By Jeff Kapembwa
Zambia is devising fool-proof strategies in various sectors aimed at building resilience against climate change by 2030, agriculture minister Reuben Mtolo says.
Zambia is one of the African states embroiled in a climate-related crisis that has downplayed its potential to maximise productivity in various sectors, chiefly agriculture in which food production and energy provisions were dwarfed by half in 2023/24 season.
This occurred after the El Nino induced drought enveloped the country, leaving over 9 million people without food and 3 million children malnourished.
Minister Mtolo said during a recent Comesa agriculture ministers meeting in Lusaka that various strategies have been mooted intended to promote among others, agro-ecology as climate adaptation is no longer an option but essential for safeguarding development gains and building resilience.
“As a country, we are making strides to seize the available opportunities aimed at building resilient economies.”
He states that there are various adequate existing policies and legal framework to guide the country’s response to climate change adaptation.
These include the National Policy on Climate Change in 2016 intended to provide a framework for coordinating the implementation of climate change projects, programmes and related actions to attain the country’s vision 2030.
The National Adaptation Plan is underway and aimed at increasing the country’s resilience to the negative impacts of climate change.
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are being implemented arguably to assist reduce GreenHouse Gases (GHGs) and help adapt to climate change impacts.
The action is intended to help limit global temperature rise and required under the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement intended to enable international cooperation to tackle climate change and unlock financial support for developing countries, Zambia included.
The National Green Growth Strategy (NGGS), launched in 2024 is underway and is intended to help transform the country into a low carbon, resource-efficient and climate resilient economy in the next five years.
The Green Economy and Climate Change Act, 2024 is a law intended to provide for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and mitigation, says Minister Mtolo. The Government has adopted and is implementing strategies that promote agro-ecology and climate smart agricultural practices.
This, it is hoped, will help to strengthen resilience, reduce emissions and enhance food security.
To mitigate climate induced disasters and promote sustainable agriculture, the government has put in place the National Crop Diversification Strategy for the period 2014-2028.
It is envisaged to strengthen agricultural production of various crop varieties for enhanced diversity in crop and nutritional benefits as well as resilience to climate shocks.
The Comprehensive Agricultural Transformation Support Programme (CATSP) has been put in place and guides public and private sector investments in agriculture, focusing on value chains, infrastructure, and productivity.
The National Irrigation Policy and Development Plan (NIPDP) seeks to guide investments in irrigation infrastructure and technology.
This is to enhance water-use efficiency and mitigate climate variability impacts caused by variations in temperature and alters precipitation patterns and have far reaching consequences on crop and livestock production, a call for action.
“It is very important that we all take the issues of climate change adaptation very seriously as adaptation alone presents billions of dollars in investment opportunities for Africa with transformative potential across multiple sectors including agriculture.” Minister Mtolo told delegates