The Agricultural Marketing Act, 2026

[No. 8 of 2026 267Agricultural Marketing
Single copies of this Act can be obtained from the Government Printer,
P.O. Box 30136, 10101, Lusaka, Price K52.00 each
THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT, 2026
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement
2. Interpretation
PART II
THE ZAMBIA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING COUNCIL
3. Zambia Agricultural Marketing Council
4. Functions of Council
5. Constitution of Board
6. Functions of Board
7. Executive Director, Secretary and other staff of Council
PART III
AGRICULTURAL MARKET OBSERVATORY UNIT
8. Agricultural Market Observatory Unit
9. Information management and dissemination systems
PART IV
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURAL MARKETING
AND MARKET PLAYERS
10. Non-application of part
11. Prohibition of engaging in agricultural marketing or acting
as market player without registration
12. Registration of persons engaged in agricultural marketing
and market players
13. Request for additional information
14. Validity of certificate
15. Renewal of certificate
16. Change in details
17. Display of certificate
18. Transfer of certificate
19. Suspension or cancellation of certificate
20.

Renewal of certificate
16. Change in details
17. Display of certificate
18. Transfer of certificate
19. Suspension or cancellation of certificate
20.

Obligations of registered persons enganged in agricultural
marketing and registered market players

PART V
INTERVENTION MEASURES
21. Declaration of agricultural product or class of agricultural
product
22. Intervention measures
23. Consultations
24. Import and export regulations
PART VI
INSPECTORATE
25. Inspectors
26. Powers of inspectors
PART VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
27. Traceability and digital systems
28. Research and development
29. Register
30. Appeals
31. General offences
32. General penalty
33. Offence by body corporate or unincorporate body
34. Administrative penalty
35. Immunity
36. Guidelines
37. Regulations
SCHEDULE
268 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

porate or unincorporate body
34. Administrative penalty
35. Immunity
36. Guidelines
37. Regulations
SCHEDULE
268 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

An Act to establish the Zambian Agricultural Marketing
Council and define its functions, regulate and support
agricultural markets, promote an efficient, private sector-
driven agricultural marketing system, establish the
Agricultural Marketing Observatory Unit to manage data
and information on agricultural products and markets,
facilitate access to agricultural markets, promote the
competitiveness of agricultural products and services in
domestic, regional and international markets, establish a
framework for intervention measures relating to an
agricultural product, and provide for matters connected
with, or incidental to, the foregoing. [8th April, 2026
ENACTED by the Parliament of Zambia. PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Marketing Act,
2026, and shall come into operation on the date that the Minister
may, by statutory instrument, appoint. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“agricultural marketing” means the process of moving farm
produced goods to a consumer and includes production,
storage, processing, transportation and distribution;
Enactment
Short title
and
commen-
cement
Interpretation
[No.

a consumer and includes production,
storage, processing, transportation and distribution;
Enactment
Short title
and
commen-
cement
Interpretation
[No.

8 of 2026 269Agricultural Marketing
GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA
ACT
No. 8 of 2026
Date of Assent: 31st March, 2026

8 of 2026 269Agricultural Marketing
GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA
ACT
No. 8 of 2026
Date of Assent: 31st March, 2026

“agricultural product” means an input for horticulture,
aquaculture, apiculture or a livestock activity or a product
derived from farming, which is raw, processed or semi-
processed;
“associate” has the meaning assigned to the word in the Anti-
Corruption Act;
“Board” means the Board of the Council constituted under
section 5;
“certificate” means a certificate of registration issued under
section 12;
“certified warehouse” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Agricultural Credits and Warehouse Receipts Act,
2026;
“Chairperson” means the person elected as Chairperson of
the Board under section 5;
“citizen” has the meaning assigned to the word in the
Constitution;
“class of agricultural product” means a type or variety of
agricultural product determined by the size, mass, measure,
number, colour, appearance, purity, composition or any other
characteristic;
“consumer” has the meaning assigned to the word in the
Competition and Consumer Protection Act;
“Council” means the Zambia Agricultural Marketing Council
established under section 3;
“dealing in agricultural product” means to engage in a
commercial or economic activity of an agricultural product
from the point of production to the point of consumption,
import or export;
“declared agricultural product” means an agricultural product
which has been declared under section 21;
“designated institution” means an institution designated by the
Minister under section 22, for the purposes of monitoring
the implementation of an intervention measure prescribed
under this Act;
“Emoluments Commission” means the Emoluments
Commission established under the Constitution;
“Executive Director” means a person appointed as Executive
Director of the Council under section 7;
Cap.

ommission established under the Constitution;
“Executive Director” means a person appointed as Executive
Director of the Council under section 7;
Cap.

