Lusaka, Zambia – Lusaka District Commissioner, Rosa Zulu, has urged farmers to take advantage of various farming initiatives established by the Ministry of Agriculture and its private partners to mitigate the effects of climate change on agricultural production. Speaking during the Lusaka District Agriculture Field Day, Ms. Zulu emphasized the importance of adopting smart agricultural practices to enhance food security across the country.
In an interview with ZANIS, Ms. Zulu highlighted the need for farmers to embrace agricultural diversification, which includes not only traditional crop production but also ventures such as fish farming. “Farmers should take full advantage of these inclusive packages and demand various services that will support and improve their agricultural activities, enabling them to overcome the impacts of climate change,” she stated.
Ms. Zulu further explained that climate change presents significant challenges to agriculture, particularly in terms of inconsistent weather patterns. She encouraged farmers to diversify their activities to ensure resilience against these unpredictable changes and to enhance sustainable food production.
Additionally, Esabell Sakala, a Senior Horticultural Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, called on agricultural officers to actively promote Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) to farmers. CSA emphasizes environmentally sustainable practices that can increase agricultural productivity while reducing vulnerability to climate change. Sakala also encouraged farmers to focus on year-round production to ensure continuous food availability.
In a related initiative, Kalingalinga Zone 3 Lead Farmer Joyce Ngulube urged the public to consider backyard gardening as a means of supplementing household food security. “By using empty sacks to grow vegetables, families can cultivate nutritious food and reduce their reliance on external sources,” said Ngulube. This simple yet effective method has the potential to improve the livelihoods of many urban households.
The Lusaka District Agriculture Field Day served as an important platform for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and providing farmers with valuable insights into modern, climate-resilient farming techniques. Through these initiatives, the government and its partners are working to empower farmers with the tools they need to adapt to the evolving challenges of climate change while ensuring food security for Zambia’s growing population.
