Conservation Farming Unit

What Conservation Farming Unit does

Conservation Farming Unit (CFU) is a Zambian non-profit, company-limited-by-guarantee founded in 1996, dedicated to promoting Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) among smallholder farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa. Its core activity is field-based training and advisory services delivered through the Lead Farmers Model, in which trained lead farmers extend periodic, specialised instruction on land preparation, fertiliser application, seeding, weed and pest management, agroforestry, and post-harvest handling to surrounding farming communities. The organization also produces agronomic research publications and proprietary technical handbooks/leaflets for three farmer archetypes (hoe-based, animal draft power, and mechanised), and serves as secretariat for the Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance with Zambia's Ministry of Agriculture.

CFU's service portfolio is organised around donor-funded projects rather than commercial products. Active programmes include the Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) with CIMMYT (since January 2024 across 12 districts), the GIZ-supported 'Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture' pilot under the compensACTION programme targeting 52,000+ farmers (launched October 2025), the Vision for Adopted Crops & Soils (VACS) seed programme with village-based advisors, a Darwin Initiative-supported biodiversity project, and a UNDP/GEF-funded climate-resilient agriculture and agroforestry grant. The organization operates four offices in Zambia (Lusaka headquarters plus Kalumbila, Mwinilunga, and Kasempa field offices) and reports training 200,000+ farmers annually across 45 districts, with documented outcomes of 54%+ CA adoption among trainees and an 88% average yield increase for adopters.

CFU's revenue is generated almost exclusively through development partner grants and project funding from organizations such as GIZ, BMZ, CIMMYT, UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, Action Against Hunger, and the Darwin Initiative, supplemented by donations. There is no commercial pricing model; the organization does not sell products to farmers. Distribution is purely direct-to-farmer through its four Zambian offices, the Lead Farmers extension network, co-located seed-company field days, and partner-led demonstrations. The customer base consists entirely of resource-poor smallholder farmers in rural Zambia, with a documented near-50% female participation rate aligned with women representing 78% of small-scale farmers nationally.

Name

Conservation Farming Unit

Legal name

Conservation Farming Unit

Website

https://conservationagriculture.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Conservation Farming Unit (CFU) is a Zambian non-profit founded in 1996 that delivers Conservation Agriculture and Climate Smart Agriculture training to smallholder farmers in 45 districts, using a Lead Farmers extension model and donor-funded projects with partners such as GIZ, CIMMYT, and UNDP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Extension Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Forest Certification, Compliance & Chain-of-Custody Support (AFAMAAAH)

Keywords

• Conservation agriculture training
• Climate smart agriculture
• Smallholder farmer extension
• Agroforestry advisory services
• Sustainable farming programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Development Partner Funding: CFU operates as a company limited by guarantee founded in 1996, primarily funded through development partner grants and project funding from international organizations such as GIZ, BMZ, UNDP, Global Environment Facility, and various NGOs.
2. Donations and Support: CFU accepts donations to support farmer training programs, development of educational resources, research on climate-smart agricultural practices, and community support and infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CFU delivers Conservation Agriculture and Climate Smart Agriculture training, advisory services, and capacity building to smallholder farmers through its Lead Farmers Model, supplemented by improved seed distribution, agronomic research, technical handbooks, and financial literacy training. The organization's offerings are funded by international development partners and delivered at no cost to farmers across 45 districts of Zambia and select countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Product overview

