By Ushely Joseph
MORE than 380 farmers in Katete District in Eastern province are expected to benefit from Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) following an awareness meeting held for Camp Officers and District staff from the Department of Agriculture, aimed at strengthening the delivery of timely climate information to farmers.
Speaking during a meeting conducted by the Zambia Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Principal Agricultural Officer, James Mwale said digital climate advisory services are an important tool in strengthening climate-smart agriculture. “Access to timely climate information enables farmers to plan better, reduce production risks and make informed farming decisions that support food security and sustainable livelihoods,” Mr Mwale explained.
The meeting was held with support from the Non-Governmental Organization Tomorrow Now. The DCAS programme is expected to be rolled out in 13 districts across Eastern Province. The meeting was DCAS is designed to translate weather and climate data into practical, farmer-friendly advisories, which will be delivered directly to farmers via SMS. The approach ensures that farmers receive timely climate information to guide decision-making, particularly in the face of increasing climate variability and erratic rainfall patterns.
During the meeting, Camp Officers were oriented on their central role in the programme, which includes collecting and submitting farmer information for enrolment onto the DCAS platform. Once registered, farmers will begin receiving climate advisory messages tailored to their local conditions.
Meanwhile, Crops Husbandry Officer, Crispin Chipika, said farmers can no longer rely solely on traditional seasonal patterns, noting that climate variability has made farming increasingly unpredictable. “Climate advisories help farmers reduce losses and improve productivity by guiding decisions on planting and crop management,” he said.
Mphangwe Camp Extension Officer, Peter Bwalya, said the programme will strengthen planning and preparedness at community level. He explained that when farmers receive climate information early, they are able to budget, plan ahead and prepare adequately for the farming season.
Zambia Meteorological Department, Senior Meteorologist, Lillian Mziyiche, explained farmers enrolled under DCAS will receive stage-specific climate advisory messages via SMS, covering the entire crop production cycle from planting through to crop maturity. Ms Mziyiche said the advisories are designed to support farmers at every stage of crop growth, enabling them to respond more effectively to changing weather conditions.
As climate challenges continue to affect agriculture, the Katete awareness meeting reinforced a clear message: when farmers receive the right climate information at the right time directly on their mobile phones they are better positioned to plan, adapt and farm sustainably. –NAIS