By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) and the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing crop- and soil-specific fertilizer to boost productivity and strengthen Zambia’s tobacco industry and the wider agricultural value chain.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate to produce fertilizer blends tailored to the nutritional requirements of tobacco crops and the varying soil conditions across the country.
The partnership is also expected to reduce production costs by improving access to fertilizers and raw materials at competitive prices.
Beyond fertilizer development, the MoU commits NCZ and TBZ to supporting farming communities through structured training programmes, knowledge dissemination and the promotion of best agronomic practices, while embracing climate-smart agriculture principles.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NCZ Chief Executive Officer Chanda Mongo said the agreement goes beyond a routine partnership and reflects a shared national commitment to providing farmers with high-quality, sustainable and locally produced fertilizer solutions.
Mr. Mongo highlighted NCZ’s recent technical commissioning of two major fertilizer plants—a granulating plant and a blending facility—which have significantly expanded the country’s fertilizer production capacity.
He explained that the granulating plant, which produces basal dressing fertilizer commonly known as D-Compound (NPK), has an annual capacity of 144,000 metric tonnes.
The NCZ CEO noted that the initiative marks a departure from the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to fertilizer use, which he said is no longer sustainable in the face of changing climate conditions, soil variability and the growing demand for efficiency in agriculture.
Mr. Mongo stressed that different crops, including maize, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane and Irish potatoes, have distinct nutritional needs, just as soil characteristics differ from one region to another.
“It’s important to note that the nutritional needs of, for instance, crops like maize are different from those of, say, tobacco, Irish potatoes, and other crops, cotton, sugarcane, just to mention a few.”
“This means that using one type of fertilizer as a base for all crop types. It is really not the best approach to farming. It’s not the most optimal, it’s not the most cost-efficient. Similarly, nutritional needs of the soils from Lusaka, for instance, will be different from those from the eastern province, northern or southern or indeed western or northwestern provinces, for instance,” he noted.
Meanwhile, TBZ Executive Director Robert Mwale said the partnership sends a strong signal that Zambia remains open for business and expressed optimism that the collaboration will unlock new opportunities, markets and sustainable growth across the agricultural value chain.
Mr. Mwale said the agreement will enhance the competitiveness of tobacco growers by improving access to raw materials and fertilizers at competitive prices, a development expected to increase yields and raise rural incomes.
“This MoU underscores our shared commitment to driving inclusive growth, investment, and long-term development,” he added.
He reaffirmed the strategic importance of tobacco to the national economy, noting that improved input efficiency and sustained farmer support are critical to maintaining the sector’s contribution to rural livelihoods.
The Tobacco Board of Zambia aims to expand tobacco cultivation beyond 100,000 hectares by 2030, a target that will depend largely on strategic partnerships with fertilizer suppliers and other development partners.