The Conservation Farming Unit operates as an agricultural development organization rather than a commercial product company. Its core offering is Conservation Farming and Climate Smart Agriculture training and advisory services delivered through the Lead Farmers Model, supplemented by seed distribution programs (VACS), agronomic research publications, and technical handbooks. Projects like AID-I and the GIZ Climate Smart Agriculture Pilot extend these services with mechanisation support, post-harvest management, and financial literacy training. The organization also conducts socio-economic impact and adoption rate studies to measure outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Farming and Climate Smart Agriculture Training Programs Comprehensive training programs for smallholder farmers covering Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, including the Lead Farmers Model, field-based advisory services, and seasonal training in land preparation, fertilizer application, seeding, weed and pest management, and agroforestry. Delivered at no cost to farmers across 45 districts of Zambia.
• Technical Handbooks and Field Leaflets Practical handbooks and step-by-step field leaflets for field technicians and lead farmers covering herbicide use, CF/CSA practices, land preparation, seeding, and Faidherbia albida management. Designed for hoe farmers, oxen/animal draft power farmers, and mechanized tillage farmers.
• Vision for Adopted Crops & Soils (VACS) Seed Program Program focused on ensuring availability and access to improved cowpea and pigeon pea seeds through seed pack distribution, demonstration plots, village-based advisor networks, seed multiplication training, and market linkages for smallholder farmers.
• Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Multi-component project implemented with CIMMYT covering Conservation Agriculture training, post-harvest handling, mechanisation promotion, improved seed demonstrations, and financial literacy and business training for smallholder farmers in Central and Southern provinces of Zambia.
• GIZ Climate Smart Agriculture Pilot Project GIZ-supported pilot project through the compensACTION programme that compensates smallholder farmers for ecosystem services while promoting sustainable agricultural practices, targeting over 52,000 farmers across Zambia.
• UNDP/GEF Great Green Wall Climate Resilience Project Project enhancing capacity of women and youth in climate-resilient agriculture and agroforestry, with $29,000 UNDP/GEF funding targeting training of 1,000 farmers, implementing conservation agriculture on 250 hectares and agroforestry on 150 hectares in Chibombo District.
• Agronomic Research Publications Research reports and studies covering soil quality, biochar applications, tillage practices, crop yields, and the impact of Conservation Farming on tropical Acrisol soils in Sub-Saharan Africa, published via the Agronomic Research section of CFU's website.
• Socio-economic Impacts & Adoption Rate Studies Household Economy Analysis reports, adoption surveys, and post-harvest outcome studies tracking the impact and adoption rates of Climate Smart Agriculture practices among smallholder farmers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% yield increase for farmers who adopted Conservation Agriculture practices compared to non-adopters
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2023CFU signed a Sub-Grant on 13th December 2023 with CIMMYT to implement the Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) starting January 2024. The partnership focuses on promoting increased resilience of smallholder farmers in food production amidst climate change impacts, working in Central and Southern provinces across 12 districts.
• Action Against HungermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Conservation Farming initiative for Biodiversity & Poverty Interventions project targeting 3,021 farmers in Zimba, Livingstone, and Kazungula districts through the Darwin Initiative.
• Kagezi SeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal seed company partner in AID-I program for carrying out Mega demonstrations and encouraging local production of legume seeds to ensure availability and access to improved seeds among smallholder farmers.
• Good Nature AgrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeed company partner in AID-I program collaborating on local seed production and distribution networks for cowpeas, groundnuts, and beans.
• ZamseedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner seed company in AID-I program for Mega demonstrations and local seed production to ensure availability of improved seeds for smallholder farmers.
• AfriseedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeed company partner in AID-I program collaborating on local seed production networks to reduce challenges of availability and access to improved seeds.
• Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFU partnered with PICS bag manufacturers to promote safe crop storage and reduce post-harvest losses among smallholder farmers in Zambia.
• MusikaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking partnership in CFU's partner network to boost farmers' access to tools, markets, training, and financial services.
• PannarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking partnership providing seed varieties and agricultural expertise to support smallholder farmers.
• Seed CominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking partnership for improved seed access and agricultural support services to farming communities.
• BayerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking partnership in CFU's network supporting farmers with agricultural tools and training.
• CortevaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking partnership providing agricultural solutions and expertise to enhance farming productivity.
• fsd ZambiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking partnership supporting farmers' access to financial services and market opportunities.
• Ministry of Agriculture (Zambia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFU leads the Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance collaborating closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, which serves as the secretariat, to upscale CSA practices and harmonize messaging for greater impact.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• One Acre Fund: Large non-profit that provides smallholder farmers across Eastern and Southern Africa with training, inputs on credit, and market access. Most directly comparable operating model to CFU's farmer training and input support model, though at much larger scale.
• TechnoServe: Global non-profit that works with smallholder farmers and agricultural enterprises in Africa on productivity, market access, and sustainability. Overlapping farmer training, value chain, and advisory services model.
• Farm Africa: UK-headquartered NGO focused on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and smallholder farmer training across Eastern Africa. Highly comparable mission, training delivery model, and smallholder beneficiary focus.
• Self Help Africa: International development NGO working with smallholder farmers in Africa on sustainable agriculture, enterprise development, and climate adaptation. Directly comparable farmer training and Conservation Agriculture-style programs.

Broad incumbents

• AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa): Pan-African institution working to transform smallholder agriculture through policy, partnerships, and farmer support programs. Comparable target beneficiary base (African smallholders) and climate-smart agriculture agenda.
• Concern Worldwide: International humanitarian organization with significant livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture programming across Sub-Saharan Africa, working with comparable smallholder beneficiary segments.
• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre): CGIAR research center and a core CFU partner on AID-I. Operates similar smallholder-focused agricultural research and training across Africa and globally, with significantly larger budget and institutional reach.
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS): Large international humanitarian NGO running agriculture and food security programs across Africa, including Conservation Agriculture and Climate Smart Agriculture programming with similar smallholder target populations.
• World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF): CGIAR center focused on agroforestry research and smallholder farmer support. Directly comparable on the agroforestry training component of CFU's curriculum and shared farmer base in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Others

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency and a core CFU funder. Functions as both an implementer of agricultural development programs and a grantmaker — relevant for understanding funder-side dynamics and comparable programmatic design.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Conservation-Farming-Unit-100057469487506
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cfu-zambia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Conservation Farming Unit