Rayford Phiri
Food Security Expert
Lusaka,09
Summary
Dynamic university graduate with over 20 years of experience in agriculture, food security, and business development management across Zambia and the Southern Africa region. Proven food security professional known for crafting and executing impactful strategies and campaigns that drive sustainable outcomes. Recognized for a collaborative approach, consistently achieving results through effective teamwork and adaptability in diverse environments. Committed to leveraging expertise to foster innovation and enhance food security initiatives within the community.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Food Reserve and Marketing Coordinator-South
Food Reserve Agency
01.2023 - 11.2025
- Implement strategic system at a Regional Level.
- Coordinator Procurement of grain food commodities from small scale farmers in rural areas.
- Coordinator with Humanitarian agency including Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and other NGOs
- Provides market linkages for small scale and emerging farmers in the Province.
- As an interface, disseminates information on the Agency’s activities to stakeholders at provincial level by organizing meetings and/ workshops.
Acting Food Reserve and Marketing Manager
Food Reserve Agency
Lusaka, Zambia
12.2024 - 05.2025
- Developed targeted marketing strategies to enhance Food Reserve Agency visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline grain purchases campaigns and initiatives.
- Analyzed market trends and farmer behavior to inform strategic decision-making.
- Led a team of Provincial Marketing Coordinators, fostering skill development and performance excellence.
Provincial Marketing Coordinator
Food Reserve Agency
Lusaka, Zambia
01.2012 - 01.2022
- Implement strategic system at a provincial level.
- Procures grain food commodities from small scale farmers in rural areas.
- Provides market linkages for small scale and emerging farmers in the Province.
- As an interface, disseminates information on the Agency’s activities to stakeholders at provincial level by organizing meetings and/ workshops.
- Supervises and provides backstop support to Warehouse Managers, Crop Quality Inspectors, Pest Controllers and other agents to ensure that the Quality of stock is preserved through approved warehouse practices and Pest control methods.
- Manages grain logistics and distribution to ensure provincial food security.
- Manages local food supply chains through grain supply to local millers, food processors and rural communities through social safety nets.
- Participates in the mandatory annual stock verification exercise and prepare reports on the marketing activities in the province.
- (Central, Lusaka and Eastern Provinces)
Market Information Assistant
Food Reserve Agency
Lusaka, Zambia
12.2008 - 12.2011
- Managed national stocks database.
- Coordinated data capture and processing of grain food commodities from 72 FRA warehouses in 10 provinces.
- Provided market information to stakeholders.
- Coordinated marketing of commodities for local and export markets.
- Managed and coordinated grain export sales to clients in the SADC/COMESA regions.
- Head Office
Marketing Assistant
Food Reserve Agency
Zambia
05.2005 - 12.2008
- Coordinated marketing and procurement of grain crops; maize, soy beans, cassava and rice from small scale farmers in rural districts of the districts mentioned above.
- Coordinated grain stock movement and logistics from satellite depots to main warehouses in the Districts.
- Supervised warehouse managers and depot staff in all the Districts.
- Monitored food security situation and vulnerability levels in rural communities.
- Ensured local food supply at community and districts.
- (Mkushi, Chipata, Petauke, Kabwe, Chisamba, Kalomo and Kasama)
Senior Field Supervisor
Commonwealth Development Corporation
08.2003 - 04.2005
- Maintained relationships with clients (Millers) in Copperbelt Central and Northwestern Province.
- Processed clients’ enquiries and generated quotations.
- Prepared wheat and Soy Bean sales documents.
- Supervised and inspected arable fields under out grower schemes.
- Provided agricultural input to arable fields in form of seed, chemicals and fertilizer.
- Maintained a data base of credit owed by various farms and ensured 100% recovery rate.
- Maintained customer relations with client farms for enhanced business growth.
- (multinational business)
- Under Mpongwe Development Corporation (Nampamba Farms)
Education
Master of Science - Project Management
Copperbelt University
Kitwe, Zambia08-2022
Bachelor of Arts - Developmental Studies And Public Administration
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia 12.2010 - 08.2019
Master of Science - Agriculture Economics
University of Zambia
03-2026
Postgraduate Certificate - Monitoring and Evaluation
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia07-2013
Diploma - Agriculture Business Management
Natural Resources Development College
Lusaka, Zambia03-2005
Grade Twelve School certificate - undefined
Hillcrest Senior National Technical Secondary School
11-1997
Skills
- Field of Expertise: Agricultural trade; smallholder markets, agribusiness, Project Management, Rural Development management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Research and Consultancy work
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Staff management both at Head Quarters and Regional Office
- Computer Skills: Microsoft applications; word, excel, power point, access, Internet and email use
- Presentation, public communication and facilitation skills
- Driving and extension skills: Ability to drive off-road in rural areas (SADC Class C Driver’s license)
Accomplishments
- Managed and coordinated the Importation of maize from Tanzania which saw the country overcoming the food insecurity without hiccups.
- Managed and Coordinated countrywide maize purchased from small scale farmers.
- Managed and Coordinated maize exports to Congo, Angola, Malawi and Angola.
- Supervise and Coordinated countrywide stock movement.
Interests
Travelling, site seeing, reading, professional networking with NGOs, Agribusiness associations, Think tanks and Knowledge Institutes involved in international development, poverty, food security work and other global issues
Affiliations
- Member Agricultural Institute of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Research Association of Zambia, Lusaka Zambia.
Language skills
Zambian languages; Nyanja, Bemba, Lozi and Tonga
English; fluent written and verbal skills.
Additional Information
Certificate in Diplomatic Practice, Protocol and Public Relations
Awarded: June 2025
Zambia Institute of Diplomacy Studies and International Studies
Timeline
Acting Food Reserve and Marketing Manager
Food Reserve Agency
12.2024 - 05.2025
Food Reserve and Marketing Coordinator-South
Food Reserve Agency
01.2023 - 11.2025
Provincial Marketing Coordinator
Food Reserve Agency
01.2012 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Developmental Studies And Public Administration
University of Zambia
12.2010 - 08.2019
Market Information Assistant
Food Reserve Agency
12.2008 - 12.2011
Marketing Assistant
Food Reserve Agency
05.2005 - 12.2008
Senior Field Supervisor
Commonwealth Development Corporation
08.2003 - 04.2005
Postgraduate Certificate - Monitoring and Evaluation
University of Zambia
Diploma - Agriculture Business Management
Natural Resources Development College
Grade Twelve School certificate - undefined
Hillcrest Senior National Technical Secondary School
Master of Science - Project Management
Copperbelt University
Master of Science - Agriculture Economics
University of Zambia
Research interest areas
- Small scale agribusiness entrepreneurship
- Value chain analysis
- Agricultural trade and markets
- Food security, poverty and rural livelihood
- Climate change, carbon markets, GHG Mitigation
- Sustainable Soil and water management
- Ecosystem services and biodiversity.