Jersey and Zambia strengthen Dairy Development Partnership at the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society 2026 Summer Show

Her Excellency Ms Macenje F. Mazoka, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the United Kingdom, and Mr Kasalika Mwansa Mulenga, Counsellor (Economic) for the High Commission of the Republic of Zambia, attended the show as guests of the RJA&HS. Other dignitaries involved in the visit included the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Kyd KBE, who also serves as Patron of Jersey Overseas Aid and Vice Patron of the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Lady Kyd, Mr Robert MacRae, the Bailiff of Jersey, The Very Reverend Michael Keirle, Dean of Jersey and representatives from Jersey Overseas Aid.

The visit highlighted the important partnership between Jersey and Zambia, which is built on shared commitment to dairy sector innovation and sustainable rural livelihoods. Zambia is a key partner country in Jersey Overseas Aid’s Dairy for Development programme, through which the RJA&HS delivers long‑term technical support, training and genetic improvement initiatives to strengthen smallholder dairy farming. The Jersey cow is recognised as particularly well suited to the Zambian context, offering high milk quality, feed efficiency, adaptability to heat, and suitability for smallholder production systems.

The RJA&HS is currently implementing two major programmes in Zambia: the Jersey Dairy Development in Zambia (JDDZ) Project and the Copperbelt Dairy Expansion (CDE) Project*. Both projects are delivered under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Jersey and the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. First signed in 2022 and reaffirmed in 2026, the MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Zambia’s dairy sector and improving livelihoods through sustainable dairy development.

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia in London warmly welcomed the invitation from the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society to visit Jersey and to witness first-hand the continued strength of the partnership supporting Zambia’s Dairy for Development programme. Her Excellency Ms Macenje Mazoka remarked, "We value the commitment shown by Jersey Overseas Aid and its partners, and we believe this collaboration continues to make a meaningful contribution to sustainable agricultural development, improved livelihoods, and food security in Zambia."

Reflecting on the visit, David Hambrook, Head of International Dairy for Development, RJA&HS commented:

“It was positive to see dairy take centre stage when we welcomed representatives from the High Commission of the Republic of Zambia to our Society’s Summer Show. It was a pleasure to showcase the RJA&HS’ and JOA’s Dairy for Development projects, which proudly builds on Jersey's world-renowned expertise as the home of the Jersey breed. Through this expertise, we are enabling smallholder farmers in Zambia to boost dairy productivity, improve nutrition, and strengthen household incomes. We are confident the partnership between Jersey and Zambia is making a real difference to families and communities.”

Julia Hulme, Vice Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid commented:

“The visit really highlighted the tangible results we are delivering to the people of Zambia through our partnership with RJA&HS. Thanks to the generosity of islanders, JOA supports more than 8,500 farmers in Zambia. This long-term partnership demonstrates that investing in dairy innovation is one of the most effective ways to improving both household income and nutrition in rural communities.”

The upcoming African Jersey Forum conference and farmer visits, to be hosted in Zambia this September, present another important opportunity for strengthening the partnership between Jersey and Zambia, as well as regional knowledge exchange and sharing best practice in dairy development.

*Both projects are delivered in partnership with the Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ) and receive policy support from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MFL) of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. The JDDZ Project is implemented with local partner Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), while the CDE Project is supported by WeForest Zambia.