Food and Agriculture Organisation Deputy Regional Representative for Africa, Ayman Omer has commenced Zambia’s commitment towards sustaining the agriculture sector and food security through various initiatives with a commitment to supporting the Southern African country in resolving climate change induced headwinds and remain food secure.

Mr. Omar, arrived in Zambia, Sunday to among other commitments, strengthen Zambia’s agriculture sector through partnerships in support of the country’s agriculture development and food system transformation.

He earlier met UN Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali before meeting officials at the agriculture and food and fisheries ministries and discussed various issues of collaboration in support of the Zambia agricultural development and food systems transformation.

During the meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Omer stressed Zambia’s strategic importance in the region, recognizing its strong role in promoting agriculture and food security.

He commended the Zambian for its active participation and valuable contributions at the recent FAO Regional Conference for Afrixa (ARC34) held in Mauritania, where the country shared key experiences in advancing agricultural development.

Ms. recognised FAO’s significant contributions across the country. These include support to the Government of Zambia in shaping the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework by being the only UN agency co-chairing two pillars – the Planet and Prosperity Pillars, out of the four pillars, promoting climate-resilient production methods for smallholder farmers, and advancing technological and digital innovation in agriculture.

FAO’s work also continues to strengthen key value chains—boosting production of maize seed, soybean and other priority crops, making Zambia the major exporter of seeds in the region —while expanding support to aquaculture, fisheries and livestock, FAO said in a statement posted on its website.

FAO plays an important role in social protection and nutrition, working closely with partners such as UNICEF and WFP to scale up nutrition initiatives.

The UN Resident Coordinator emphasised the importance of sustaining this support, particularly as Zambia prepares for the potential impacts of an El Niño event. She underscored that FAO’s role will remain critical in the years ahead.

Mr. Omer, later met officials at the two ministries of agriculture, food and fisheries where he reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborate with Zambia in various agriculture related aspects.

During the meeting with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MFL) Permanent Secretary, Dr. Max Choombe, in Lusaka Mr. Omar reaffirmed FAO’s sustained partnerships with Zambia.

The strategic dialogues underscore an ongoing joint effort to advance sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and livestock development while mitigating climate and drought-related challenges.

Zambia’s agricultural investment plan—valued at $952.8 million—focuses on expanding regional trade, boosting aquaculture, and driving sustainable agribusiness investments to benefit nearly 2 million smallholder farmers is one of the strategic areas of collaboration.

FAO and EU-supported initiatives which have spotlighted the launch of digital e-extension platforms and innovative climate-smart technologies for Zambian farmers, strategic support from the FAO Fishery and Aquaculture Division is working to upgrade food safety regulatory frameworks and establish standardized fish-feed operations in Zambia form part of the areas of collaboration.

There are Ongoing talks focus on animal disease situations, national vaccination protocols, and mitigating the agricultural impacts of recent El Niño-induced droughts, the ministry says in a statement.

Mr. Omar is in the country for various consultative meetings with officials in the two ministries and other stakeholders.

He is expected to be part of the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) symposium at which a new e-extension platform is expected to be launched.

SIFAZ, seeks to help small-scale farmers adopt climate-resilient, eco-friendly farming methods (like crop diversification and conservation agriculture) to boost crop yields without degrading the environment

Mr. Omer is expected in Mazabuka, Choma and Monze where he will engage local farmers, extension officers, and stakeholders on agriculture related work, a tentative from the FAO local office shows.