91
Act No. 7 of
2026
Cap. 1
Cap. 417
Cap. 1
270 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

91
Act No. 7 of
2026
Cap. 1
Cap. 417
Cap. 1
270 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

“Food Reserve Agency” means the Food Reserve Agency
continued under the Food Reserve Act, 2026;
“food security” has the meaning assigned to the words in the
Food Reserve Act, 2026;
“intervention measure” means a measure that applies to an
agricultural product or class of agricultural product declared
under section 21;
“legally disqualified” means the absence of legal capacity as
provided under section 4 of the Mental Health Act;
“market player” means a person or entity dealing in an
agricultural product or any other participant in the marketing
value chain, as may be prescribed in consultation with the
ministries responsible for trade and fisheries and livestock;
“marketing infrastructure” includes wholesale and retail
markets, agri business centres, agricultural products storage
facilities and road networks necessary for cost effective
marketing of an agricultural product;
“marketing system” means the interplay between the
functions, institutions, persons engaged in agricultural
marketing, market players, processes and marketing
infrastructure and services for the movement of an
agricultural product from production or the point of import
and export to the final consumer and includes aggregation,
storage, grading, transportation, processing, packaging,
distribution, sale or exchange of the agricultural products,
in physical or digital markets;
“marketing value chain” means the different stages of
agricultural marketing of an agricultural product, from the
producer to the consumer, in its original or processed form,
and includes horizontal and vertical arrangements between
different market players;
“National Strategic Food Reserve” has the meaning assigned
to the words in the Food Reserve Act, 2026
“processor” means a person who processes or manufactures
an agricultural product;
“regulatory agency” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Food Reserve Act, 2026;
Act No.

ho processes or manufactures
an agricultural product;
“regulatory agency” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Food Reserve Act, 2026;
Act No.

6 of
2026
Act No. 6 of
2026
Cap. 305
Act No. 6 of
2026
Act No. 6 of
2026
[No. 8 of 2026 271Agricultural Marketing

6 of
2026
Act No. 6 of
2026
Cap. 305
Act No. 6 of
2026
Act No. 6 of
2026
[No. 8 of 2026 271Agricultural Marketing

“relative” has the meaning assigned to the word in the Anti-
Corruption Act;
“sectoral activities” means agricultural value chain related
activities;
“stock levels” means the quantity of a declared agricultural
product or class of agricultural product available in the
Republic;
“traceability” means identification of the origin, movement,
processing and distribution path of a declared agricultural
product or class of declared agricultural products through
the stages of the marketing value chain;
“Unit” means the Agricultural Marketing Observatory Unit
established under section 8;
“Vice-Chairperson” means the person appointed as Vice-
Chairperson of the Board under section 5; and
“Warehouse Licensing Authority” means the Warehouse
Licensing Authority continued under the Agricultural Credits
and Warehouse Receipts, Act, 2026. PART II
THE ZAMBIA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING COUNCIL
3.

e
Licensing Authority continued under the Agricultural Credits
and Warehouse Receipts, Act, 2026. PART II
THE ZAMBIA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING COUNCIL
3.

(1) There is established the Zambia Agricultural Marketing
Council which is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a
common seal, capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name
and with power subject to the provisions of this Act, to do acts and
things that a body corporate may, by law, do or perform. (2) The Schedule applies to the Council. 4. (1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act and any other
relevant written law, the functions of the Council are to—
(a) regulate persons engaged in agricultural marketing and
market players;
(b) promote and facilitate an efficient, competitive private-
sector driven marketing system;
(c) promote the development of marketing infrastructure;
(d) determine the size of the National Strategic Food Reserve
specified under the Food Reserve Act, 2026;
(e) monitor stock levels for agricultural products;
Cap. 91
Zambia
Agricultural
Marketing
Council
Functions of
Council
Act No. 6
of 2026
Act No. 7 of
2026
272 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

ucts;
Cap. 91
Zambia
Agricultural
Marketing
Council
Functions of
Council
Act No. 6
of 2026
Act No. 7 of
2026
272 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(f) collaborate with the ministry responsible for trade and
other regulatory agencies to develop programmes and
plans on agricultural products and agricultural marketing;
(g) conduct research on agricultural marketing;
(h) collect, analyse, and disseminate, data and information
relating to agricultural products, agricultural marketing,
certified warehousing and other relevant sectoral activities
to the public and market players;
(i) promote the growth of agriculture in the private sector;
(j) make recommendations to the Minister on the intervention
measures on a declared agricultural product or class of
agricultural product;
(k) in collaboration with the ministry responsible for trade—
(i) promote a well-functioning agricultural market in
order to reduce price volatility of agricultural
products; and
(ii) develop and implement agricultural market
linkages;
(l) promote agribusiness trade market access;
(m)promote innovation and utilisation of modern marketing
technology in the marketing value chain;
(n) oversee the development and implementation of a
coordinated marketing system;
(o) facilitate capacity building for registered persons engaged
in agricultural marketing and market players;
(p) facilitate consultation with the regulatory agencies,
designated institutions and market players; and
(q) advise the Minister and the minister responsible for trade
on matters relating to the development of agricultural
marketing infrastructure and agricultural marketing.

ter and the minister responsible for trade
on matters relating to the development of agricultural
marketing infrastructure and agricultural marketing.

(2) The Council shall, in determining the size of the National
Strategic Food Reserve in accordance with subsection (1)(d), take
into account the following:
(a) lean period;
(b) human consumption;
(c) industrial requirements;
[No. 8 of 2026 273Agricultural Marketing

(1)(d), take
into account the following:
(a) lean period;
(b) human consumption;
(c) industrial requirements;
[No. 8 of 2026 273Agricultural Marketing

(d) livestock requirements;
(e) mobilisation of resources;
(f) importation period;
(g) climate change; or
(h) any other factors that the Council may determine. (3) The Council shall, with the approval of the Minister, publish
the size of the National Strategic Food Reserve in the Gazette or a
daily newspaper of general circulation in the Republic and any other
electronic media that the Council may determine, within seven days
after a crop forecasting. (4) The Council may, in the performance of the Council’s
functions under this Act, require a designated institution, a registered
person engaged in agricultural marketing and a registered market
player to furnish the Council with information that is necessary for
the performance of the Council’s functions under this Act. (5) The Schedule applies to the Council. 5.

