In response to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Zambia combined with rising levels of poverty and food insecurity, the Integrated Support to Sustainable Development and Food Security (IP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) commissioned a baseline study to examine the interlinkages between poverty, food security, agricultural production and HIV/AIDS, taking into account their wider ramifications on such issues as gender. This report, compiled by Farming Systems Association of Zambia (FASAZ), contains information collected during a situational analysis of rural livelihoods with special reference to gender and the effects of HIV/AIDS on the livelihoods of vulnerable groups, in particular female-headed households fostering orphans in Zambia. It also reviews practices implemented to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS at the farm household level.