Zambia is taking steps to address the impact of climate change, improve food security and meet its goals under the Paris Agreement according to a statement from the United Nations Development Programme
The UNDP said in a statement that Zambia recently received US$32mn from the Green Climate Fund for a seven-year, US$137mn project to help about one million farmers mitigate the impact of climate change.
“UNDP is dedicated to working with the Government and people of Zambia to support innovative ideas that reduce carbon emissions and better prepare communities for the impact of climate change,” Mandisa Mashologu, UNDP Zambia country director said.
The country is also looking use better climate information in local decision making to reduce the impact of adverse weather on crops and boost production.
“Many years ago, we predicted the weather and knew when to plant. But these days, the weather is unpredictable. Now the dry season can bring continuous rain while the hot season is too wet. The use of weather and climate information assisted me to plant in good time. I have increased maize production from less than a tonne per hectare to five tonnes per hectare,” said Roida Zulu, who lives in Mambwe district in Zambia’s Eastern Province.
Local communities are also rethinking land use to address the impact of climate change in a country which sees frequent drought.
“I am setting aside 12,000 hectares for community forest management and support for the regeneration of indigenous forest in my area. I will also encourage people to start raising trees and plant them in degraded forests,” said Chief Chitambo of the Serenje district in Central Zambia.