Council with information that is necessary for
the performance of the Council’s functions under this Act. (5) The Schedule applies to the Council. 5.

(1) There is constituted the Board of the Council which
consist of the following part-time members appointed by the
Minister:
(a) a representative each from the ministries responsible for—
(i) agriculture;
(ii) finance; and
(iii) trade and industry;
(b) a representative of the Attorney-General;
(c) a representative of the most representative association of —
(i) commercial farmers;
(ii) small-scale farmers; and
(iii) processors;
(d) a representative of an association representing the grain
traders; and
(e) one person from the private sector with knowledge and
experience relevant to this Act. (2) The members referred to under subsection (1)(a), (b),(c)
and (d) shall be nominated by their respective ministries, institutions
or organisations for appointment by the Minister. Constitution
of Board
274 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

respective ministries, institutions
or organisations for appointment by the Minister. Constitution
of Board
274 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(3) The members shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson from amongst the members referred to in subsection
(1) (c), (d) and (e). (4) A person shall not be nominated or appointed as a member
of the Board if that person—
(a) is not a citizen;
(b) is an undischarged bankrupt;
(c) has been convicted of an offence involving fraud or
dishonesty under this Act;
(d) has been convicted of an offence under this Act or any
other written law and sentenced to imprisonment for a
term exceeding six months without an option of a fine;
(e) is legally disqualified from performing the functions of a
member; or
(f) is a member of the Board of the Food Reserve Agency
or the Board of the Warehouse Licensing Authority. 6. (1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the Board
shall perform the functions of the Council and provide strategic
policy direction to the Council.

bject to the other provisions of this Act, the Board
shall perform the functions of the Council and provide strategic
policy direction to the Council.

(2) Despite the generality of subsection (1), the functions of
the Board are to—
(a) formulate the policies, programmes and strategies of the
Council;
(b) approve the annual budget estimates and financial
statements of the Council;
(c) approve the annual workplan, action plans and activity
reports of the Council;
(d) monitor and evaluate the performance of the Council
against budgets and plans; and
(e) promote the effective corporate governance of the
Council. (3) The Minister may give the Board general or specific
directions relating to the performance of its functions and the Board
shall give effect to those directions to the extent that the directions
are not inconsistent with this Act. (4) The Minister may enter into specific performance contracts
with the Board for a specific period which shall be consistent with
the provisions of this Act. Functions of
Board
[No. 8 of 2026 275Agricultural Marketing

the Board for a specific period which shall be consistent with
the provisions of this Act. Functions of
Board
[No. 8 of 2026 275Agricultural Marketing

(5) The Board may, by direction in writing and on conditions
that the Board considers necessary, delegate to the Executive
Director any of the Board’s functions under this Act. (6) A delegation made under subsection (5) shall not prevent
the Board from performing the function so delegated. 7. (1) The Board shall appoint an Executive Director who shall
be—
(a) the chief executive officer of the Council; and
(b) responsible for the day to day administration of the Council
under the direction of the Board. (2) The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall perform the
Board secretarial duties of the Board and other functions that the
Board may determine, under the direction of the Board and the
Executive Director. (3) The Board shall appoint other staff of the Council that the
Board considers necessary for the performance of the Council’s
functions. (4) The Emoluments Commission shall, on the recommendation
of the Board, determine the emoluments of the Executive Director,
Secretary and other staff of the Council. (5) The Board shall determine the conditions of service, other
than emoluments of the Executive Director, Secretary and other
staff of the Council.

l. (5) The Board shall determine the conditions of service, other
than emoluments of the Executive Director, Secretary and other
staff of the Council.

PART III
AGRICULTURAL MARKET OBSERVATORY UNIT
8. (1) There is established in the Council the Agricultural
Marketing Observatory Unit which shall be responsible for
collecting, storing, analysing and disseminating data and information
on sectorial activities, production, pricing and consumption of, and
trade in, agricultural products and other relevant market indicators
on the domestic, regional and international market. (2) The Unit shall, for the purposes of subsection (1), collaborate
with relevant regulatory agencies, research institutions and the
private sector. (3) The Unit shall provide accessible, timely and up to date
data and information referred to under subsection (1) to the Ministries
responsible for agriculture, trade, fisheries and livestock and market
players. Executive
Director,
Secretary
and other
staff of
Council
Agricultural
Market
Observatory
Unit
276 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

arket
players. Executive
Director,
Secretary
and other
staff of
Council
Agricultural
Market
Observatory
Unit
276 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

9. (1) The Council shall develop and implement systems for
the management and publication of data and information collected,
stored, analysed and disseminated under section 8. (2) The Council may, for purposes of subsection (1), by notice,
request a regulatory agency, designated institution, market player
or any other person, at intervals that the Council may determine, to
submit to the Unit a report on agricultural products and sectoral
activities. PART IV
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURAL MARKETING
AND MARKET PLAYERS
10. This Part shall not apply to a person engaged in agricultural
marketing or a market player that the Minister may, in consultation
with the minister responsible for trade, by statutory instrument,
exempt. 11. (1) A person shall not engage in agricultural marketing or
act as a market player unless that person is registered in accordance
with this Act. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an
offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two
hundred thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not
exceeding two years, or to both. 12.

iable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two
hundred thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not
exceeding two years, or to both. 12.

