Drought is ravaging Zambia, Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda told Anadolu Agency on Friday, and Zambia has suffered significant economic losses due to the environmental effects of climate change.
'Already, the country's sensitive sectors, including agriculture and food security, wildlife, forestry and water, energy and infrastructure have been adversely affected by climate change,' Lubinda said.
Due to its high vulnerability and low capacity to adapt, the effects of climate change threaten to set back years of development progress and poverty reduction, Lubinda said.
But the Zambian government is facing up to the challenge, according to Lubinda.
'As government, we are always working to provide technical assistance to communities in Zambia for environmental protection, including assistance with natural resources management and community resilience to climate change as well as working to reduce greenhouse gases from deforestation.'
Lubinda explained that some assistance is provided with the help of co-operating partners.
'Our people have been taught how to notice signs of impending drought, and how to prepare for such disasters so that the impact on households is reduced. The assistance is provided through the Zambezi River Basin Initiative, working in conjunction with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with implementation by the Zambia Red Cross,' Lubinda said.
Farmers have been taught methods of improving soil fertility, including conservation farming to maximize the yield, and are taught ways to manage vegetable crops in order to prevent diseases and pests, he added.
Moses Kalenga, 45, a small scale farmer told Anadolu Agency on Friday that the assistance had helped him to plan for impending drought.
'When I noticed signs of drought at the onset of this rainy season, I decided to start vegetable gardening near the river because I could easily water my vegetables there,' Kalenga said.
'It was easy for me to start gardening because the assistance program provided seed packs and training,' Kalenga said.
But Lubinda pointed out that more than just assistance is necessary if the country is to combat climate change.
'During this period of high economic expansion, Zambia recognizes the need to embark on a path of green growth, rather than locking-in harmful and unsustainable high carbon alternatives,' Lubinda said.
By Francis Maingaila
Anadolu Agency
enerji@aa.com.tr