Social Issue

The Luangwa Valley in the eastern province of Zambia is home to wildlife that supports tourism in the area. It is also home to rural communities that depend on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods. Poor agricultural practices, over-reliance on non-food crops such as cotton and tobacco, and climate change have put some communities and the surrounding fauna and flora at risk. Forests are disappearing as farmers increasingly use more land, contributing to soil erosion and poor harvests. Low productivity is leading to reduced incomes and food insecurity, prompting many farmers to resort to poaching or producing charcoal to support their families.

Our Response

Netri has collaborated with COMACO in 2o20. In 2024, we renewed our loan to COMACO, a social enterprise with over two decades of experience in Zambia, known for its innovative approach to blending agribusiness with environmental conservation. Working hand-in-hand with more than a hundred farmer cooperatives, COMACO operates through a community-based model that champions regenerative agriculture, sustainable production, and rural development. Under the It’s Wild! brand, COMACO transforms locally grown crops—such as groundnuts, soy, and rice—into high-quality, value-added food products like peanut butter, Yummy Soy, and animal feed, while also marketing wild-harvested goods like mango, honey, and mushrooms.

Expected Social Impact

Netri’s loan will help strengthen COMACO’s model, which delivers ongoing technical training to local farmers through a robust network of extension officers and programs focused on agronomy and conservation. Today, COMACO works with over 335,230 farmers across Eastern and Muchinga Provinces, building skills, improving yields, and restoring ecosystems—one harvest at a time.