(1) A person who intends to engage in agricultural marketing
or act as a market player shall apply to the Council for registration
in a prescribed manner and form on payment of a prescribed fee. (2) The Council shall, within fourteen days of receipt of an
application under subsection (1), grant or reject the application. (3) The Council shall, where the Council rejects an application
under subsection (2), inform the applicant, in a prescribed form,
stating the reasons for the rejection. (4) The Council shall, where an applicant meets the prescribed
requirements, issue the applicant with a certificate of registration
in a prescribed form. 13. The Council may request an applicant to submit additional
information relating to an application made under section 12. 14. (1) A certificate issued under this Act shall be valid for a
period of three years. (2) Despite subsection (1), a certificate shall be subject to the
payment of an annual marketing levy as may be prescribed.

r a
period of three years. (2) Despite subsection (1), a certificate shall be subject to the
payment of an annual marketing levy as may be prescribed.

Information
management
and
dissemination
systems
Non-
application
of Part
Prohibition
of engaging
in
agricultural
marketing or
acting as
market
player
without
registration
Registration
of persons
engaged in
agricultural
marketing
and market
players
Request for
additional
information
Validity of
certificate
[No. 8 of 2026 277Agricultural Marketing

gaged in
agricultural
marketing
and market
players
Request for
additional
information
Validity of
certificate
[No. 8 of 2026 277Agricultural Marketing

15. A holder of a certificate issued under this Part may, three
months before the expiry of the certificate apply for renewal of
the certificate, in a prescribed manner and for on payment of a
prescribed fee. (2) The Council shall, within thirty days of receipt of an
application under subsection (1), grant or reject the application. (3) The Council shall, where the Council rejects an application
referred to under subsection (1), inform the applicant in a prescribed
form, stating the reasons for the rejection. (4) The Council shall, where the applicant satisfies the
prescribed requirements, issue the applicant with a renewed
certificate in a prescribed form. (5) A certificate that is not renewed is void. 16. A registered person engaged in agricultural marketing or
a registered market player under this Act shall notify the Council of
any change in the particulars relating to the registration, within seven
days of the change. 17. A holder of a certificate shall display the certificate in a
conspicuous place at the place of business. 18. (1) A holder of a certificate shall not transfer a certificate
to a third party without the prior approval of the Council.

the place of business. 18. (1) A holder of a certificate shall not transfer a certificate
to a third party without the prior approval of the Council.

(2) A holder of a certificate who intends to transfer a certificate
shall apply to the Council for approval to transfer the certificate in
a prescribed manner and form on payment of a prescribed fee. 19. (1) The Council may suspend or cancel a certificate if the
holder—
(a) contravenes a provision of this Act;
(b) obtained the certificate through fraud, misrepresentation
or concealment of a material fact;
(c) has failed to comply with a term and condition of a
certificate; or
(d) is convicted of an offence under this Act or any other
written law. (2) The Council shall, before cancelling a certificate in
accordance with subsection (1), notify the holder of the certificate,
in a prescribed form, of the Council’s intention to cancel the
certificate and shall—
(a) give reasons for the intended cancellation; and
Change in
details
Display of
certificate
Transfer of
certificate
Suspension
or
cancellation
of certificate
278 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

d
Change in
details
Display of
certificate
Transfer of
certificate
Suspension
or
cancellation
of certificate
278 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(b) require the holder of the certificate to show cause, within
a period of not more than seventy two hours, why the
certificate should not be cancelled. (3) The Council shall not cancel a certificate under this section
if the holder shows cause to the satisfaction of the Council within
the period referred to in subsection (2)(b) why the certificate should
not be cancelled. (4) The Council shall in a prescribed form cancel the certificate
if the holder, having been notified in accordance with subsection
(2), does not show cause within the period referred to in subsection
(2)(b) to the satisfaction of the Council why the certificate should
not be cancelled. (5) A holder of a certificate that is cancelled shall, within
seventy two hours of being notified of the cancellation, surrender
the certificate to the Council. (6) A person who contravenes subsection (5) commits an
offence. 20. A registered person engaged in agricultural marketing and
a registered market player shall—
(a) submit annual returns to the Council as may be prescribed;
(b) provide the Council with such information as the Council
may require; and
(c) comply with the code of conduct developed by the Council.

rescribed;
(b) provide the Council with such information as the Council
may require; and
(c) comply with the code of conduct developed by the Council.

PART V
INTERVENTION MEASURES
21. (1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the
Council, by notice in the Gazette, declare an agricultural product or
class of agricultural products to which a prescribed statutory
intervention measure shall apply. (2) A declaration, made under subsection (1), shall—
(a) specify the—
(i) effective date of the declaration;
(ii) agricultural product or class of agricultural
product;
(iii) intervention measures that applies to the declared
agricultural product or class of agricultural
product; and
Obligations
of registered
persons
engaged in
agricultural
marketing
and
registered
market
players
Declaration
of
agricultural
product or
class of
agricultural
product
[No. 8 of 2026 279Agricultural Marketing

marketing
and
registered
market
players
Declaration
of
agricultural
product or
class of
agricultural
product
[No. 8 of 2026 279Agricultural Marketing

(iv) conditions for review or revocation of the
declaration; and
(b) be based on market data and the input of registered persons
engaged in agricultural marketing and registered market
players. 22. (1) Subject to section 23, the Minister may, on the
recommendation of the Council, prescribe an intervention measure
relating to an agricultural product or class of agricultural products. (2) The Council shall, in making the recommendation under
subsection (1), ensure that the intervention measure is—
(a) necessary and consistent with national economic and
agricultural policy objectives;
(b) competitive and does not restrict market entry;
(c) inclusive of small-scale farmers, women and the youth;
(d) evidence based, cost effective and transparently
implemented and enforced; and
(e) consistent with other written laws and the Republic’s
international obligations. (3) A recommendation made under subsection (1) shall be
accompanied by a report on the rationale for the intervention measure
which shall include—
(a) an analysis of the costs and benefits of the intervention;
and
(b) a monitoring and review plan.

for the intervention measure
which shall include—
(a) an analysis of the costs and benefits of the intervention;
and
(b) a monitoring and review plan.

(4) An intervention measure prescribed under subsection (1)
shall directly or significantly advance one or more of the following
objectives:
(a) promote equitable participation of small scale farmers,
women and youth in agricultural markets;
(b) safeguard fair competition in agricultural markets;
(c) facilitate key market linkages in the marketing system so
as to exploit economies of scale;
(d) inform decisions on export and import policy for
agricultural products;
(e) facilitate the development of competitive and efficient
marketing infrastructure and communication systems;
Intervention
measures
280 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

pment of competitive and efficient
marketing infrastructure and communication systems;
Intervention
measures
280 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(f) promote sustainable climate-resilient practices;
(g) enhance the provision of information and data on prices,
buyers and suppliers of agricultural products;
(h) positively impact supply and demand of agricultural
products;
(i) facilitate communication between suppliers, buyers and
service providers; and
(j) align marketing measures with international trade and food
security frameworks. (5) A statutory intervention measure shall state—
(a) the period for which the statutory intervention measure
will remain in force;
(b) an agricultural product or class of agricultural products
declared under section 21 to which the statutory
intervention measure applies;
(c) the purpose for the statutory intervention measure; and
(d) any other details that the Minister may determine. (6) The Minister shall, within fourteen days of receipt of a
recommendation under subsection (1)—
(a) accept the recommendation;
(b) refer it back to the Council for further investigation or
analysis; or
(c) reject the recommendation, stating the reasons for the
rejection.

tion;
(b) refer it back to the Council for further investigation or
analysis; or
(c) reject the recommendation, stating the reasons for the
rejection.

(7) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, designate one
or more institutions to monitor the implementation of a statutory
intervention measure prescribed under this section. (8) The designated institution referred to under subsection (7)
shall submit a monitoring report to the Minister, containing
information, and at intervals, that the Council may determine. 23. (1) The Council shall, for purposes of section 22, conduct
consultations with registered persons engaged in agricultural
marketing and registered market players. (2) The Council shall, for purposes of subsection (1), publish
in the newspaper of general circulation in the Republic or the
Gazette and on the website of the Ministries responsible for
agriculture and trade, a draft of the statutory intervention measure
and its rationale, for public comment, at least seven days before
the commencement of the consultations. Consultations
[No. 8 of 2026 281Agricultural Marketing

ationale, for public comment, at least seven days before
the commencement of the consultations. Consultations
[No. 8 of 2026 281Agricultural Marketing

(3) The Council shall establish mechanisms for feedback from
registered persons engaged in agricultural marketing and registered
market players. 24. (1) Subject to the Control of Goods Act, the Minister shall,
on the recommendation of the Council and in consultation with the
Minister responsible for trade, by statutory instrument, issue import
and export regulations, on a declared agricultural product or declared
class of agricultural products—
(a) to address or mitigate a food safety risk or threat to public
health;
(b) to comply with binding international trade obligations or
sanctions;
(c) under a state of emergency, when declared in accordance
with the Constitution, the Water Resources Management
Act or the Disaster Management Act; or
(d) to ensure national food security, during periods of
compelling evidence of shortages of an agricultural
product or class of agricultural product. (2) The Regulations issued in accordance with subsection (1)
shall—
(a) specify the duration and conditions for review of the
Regulations;
(b) state reasons and criteria used to justify the regulations;
and
(c) be published in a newspaper general circulation in the
Republic.

Regulations;
(b) state reasons and criteria used to justify the regulations;
and
(c) be published in a newspaper general circulation in the
Republic.

(3) The import or export Regulations issued in accordance with
this section, shall be proportionate, non discriminatory and not
constitute a disguised restriction on domestic or international trade. PART VI
INSPECTORATE
25. (1) The Council shall appoint suitably qualified persons as
inspectors to ensure compliance with this Act. (2) The Council shall provide an inspector with an identification
card which shall be prima facie evidence of the inspector’s
appointment as inspector. (3) An inspector shall, in performing a function under this Act —
Import and
export
regulations
Cap. 421
Cap. 1
Cap. 132
Cap. 198
Inspectors
282 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

rming a function under this Act —
Import and
export
regulations
Cap. 421
Cap. 1
Cap. 132
Cap. 198
Inspectors
282 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(a) be in possession of the identification card referred to in
subsection (2); and
(b) show the identification card to a person who requests to
see the identification card or is the subject of an
investigation under this Act. 26.

and
(b) show the identification card to a person who requests to
see the identification card or is the subject of an
investigation under this Act. 26.

(1) An inspector may, for the purpose of enforcing the
provisions of this Act, at any reasonable time, without prior notice,
and on the authority of a warrant, enter any premises that the
inspector has reasonable grounds to believe is used for the
commission of an offence or contrary to the provisions of this Act,
and—
(a) search the premises;
(b) search any person on the premises if the inspector has
reasonable grounds to believe that the person has
possession of an article, document or record that has a
bearing on an inspection or investigation, except that a
person shall only be searched by a person of the same
sex;
(c) take extracts from, or make copies of, any book, document
or record that is on the premises and that has a bearing
on an inspection or investigation;
(d) demand the production of, and inspect, relevant
certificates; and
(e) make inquiries necessary to ascertain whether the
provisions of this Act or any other written law on which
an inspection or investigation is based, have been complied
with.

ry to ascertain whether the
provisions of this Act or any other written law on which
an inspection or investigation is based, have been complied
with.

(2) A court may issue a warrant on application by an inspector
if it appears from written information given by that inspector, on
oath or affirmation, that there are reasonable grounds to believe
that this Act has been or is likely to be contravened. (3) An inspector who removes anything from any premises
shall—
(a) issue a receipt for anything removed to the owner or the
person in control of the premises; and
(b) return anything removed as soon as practicable after the
thing removed has served the purpose for which it was
removed. Powers of
inspectors
[No. 8 of 2026 283Agricultural Marketing

as practicable after the
thing removed has served the purpose for which it was
removed. Powers of
inspectors
[No. 8 of 2026 283Agricultural Marketing

(4) A person commits an offence if that person—
(a) delays or obstructs an inspector in the performance of
the inspector’s functions under this Act;
(b) refuses to give an inspector reasonable assistance as the
inspector may require for the purpose of performing the
inspector’s functions;
(c) impersonates an inspector or presents oneself to be an
inspector; or
(d) wilfully gives an inspector false or misleading information
in answer to an inquiry made by the inspector. (5) A person convicted of an offence under subsection (4) is
liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand
penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three
years, or to both. (6) An inspector shall furnish the Council with a written report
and any other information relating to an inspection. PART VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
27. The Council shall require a registered person engaged in
agricultural marketing and a registered market player under this
Act to maintain traceability systems for all declared products in
accordance with the prescribed minimum traceability standards. 28.

player under this
Act to maintain traceability systems for all declared products in
accordance with the prescribed minimum traceability standards. 28.

The Council may, in collaboration with other regulatory
agencies and designated institutions, undertake research and
development relating to—
(a) modern information technology and communication
systems for purposes of improving, strengthening and
facilitating agricultural marketing; and
(b) marketing infrastructure. 29. (1) The Council shall keep and maintain a register of—
(a) registered persons engaged in agricultural marketing and
registered market players;
(b) certificates issued, suspended or cancelled;
(c) agricultural products or class of agricultural products
declared under section 21;
(d) statutory intervention measures applying to declared
agricultural products or class of declared agricultural
products;
Traceability
and digital
systems
Research and
development
Register
284 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

class of declared agricultural
products;
Traceability
and digital
systems
Research and
development
Register
284 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(e) designated institutions; and
(f) any other information that the Council may determine. (2) The register shall be kept in the custody of the Executive
Director and shall be open for inspection by members of the public
during normal office hours, on payment of a prescribed fee. (3) The Executive Director may, on an application by any
person, issue to the person a certified extract from the register, on
payment of a prescribed fee. (4) A document purporting to be an extract of an entry in the
register and certified under the hand of the Director shall be received
in evidence, as to the matters stated in the extract, in any legal
proceedings. (5) Subject to this Act, a copy of the last printed register shall
be prima facie evidence in legal proceedings of what is contained
in that Register. 30. (1) A person aggrieved with a decision of the Council may
appeal to the Minister within thirty days of receipt of the decision. (2) A person aggrieved with a decision of the Minister may
appeal to the High Court. 31.

o the Minister within thirty days of receipt of the decision. (2) A person aggrieved with a decision of the Minister may
appeal to the High Court. 31.

(1) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) contravenes any provision of this Act;
(b) refuses or fails, without reasonable excuse, to furnish
information or a document required under this Act;
(c) knowingly furnishes false or misleading information to the
Council, the Unit or an employee of the Council;
(d) obstructs an employee of the Council in the performance
of the functions under this Act; or
(e) fails to comply with a lawful order, regulation notice or
request made under this Act. 32. A person who contravenes a provision of this Act for which
a specific penalty is not provided, is liable, on conviction, to a fine
not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. 33. Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body
corporate or an unincorporate body, with the knowledge, consent
or connivance of the director, manager, shareholder or partner of
the body corporate or an unincorporate body, that director, manager,
Appeals
General
offences
General
penalty
Offence by
body
corporate or
unincorporate
body
[No. 8 of 2026 285Agricultural Marketing

t director, manager,
Appeals
General
offences
General
penalty
Offence by
body
corporate or
unincorporate
body
[No. 8 of 2026 285Agricultural Marketing

shareholder or partner commits the same offence as the body
corporate or unincorporate body and is liable, on conviction, to the
penalty specified for that offence under this Act. 34. (1) The Council may impose an administrative penalty on
a person for a failure to comply with a provision of this Act which
is not an offence. (2) An administrative penalty shall not exceed the amount
prescribed by the Minister by statutory instrument for each day
during which the failure continues. (3) An administrative penalty shall be paid to the Council within
the period prescribed by the Minister. (4) The Council may, where a person fails to pay an
administrative penalty within the stipulated period under subsection
(3), by way of civil action in a competent court, recover the amount
of the administrative penalty from that person as an amount due
and owing to the council. 35. An action or other proceeding shall not lie or be instituted
against a member of the Board, a member of a committee of the
Board and a member of staff of the Council for, or in respect of, an
act or thing done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise
or performance of a power or function conferred under this Act.

n respect of, an
act or thing done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise
or performance of a power or function conferred under this Act.

36. (1) The Council may, in the exercise of the Council’s
functions under this Act, issue guidelines as are necessary for the
better carrying out of the provisions of this Act. (2) The Council shall publish the guidelines issued under this
Act in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the Republic and
in the Gazette, and the guidelines shall take effect on the date of
publication. (3) The guidelines issued by the Council under this Act shall
bind the persons regulated under this Act. 37. (1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the
Council, make Regulations for the better carrying out of the provisions
of this Act. (2) Despite subsection (1), the Regulations made under that
subsection may provide for—
(a) the procedure and manner of applications and the fees
payable under this Act;
(b) form of registers;
Administrative
penalty
Immunity
Guidelines
Regulations
286 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

e fees
payable under this Act;
(b) form of registers;
Administrative
penalty
Immunity
Guidelines
Regulations
286 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(c) criteria for exemption from registration under this Act;
(d) classification of persons engaged in agricultural marketing
or market players to be registered under this Act;
(e) manner and form of reports;
(f) procedures for appeals;
(g) the manner and form of records required to be submitted
under this Act;
(h) requirements for traceability systems for a declared
agricultural product or class of agricultural product;
(i) operation of market information systems; and
(j) marketing system requirements.
[No. 8 of 2026 287Agricultural Marketing

of agricultural product;
(i) operation of market information systems; and
(j) marketing system requirements.
[No. 8 of 2026 287Agricultural Marketing

SCHEDULE
(Section 3(2) and 4(5))
PART I
ADMINISTRATION OF COUNCIL
1. (1) The seal of the Council shall be such device as may be
determined by the Council and shall be kept by the Secretary. (2) The affixing of the seal shall be authenticated by the
Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary or one other
person authorised in that behalf by a resolution of the Council. (3) A document purporting to be a document executed under
the seal of the Council or issued on behalf of the Council shall be
received in evidence and shall be deemed to be so executed or
issued, as the case may be, without further proof, unless the contrary
is proved. 2. (1) A member of the Board shall, subject to other provisions
of this Act, hold office for a term of three years and may be re
appointed for a further and final term of three years. (2) A member of the Council may, on the expiration of a term
for which a member is appointed, continue to hold office until another
member is appointed but in no case shall an extension of the period
exceed three months.

a member is appointed, continue to hold office until another
member is appointed but in no case shall an extension of the period
exceed three months.

(3) The office of a member of the Board becomes vacant if
the member
(a) dies;
(b) is adjudged bankrupt under any written law;
(c) resigns by giving one month’s notice, in writing, to the
Minister;
(d) is legally disqualified from performing the functions of a
member of the Board;
(e) is absent, without reasonable excuse, from three
consecutive meetings of the Board of which the member
has had notice without the prior approval of the Board; or
(f) is convicted of an offence under this Act or any other
written law and sentenced to imprisonment for a term
exceeding six months without the option of a fine. Seal of
Council
Tenure of
office and
vacancy
288 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

t for a term
exceeding six months without the option of a fine. Seal of
Council
Tenure of
office and
vacancy
288 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

(4) The Minister shall, where the office of a member of the
Board becomes vacant before the expiry of the term of office,
appoint another member to replace the member who vacates office
but that person shall only hold office for the unexpired term of that
office. 3. (1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the Board
may regulate its own procedure. (2) The Board shall meet for the transaction of business at
least once in every three months at a place and time that the
Chairperson may determine. (3) The Chairperson may, on giving notice of not less than
fourteen days, call for a meeting of the Board, or where one third
or more of the Board members so request, in writing, except that if
the urgency of a particular matter does not permit the giving of a
notice, a special meeting may be called on giving a shorter notice. (4) Five members of the Board shall form a quorum at a
meeting of the Board.

of a
notice, a special meeting may be called on giving a shorter notice. (4) Five members of the Board shall form a quorum at a
meeting of the Board.

(5) There shall preside at a meeting of the Board—
(a) the Chairperson;
(b) in the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson;
or
(c) in the absence of both the Chairperson and Vice
Chairperson, a member of the Board as the members of
the Board present may elect for the purpose of that
meeting. (7) A decision of the Board on any question shall be by a
majority of the members of the Board present and voting at the
meeting, and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding
at the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to that person’s
deliberative vote. (8) The Board may invite a person whose presence is in the
Board’s opinion desirable to attend and participate in the deliberations
of the meeting but that person shall have no vote. (9) The Board shall cause minutes to be kept of the proceedings
of every meeting of the Board and of any committee of the Board. 4. (1) The Board may, for the purpose of performing its functions
under this Act, constitute a committee and delegate any of the
Board’s functions to the committee that it considers necessary. Proceedings
of Board
Committees
of Board
[No. 8 of 2026 289Agricultural Marketing

the
Board’s functions to the committee that it considers necessary. Proceedings
of Board
Committees
of Board
[No. 8 of 2026 289Agricultural Marketing

(2) The Board may appoint as members of a committee persons
who are or are not members of the Board, except that at least one
member of the Board shall be a member of a committee. (3) A member of a committee shall hold office for a term that
the Board may determine. (4) Subject to any specific or general direction of the Board, a
committee may regulate its own procedure. 5. (1) A person who is present at a meeting of the Board or a
committee of the Board at which any matter is the subject of
consideration, and in which matter that person or that person’s
relative or associate is directly or indirectly interested in a private
capacity, shall, as soon as is practicable after the commencement
of the meeting, declare that interest and shall not, unless the Board
or the committee of the Board otherwise directs, take part in any
consideration or discussion of, or vote on, any question relating to
that matter. (2) A disclosure of interest made under subparagraph (1) shall
be recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which it is made. 6.

ating to
that matter. (2) A disclosure of interest made under subparagraph (1) shall
be recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which it is made. 6.

(1) A person shall not, without the consent in writing, given
by or on behalf of the Council, Board or committee of the Board,
publish or disclose to a person, other than in the course of duties of
that person, the contents of a document, communication or
information which relates to, or which has come to the knowledge
of that person in the course of that person’s duties under this Act. (2) A person who contravenes subparagraph (1) commits an
offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two
hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding two years, or to both. (3) A person who, having information which to that person’s
knowledge has been published or disclosed in contravention of
subparagraph (1), unlawfully publishes or communicates the
information to another person, commits an offence and is liable, on
conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty
units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to
both. 7. There shall be paid to a member Board or a member of a
committee of the Board such allowances as the Emoluments
Commission may determine, on the recommendation of the Minister.

ember Board or a member of a
committee of the Board such allowances as the Emoluments
Commission may determine, on the recommendation of the Minister.

Disclosure
of interest
Prohibition
of
publication
or disclosure
of
information
to
unauthorised
persons
Allowances
290 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

osure
of interest
Prohibition
of
publication
or disclosure
of
information
to
unauthorised
persons
Allowances
290 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing

PART II
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
8. (1) The funds of the Council consist of monies that may—
(a) be appropriated by Parliament;
(b) be paid to the Council by way of fees, grants or donations;
or
(c) vest in, or accrue to, the Council. (2) The Council may—
(a) subject to the approval of the Minister, accept monies by
way of grants or donations from any source in the Republic
and outside the Republic; or
(b) in accordance with regulations made under this Act,
charge and collect fees for services provided by the
Council. (3) The Council may raise loans in accordance with the Public
Debt Management Act, 2022. (4) There shall be paid from the funds of the Council—
(a) the salaries, allowances, loans, gratuities and pension of
the staff of the Council and other payments for the
recruitment and retention of staff;
(b) reasonable traveling and other allowances for members
of the Board or members of committee of the Board when
engaged in the business of the Council at rates that the
Emoluments Commission may, on the recommendation
of the Minister, determine; and
(c) any other expenses incurred by the Council in the
performance of the Council’s functions.

y, on the recommendation
of the Minister, determine; and
(c) any other expenses incurred by the Council in the
performance of the Council’s functions.

(5) Subject to the Public Finance Management Act, the Board
may, with the approval of the Minister, invest in a manner that the
Board considers necessary any of the Council’s funds that the
Council does not immediately require for the performance of the
Council’s functions. 9. The financial year of the Council shall be a period of twelve
months ending on 31st December in each year. 10. (1) The Board shall cause to be kept proper books of
accounts and other records relating to the Council’s accounts. Funds of
Council
Act No. 15
of 2022
Cap. 347
Financial
year
Accounts
and Audits
[No. 8 of 2026 291Agricultural Marketing

ng to the Council’s accounts. Funds of
Council
Act No. 15
of 2022
Cap. 347
Financial
year
Accounts
and Audits
[No. 8 of 2026 291Agricultural Marketing

(2) The accounts of the Council shall be audited annually by
the Auditor General or an auditor appointed by the Auditor-General.
(3) The fees for the Auditor General or an auditor appointed
by the Auditor General shall be paid by the Council.
11. (1) The Board shall, as soon as practicable, but not later
than ninety days after the end of a financial year, submit to the
Minister a report concerning the functions and activities of the
Council during the financial year.
(2) The report referred to in subparagraph (1) shall include
information on the financial affairs of the Council and there shall
be appended to the report—
(a) an audited statement of financial position;
(b) an audited statement of comprehensive income and
expenditure; and
(c) other information that the Minister may require.
(3) The Minister shall, not later than seven days after the first
sitting of the National Assembly next after receipt of the report
referred to in subparagraph (1), lay the report before the National
Assembly.
Annual
Report
292 No. 8 of 2026] Agricultural Marketing