NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER PLATFORM MEETING:  EL-NINO AND ITS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS OF CHIPATA, SIOMA AND SESHEKE DISTRICTS OF ZAMBIA

On November 12th, 2024, the Markets and Seeds Access Project (MASAP) convened a National Stakeholder Platform (NSP) meeting at the Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia. The gathering brought together public and private sector stakeholders from across MASAP’s target districts in Zambia. The central focus of the meeting was to address the adverse impact of El Niño on smallholder farmers, particularly in the pilot districts of Chipata, Sioma, and Sesheke districts.

Opening Remarks

The meeting was officially opened by MASAP’s Project Manager, Rutger Persson, who welcomed all participants and urged them to engage actively in discussions aimed at maximizing the project’s impact on smallholder farmers. The meeting program was coordinated by Angela M. Kateka-Chisela, the Deputy Project Coordinator at NIRAS International Consulting, with support from key facilitators, including Enock Mashikini, the Private Sector Engagement Advisor, and Brenda Sianangama, the Community Engagement Advisor.

Farmers’ Perspectives on the El Niño Crisis

Farmers from the affected districts shared their experiences from the 2023/24 farming season, shedding light on the devastating effects of the drought caused by El Niño.

Sioma District

Mr. Lutangu Willies, a farmer from Sioma and member of a cooperative under Acreplus (one of MASAP’s implementing partners), shared his cooperative’s struggles with the drought. Despite receiving training and seed loans for groundnut production, the cooperative faced extreme challenges, including drought and human-wildlife conflicts, which severely impacted productivity. While they only managed to repay a fraction of the seed loan, Mr. Willies expressed gratitude for MASAP’s support in providing seeds and a guaranteed market for their produce.

Sesheke District

In Sesheke, Mr. Mwananyambe Mwananyambe, a farmer and cooperative member under Vines Agro (another MASAP Implementation Partner), explained how severe drought led to crop failure. Instead of harvesting, the cooperative’s groundnuts were converted into fodder, which was sold for livestock feed. Mr. Mwananyambe called for more agricultural insurance options and the promotion of drought-resistant crops to better equip farmers for future climate shocks.

Technical Insights on El Niño’s Impact

Mr. Rodwell Mutanga, the Provincial Agricultural Coordinator for Western Province, noted that many MASAP-supported crops in the region failed due to insufficient rainfall. He advocated for crop diversification and early planting to mitigate the risks posed by climate change. Similarly, Mr. Kelvin Chinama, the Provincial Agricultural Coordinator for Eastern Province, reported a 60% decline in crop production, urging MASAP and other stakeholders to continue supporting recovery efforts through irrigation systems and sustainable agricultural practices.

MASAP’s Drought Response and Mitigation Plan

In response to the drought’s devastating effects, MASAP has developed a comprehensive Drought Response and Mitigation Plan. The plan includes both short-term and long-term strategies aimed at rebuilding farmer resilience and ensuring food security. Some key initiatives include:

    1. Seed Replacement and Revolving Fund: MASAP is replacing seeds lost to drought, ensuring that farmers are not left in debt. This seed replacement will help farmers restart their production in future seasons.

    1. Irrigation Support: To combat irregular rainfall, MASAP is supporting the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems for Early Generation Seed (EGS) production, ensuring a steady seed supply for future seasons.

    1. Promotion of Traditional Grains: In drought-prone areas, MASAP is raising awareness about the benefits of diversifying crops, particularly traditional grains and legumes, to reduce dependency on maize.

    1. Pilot Agro-Insurance Program: MASAP is exploring the potential of weather-based insurance to protect farmers against future climate-related financial risks.

    1. Post-Harvest Analysis: A detailed post-harvest analysis has been conducted to identify successful farming practices and lessons learned, helping shape future interventions.

Moving Forward

MASAP Project Manager, Rutger Persson, concluded the meeting by acknowledging the hard work of the MASAP team and the valuable contributions of all stakeholders. While challenges remain, the project has laid a strong foundation for addressing climate-related challenges in the years ahead.

A Call to Action

The El Niño crisis has underscored the urgent need for collective action to support smallholder farmers in Zambia. MASAP’s response is a step in the right direction, but the fight is far from over. We urge all stakeholders, including government, private sector, and community organizations, to continue working together to strengthen farmer resilience, improve access to climate-smart technologies, and ensure long-term food security.

 

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