‘INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE KEY TO INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY’

LET us invest in agriculture because it enables us to produce food throughout the year, with or without good rains, an Agriculture Expert has said.

Actions for Development of Africa Projects Manager Claudey Kapila said there was a need to invest in irrigation not only for agriculture resilience from rains, but also for increasing production and supporting the country to be producing food throughout the year unlike the currently seasonal production.

Speaking to The Scoop, Ms. Kapila said relying on rains only for farming was the reason the country ran out of food towards the months of October and November in a season where productivity was low.

She said the recent dry spell being experienced in Zambia was yet another reminder of the need for critical evaluation of the viability of irrigation agriculture as a sustainable alternative for farmers.

“While we may not have specific data on the most affected parts of the country and regardless of seasonal variations in rainfall precipitation, the economic rationale for embracing irrigation agriculture remains compelling’,” Ms. Kapila said.

She noted that irrigation not only safeguarded against the uncertainties of rainfall, but also augmented production capacity, enabling year-round crop cultivation.

She explained that by transcending the limitations of seasonal agriculture, Zambia could mitigate against food shortages typically experienced in late October and November.

‘’investing in irrigation infrastructure not only ensures agriculture resilience but also bolsters overall food security and economic stability,’’ she said.

She has however urged the Government on the importance of irrigation agriculture as an emerging cornerstone of sustainable development as the country navigated the challenges posed by climate change.

She said it was imperative for the Government, private sector, and development partners to collaborate and provide support to farmers, including access to financing, training and technical assistance to facilitate the adoption of irrigation technologies.

She stated that integrated water management approaches such as efficient irrigation techniques and water conservation practices were essential for long term-sustainability.

Last week, The Zambia Meteorological Department forecasted poor rainfall from the month of February, stating that latest weather updates indicated that most parts of the country will experience isolated rainfall.