By Jeff Kapembwa
The Climate change impasse buffeting Zambia is not insurmountable, we can fight the calamite but the journey requires determination, passion and courage, and with focus, progressively, we can get there, President Hakainde Hichilema has noted.
Zambia has had its fair share of climate change devastation with the 2023/24 farming season cited as an example in which over 1.1 million of the total 2.2 million hectares of land planted with maize withered by El Nino induced drought.
The devastation was extended to infrastructure that was damaged, while water sources were disturbed and left over 9 million of the 20 million population in dire need of food.
Of the victims of the climate impasse, 3 million children countrywide were reported to have suffered malnutrition related deficiencies, prompting President Hichilema to extend a begging bow to donors and other ‘friends of Zambia’ to extend their gesture of goodwill, according to the over US$21 million-disaster plea.
Arguably, the country suffered severe devastations in among other sectors, agriculture, water availability, energy, and food security of majority Zambians, according to the 29 February 2024 National Disaster and Emergency.
President Hichilema in his address to lawmakers, Friday on sustainable development, noted the effects of the drought that has reversed economic gains made by the country driven by climate change.
The President called for resolve by all citizens in seeking lasting and durable solutions to the climate impasse despite various headwinds abound but that with a unity of purpose, Zambia could overcome the challenges.
While the country sought economic prosperity, sustainable development remains imperative and despite the recurring climate change, threatening national food, energy, water and biodiversity security, there is need for all to join hands for lasting solutions.
Climate change has disrupted national development while greatly contributing to increased cost of living but the climate effects should serve as lessons for strategies to seek to adopt alternative solutions and improve the country’s resilience and withstand future shocks.
President Hichilema, notes that despite such and other threats hovering over Zambia, the journey to economic prosperity remains on course, given the progressive record made, forming part of the country’s foundation upon which the citizenry, jointly, must seek to build a better Zambia.
The efforts sought from all patriotic citizens should be part of the foundation stone upon which to rebuild the country and ensure peace, unity and prosperity must be forever anchored.
He reminded Zambians to use the recurring climate-related developments as a foundation for their journey to prosperity, though it requires determination, passion and courage while focus remains the key driver.
“With focus, progressively, we will get there” President Hichilema said to lawmakers in his annual address on morals and values.
All is not lost amid the devastations caused by the El-Nino induced actions on human and the environment, noting that despite Zambia witnessing the worst season in 2023-24 farming period, there is hope to recover as evidenced by the increased rainfall recorded in the past three months that is expected to positively impact the cost of living.
President Hichilema commended the more than 1.1 million farmers that have, despite various challenges faced in recent seasons, have stood by the government and adopted smart agriculture practices to be growing food despite uncertain times overcome by climate change, a gesture of patriotism.
“We urge more of our farmers, especially small-scale farmers, to adopt smart agriculture practices to enhance productivity amid climate change. “
There are other countervailing actions to the drought as evidenced by the Government’s harvesting of water through constructing dams across the country to encourage people to engage in all year round agriculture production through irrigation.

This action is as enshrined in the Rainwater Harvesting Strategy launched last year as the Government devises more climate actions to reduce the impact but should be reciprocated by similar actions by citizens through concerted efforts.
“We will continue to adapt our nation’s capability to respond to adversity, including the effects of climate change. Madam Speaker, we need commitment and positive action from all citizens.”
President Hichilema had on April 29 last year declared drought a national disaster and emergency with a request from well-wishers a staggering US$23 billion to counter climate change effects. At the time, data available showed that there were rainfall deficits (droughts) in 8 out of 10 provinces and affected national crop production.
A total number of 9.8 million people in 84 districts had been affected. An estimated 6.6 million were in dire need of immediate humanitarian lifesaving assistance.