Zambia · Est. 2012
Engaging with land owners and policy-makers to stimulate holistic thinking. We promote four globally proven technologies that regenerate eco-systems whilst improving profitability.
Grassroots Trust engages with land owners and policy-makers to stimulate holistic thinking. We promote four globally proven technologies that regenerate eco-systems whilst improving profitability — working with communities across Zambia since 2012.
A framework to consider social, environmental and economic factors simultaneously, reducing unintended consequences.
Reviving natural grazing patterns to restore pasture, reduce parasites, and rebuild degraded grasslands.
Enhancing natural water cycles and nutrient flows to increase yields without expensive external inputs.
Restoring indigenous tree cover from living stumps — faster and cheaper than replanting.
Founded in February 2012, Grassroots Trust (Company Reg: 99657) is a non-profit Company Limited by Guarantee established to help shape a viable future within the context of a fast-growing population, peak cheap oil, and a rapidly declining resource base.
The founders recognised that declining natural productivity and rural poverty can be reversed by addressing the root causes of environmental malfunction — biodiversity loss, desertification and climate change. Grassroots Trust exists to demonstrate that regeneration is both achievable and profitable.
We engage with land owners and policy-makers across Zambia, bringing Holistic Management principles and proven field technologies to smallholder farmers and communal herders most directly affected by land degradation.
Work with usDirector
Born in Lusaka in 1963. Farmer, wildlife guide, mechanic and businessman. Served in elected posts including the Farmers Union, Tourism Council, Natural Resource Consultative Forum, and the National Assembly. Now runs Grassroots Trust full-time, dedicated to shaping a viable, renewable future for coming generations.
Co-Director · Kafue Demo Farm
Conservation farmer, born in Kalulushi in 1978. Passionate innovator dedicated to developing appropriate low-input production technologies for Zambian farmers, particularly in the small-scale sector. Leads Grassroots Trust's research and demonstration farm in Kafue.
Co-founder · Chongwe
Lawyer and entrepreneur, born in Katete in 1983. Grew up facing the challenges Grassroots Trust was set up to address. Completed an LLB at UNZA in 2010 and runs businesses including his Chongwe farm. Japher left Grassroots Trust in 2025 due to commitments; he has since qualified as a lawyer.
Other Board Members
"The health of soil, plant, animal and man is one and indivisible."
— Sir Albert Howard · Foundational principle of holistic land management
Globally proven approaches that regenerate eco-systems whilst improving profitability — adapted for Zambia's land users and communities.
Framework
A comprehensive framework developed by Allan Savory to ensure decision-makers consider social, environmental and economic factors both short and long term — reducing unintended consequences. Grassroots Trust has tested this approach with diverse land-user communities across Zambia, finding that a holistic context inspires leaders to mobilise collective action.
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Livestock
Helping livestock owners revive natural and traditional grazing patterns to improve pasture and eco-systems while reducing the recycling of ticks, worms and parasites. Mimicking natural herd movement restores grasslands that decades of continuous grazing have degraded, recovering biodiversity and ground cover.
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Cropping
Enhancing natural water cycles and nutrient flows to increase profitability and sustainability. Sebastian Scott has spent over fifteen years researching and adapting high-production techniques for Zambian farmers with poor access to credit, inputs and machinery. Results are shared from our research and demo farm in Kafue.
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Agroforestry
Restoring indigenous trees from stumps, bushes and shrubs through Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration. Most trees felled in Zambia are still alive with intact root systems and respond quickly to selective pruning — far faster, cheaper and more ecologically diverse than replanting from seed.
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Livestock
March 2014
Exploring how giving pigs and chickens choice over their grain diet reduces feed costs, improves health outcomes and mimics the varied foraging behaviour of animals in natural systems. Results from the Kafue demonstration farm.
Read more →March 2014
March 2014
March 2014
January 2012
From the Zambezi escarpment in the west to the central plateau and Eastern Province, Grassroots Trust works wherever communities and ecosystems need support.
Whether you're a farmer, researcher, donor, or simply curious about holistic land management in Zambia — please get in touch. We respond to all enquiries personally.
