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The COBSI approach is mainstreamed and continuously promoted as a small-scale irrigation development approach in Zambia and other relevant countries.
The dissemination mechanism of the COBSI approach is established and practiced and regular works of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Northern, Muchinga, Luapula, Copperbelt, Central, Northwestern Province (a total of six provinces), and other provinces with potential.
Project Implementation Structure
Implementing Agency: Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)
Cooperating Agencies: Agriculture Training Institutes under the Ministry of Agriculture (represented by the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC))
What is COBSI?
COBSI is a simple irrigation technology that uses only locally available materials, such as wooden poles, grass, stones, and farmers’ basic tools. With these, farmers can build a simple weir and earth canals to divert perennial river water to their fields. The system is low-cost, easy to construct, maintain, and reconstruct if damaged.
COBSI was first developed in Malawi, then expanded to Zambia, and now its dissemination is also progressing in Mozambique. COBSI enables smallholder farmers to irrigate their crops by gravity and rotation, helping them become more resilient compared to relying only on rainfed agriculture.
The First Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting for the Mainstreaming of Community-Based Smallholder Irrigation Development Project (M-COBSI) was held in Lusaka on October 28, 2025. (more…)
In Zambia Agriculture plays a key role of supporting industries by the production of the required raw materials , producing exportable agricultural goods, generating employment particularly in rural areas, as well as providing food stuffs essential for the sustenance of acceptable nutrition standards and levels.
Mulungushi House, Corner of Independence Avenue & Nationalist Rd
P o Box 50197 Lusaka, Zambia
Email: infor@agriculture.gov.zm
Phone number: +260211 254 645
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