How Climate Finance is Improving Food Security in Zambia: The Mutonka Hammer Mill

In rural Zambia, access to essential services like grain milling plays a critical role in food security, livelihoods, and economic resilience.

In Bunda Bunda Chiefdom, within the Lower Zambezi REDD+ Project, over 120 households previously travelled up to 6 kilometres to mill maize, a time-consuming and costly process.

Established in 2022, the Mutonka Hammer Mill is changing that reality by bringing affordable, local milling services closer to the community.

Reducing Costs and Improving Access to Milling Services

The introduction of the Mutonka Hammer Mill has significantly reduced both distance and cost.

• Milling costs have dropped from ZMW 45 to ZMW 30 per 50kg bag
• This represents a 33 percent reduction in cost
• Over 120 households now have access to a nearby milling facility

This shift saves time, reduces physical strain, and allows households to allocate resources more efficiently.

Why Grain Milling is Critical for Food Security

Grain milling is an essential step in transforming maize into mealie meal, Zambia’s staple food.

Without access to affordable milling:

• Households face delays in food preparation
• Costs increase, reducing disposable income
• Time is lost travelling long distances

Reliable local milling services improve:

• Household food security
• Time efficiency for farming and income generation
• Financial resilience through reduced costs

Small infrastructure investments like hammer mills have an outsized impact on daily life in rural communities.

Community-Led Climate Finance in Action

The Mutonka Hammer Mill was funded through Forest Carbon Fees, generated by high-integrity REDD+ carbon projects.

This is a clear example of climate finance in Zambia being translated into practical, community-prioritised solutions.

Projects like this demonstrate how REDD+ projects support local development, ensuring that carbon revenues deliver tangible benefits beyond emissions reductions.

Strengthening Rural Economies Through Local Investment

By bringing milling services into the community, the project:

• Keeps income circulating locally
• Supports cooperative-led enterprise models
• Reduces reliance on external service providers

This contributes to stronger, more self-reliant rural economies.

From Forest Conservation to Livelihood Impact

At BCP, our approach links forest conservation, climate finance, and community development.

When communities have access to essential services and sustainable income opportunities:

• Pressure on forests decreases
• Livelihoods improve
• Conservation outcomes become more durable

The Mutonka Hammer Mill is a practical example of how nature-based solutions can deliver both environmental and socio-economic impact.