Govt Moves to Improve Food Security in Drought-Hit Sinazongwe

The Zambian government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving food security in drought-affected regions, particularly in Sinazongwe District, which suffered erratic rainfall during the 2024/2025 farming season.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary for Administration, Yvonne Mpundu, stated that the government has implemented several measures to mitigate the effects of poor rainfall and ensure food accessibility for affected communities. She made these remarks during a courtesy call on Sinazongwe District Commissioner, Nchimunya Siakole.

Ms. Mpundu emphasized that the government remains dedicated to supporting farmers in drought-prone regions through strengthened early warning systems, climate-smart agricultural initiatives, and expanded food relief programs.

“In light of the erratic rains experienced in this region, the government is working tirelessly to ensure that food security is not compromised. We are engaging key stakeholders to provide sustainable solutions for farmers, including access to drought-resistant seed varieties and irrigation support,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sinazongwe District Commissioner Nchimunya Siakole highlighted that the district has been among the hardest hit by climate variability, affecting maize and other staple crop yields.

Mr. Siakole commended the government for its swift intervention in addressing maize shortages and reducing long queues at depots, which had previously seen up to 5,000 people waiting for supplies from Lusaka.

“Thank you very much for the effort you made just after you left. We used to have a lot of people at two shifts, with between 3,000 to 5,000 people just waiting for an order to be released from Lusaka. But since then, whenever we make a request for maize, the order is processed on time,” he said.

To further ease food distribution challenges, Mr. Siakole revealed that the district had established satellite depots in various locations to enable farmers in remote areas to access supplies without difficulty.

“We thought it wise to reduce these queues by opening satellite depots in various places, even in areas that are about 70 kilometers away from here. This was done before the rains started because some streams become impassable once the rainy season begins. This initiative has helped significantly, and people are happy with the government,” he explained.

Additionally, he praised the timely distribution of farming inputs, noting that unlike in previous years, farmers now receive fertilizer as early as September or October, allowing them to adequately prepare for the planting season.

He also revealed that some farmers had opted to plant alternative crops such as sorghum and millet, which were provided under the Ministry of Agriculture’s input program.

“We can say, as of now, things are at least better. And I know we will continue supporting our people. Like the President said, he does not want anyone to die of hunger. I can assure you that here in Sinazongwe, no one has died of hunger,” Mr. Siakole assured.