The Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC) is a bilateral cooperation project between the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture. Established in 2014, AKTC serves as a leading training hub for market-oriented farmers, agribusiness specialists, and agricultural advisors.

Located at the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) Chaloshi farm in Chisamba, AKTC focuses on providing farmers with a know how on modern, sustainable, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Our hands-on training, demonstration trials, and expert-led workshops empower stakeholders with the latest innovations in sustainable crop production, regenerative agriculture, and agroecology.

The Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre (AKTC) officially commenced operations on 1st August 2014, as a flagship initiative of the bilateral cooperation programme between the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture. The project was designed to enhance knowledge exchange, skills development, and technology transfer in Zambia’s agricultural sector.

The AKTC was officially opened on 17th April 2017 during the AgriTech Expo in Chisamba. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Christian Schmidt, then Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture of Germany, and Hon. Given Lubinda, then Zambian Minister of Agriculture. The event was attended by approximately 170 guests including representatives of government ministries, NGOs, private sector partners, and key stakeholders.

Mr. Christian Schmidt, then Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture of Germany, and Hon. Given Lubinda, then Zambian Minister of Agriculture officially open AKTC during festive ceremony

The ceremony was held in the GART conference hall and featured participation from organizations such as Gopa AFC (including CEO Mr. Buschmeier and Ms. Tesa Weiss), GFA, and the implementing consortium.:

During its first phase, the core objective was:

“Implementing and operating a training and knowledge Centre offering practical training in modern agricultural technology and sustainable cultivation methods in crop production.”

Initially, the Centre partnered with 12 German private sector companies, six of whom continue to support AKTC till today. As of now, the Centre has 14 active private sector partners.

AKTC is implemented by a German consortium led by Gopa AFC Consultants International GmbH, with partners including IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH.

Initially, the Centre partnered with 12 German private sector companies, six of whom continue to support AKTC till today. As of now, the Centre has 12 active private sector partners.

AKTC is implemented by a German consortium led by Gopa AFC Consultants International GmbH, with partners including IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH.

The startup team consisted of three long-term experts:

• Mr. Martin Sikanyika (Zambia) – Machinery Specialist
• Mr. Leslie de Jager (Zimbabwe) – Plant Production Specialist
• Mr. Helmut Anschuetz (Germany) – Team Leader

These experts laid the groundwork by conducting soil sampling, preparing land, and receiving specialized training in Germany through DEULA Nienburg, using machinery similar to what was later deployed in Zambia.

Today, AKTC continues to serve as a state-of-the-art training hub, equipping farmers, technicians, and agricultural professionals across Zambia with hands-on experience in sustainable, mechanized agriculture.