Zambia's Paradox: National Food Security Amidst Household-Level Food Insecurity

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Zambia faces a paradoxical situation where the country achieves national food security through surplus agricultural production, yet significant portions of its population experience food insecurity at the household level. This disconnect arises from systemic issues such as socioeconomic disparities, inequities in food distribution, and climate vulnerabilities. Understanding and addressing this paradox is essential for ensuring that food security is both inclusive and sustainable. This study analyses the factors contributing to Zambia's national food security alongside the persistent household-level food insecurity. It seeks to identify the disconnects between policy and implementation, explore structural and social barriers, and propose actionable recommendations for bridging the gap. The study synthesizes data from academic literature, national reports, and global food security indices by adopting a review-based approach. Case studies from both rural and urban settings provide contextual insights, while comparative analysis with other countries offers a broader perspective. The analysis is guided by a framework encompassing the key dimensions of food security: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The findings indicate that while robust agricultural outputs and strategic policies strengthen Zambia’s national food security, household-level food insecurity persists due to poverty, limited market access, and inadequate social protection measures. Structural inefficiencies, post-harvest losses, and climatic risks further exacerbate these challenges. There is a significant need to align national food security policies with grassroots realities to ensure equitable outcomes. To address this paradox, the study recommends promoting climate-resilient farming practices, enhancing food distribution systems, and prioritizing smallholder farmers in policy frameworks. Social protection programs must be expanded to cover the most vulnerable populations, while community-based initiatives can foster local solutions to food insecurity. Bridging the gap will require coordinated efforts among government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders. This study underscores the importance of inclusive food systems to achieve equitable and sustainable food security in Zambia.