Government is in the process of undertaking a crop monitoring exercise in the country following the dry spell that has affected most maize fields.
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit National Coordinator, Gabriel Pollen, says this will enable government assess the extent of damage the dry spell has caused on the crops.
Dr Pollen was speaking during an online Environmental Forum Platform dubbed “Solutions to droughts”.
He said most of the fields that have been badly hit are the non-irrigated fields adding that only the Northern Part of Zambia has been receiving rains and is likely to record a good harvest.
Dr Pollen said currently, government was evaluating the availability of foods in addition to the carry- over of the last season to ascertain if it was adequate to feed the nation.
And a small scale farmer who was also on the panel, Sebastian Scott says this is the 5th week of no rain and most plants are stressed due to the Hot weather.
Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa says government is already having discussions with Cooperating Partners on interventions to the imminent drought that has affected several parts of the country.
Mr. Nkulukusa said this during a panel discussion at the second Zambia Economic Growth Forum in Lusaka.
He said the country is likely to have challenges with food security and electricity as a result of the dry spell.
Mr. Nkulukusa said Government is waiting for assessment results on the scale of the dry spell and that if there will be need for intervention, Government will realign the budget to ensure food security.
