The country’s agricultural sector is facing a perfect storm of challenges, including droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall patterns. These extreme weather events are disrupting traditional farming practices, leading to crop failures and food insecurity. Zambia’s agricultural sector is heavily reliant on rainfall, and the changing climate is making it increasingly difficult to predict and manage rainfall.
Their small farm, once a source of sustenance and income, is now struggling to survive. Melody’s story is not unique. Across Zambia, thousands of farmers like her are facing similar challenges.
A consortium of partners led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have joined together as a rapid delivery hub for these challenging times, providing vital support to rural communities and families such as Melody and Collins. Farmers have a strong voice in this unique delivery mode. With support from the people of the U.S. government, the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) is promoting access to drought-tolerant crops, climate-busting and nutritious legume seeds, agricultural advice and early warning systems to combat climate change. AID-I provides critical support to ensure that millions of smallholder farmers in the Haut-Katanga region of DR Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia have access to information and innovations needed for gains in food production that help buffer drought, flood and rising food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.
Planting these varieties can significantly reduce the impact of drought on maize production, contributing to food security. **Please elaborate on the following points:**
* **The impact of climate change on maize production:** Explain how climate extremes like El Niño affect maize production in terms of yield, quality, and overall sustainability. * **Drought-tolerant maize varieties:** Detail the characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of these varieties, including potential risks and limitations.
Women, farmers, and children are especially vulnerable to food insecurity. **Key Points:**
* **Crop diversification:** The practice of growing a variety of crops in the same field or garden. * **Legume crops:** Leguminous plants like beans, lentils, and peas. * **Drought-tolerant maize:** Corn that can thrive in dry conditions. * **Soil health:** The health and fertility of the soil.
This suggests that women are playing a crucial role in the agricultural sector, particularly in the Zambia. The assessment also revealed that women are responsible for 70% of the total agricultural production in Zambia. This highlights the significant contribution of women to the country’s food security and economic development.
* An El Niño forecast for the 2023/2024 season is expected. * An early warning campaign has been launched to raise awareness about the hazards associated with El Niño. * Smallholder farmers are a target audience for the campaign.
Zambia’s agriculture is facing significant challenges due to climate change, with droughts being a major concern. To mitigate these challenges, the country is implementing a multi-pronged approach that includes promoting drought-tolerant maize, improved legumes, and timely advisories. **Detailed Text:**
Zambia’s agricultural sector is under immense pressure from the escalating impacts of climate change.
The article discusses the potential of a new technology called AID-I to revolutionize agricultural practices in Zambia and beyond. AID-I is a system that uses drones to deliver seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs to farmers in remote areas. This technology has the potential to significantly improve food security and climate resilience in these regions.
Original article published in Pan African Visions
