC on March 18, 2025, showcasing agricultural innovations and climate-smart solutions. AKTC leveraged the event to highlight its RAINES project and regenerative agriculture initiatives.
• GFAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMember of the implementing consortium that participated in the AKTC official opening ceremony in 2017.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aktc_zambia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aktczambia5192
• Facebookfacebook.com/AKTCZambia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zambian – German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre