Caritas Calls for “swift” Measures to Protect Zambians from Drought Devastation

They say the Ministry of Agriculture's response to the drought has been “inadequate in guiding farmers on necessary response and mitigation measures” and call upon the government to “share a comprehensive plan on how the current drought situation will be addressed.”

In October 2023, Zambia’s Meteorological Department issued a warning about the impending El-Nino, indicating an adverse effect on the 2023/2024 rainy season.

According to Caritas Zambia officials, the warning came “too late” as farmers had already invested in inputs. 

“The consequence of the inadequate information is evident, with over 200,000 hectares of crops in Central Province alone drying up,” the Caritas officials say.

They note that farmers are, however, employing traditional seed varieties and agro-ecology practices have shown more tolerance to the harsh conditions.

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In the statement, Caritas Zambia officials call on the government to explore and adopt agroecology as a sustainable methodology to support small-scale farmers in planting and growing crops even during challenging conditions, thereby contributing positively to the country's food security.

They also urge the government to put in place measures that ensure that GMOs do not gain entry into the Zambian market.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.