includes much of central Zambia, with most of Central, Southern, Eastern and Lusaka provinces. It contains the most fertile soils and most of the country's commercial farms. Annual rainfall in Region II averages 800-1000 mm, and the growing season is 100-140 days long. The most common soils in Region II are red to brown clayey to loamy soil types that are moderately to strongly leached. Physical characteristics of the soils that affect crop production, include low water holding capacity, shallow rooting depth, and top soils prone to rapid deterioration and erosion. These soils also have low nutrient reserves and retention capacity, are acid, have low organic matter and nitrogen content, and are phosphorus-deficient.

High-rainfall area which lies in a band across northern Zambia, including the Northern Luapula Copper belt, Northwestern provinces and some parts of the Central province. This region receives over 1000 mm of precipitation each year, and the growing season ranges from 120-150 days. Soils in Region III are highly weathered and leached, and characterized by extreme acidity. Consequently, the soils have few nutrients available for plant growth, and are high in exchangeable aluminum and manganese, both of which are toxic to most crops unless soils are limed to increase pH.