Zambia, Botswana Unite for Climate at Agri Show
President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia and President Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana have officially opened the 2025 Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka with a powerful call for climate resilience, sustainable innovation, and strengthened regional partnerships.
Held under the theme “Adapting to Climate Change,” the 97th edition of the show comes in the wake of one of Zambia’s most challenging droughts in history.
President Hichilema emphasized that the 2024 drought reshaped Zambia’s national priorities and served as a turning point for policy and practice across agriculture and energy.
“In the midst of adversity, our nation found clarity,” President Hichilema said. “Resilience, solidarity, and innovation have turned the drought into a springboard for transformation.”
The President urged a bold shift from maize-dependent, rain-fed farming to irrigation-driven, year-round agriculture powered by Zambia’s abundant water resources. He warned of the risks associated with over-reliance on hydropower and praised the country’s diversification into solar and clean coal energy as critical to its climate resilience strategy.
Commending Zambian farmers, President Hichilema celebrated a bumper harvest of 4 million tonnes of maize despite the climatic setbacks, calling it “a miracle wrought through grit, sacrifice, and an unbreakable spirit.”
He credited the improved Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the e-voucher system for enabling early input distribution, with 99% of farmers receiving inputs before the rainy season. Over 210,000 ineligible beneficiaries were removed from the FISP list, while 208,000 genuine farmers were newly registered.
“The future of our nation depends not on seasonal luck, but on deliberate policy, scientific ingenuity, and the indomitable spirit of the Zambian farmer,” he added.
The Show’s Guest of Honour, President Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana, delivered a compelling keynote, urging regional solidarity in addressing the cross-border challenges of climate change.
“Climate change knows no borders. Its impacts are regional, and so must be our response,” President Boko stated.
He called for harmonization of seed systems, pest control protocols, and the widespread adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. President Boko stressed that Zambia and Botswana must prioritize conservation farming and invest in land restoration to enhance resilience and food security.
He further noted that the Zambia-Botswana Bi-National Commission should be a central platform for strengthening joint efforts in climate adaptation, food security, and sustainable development.
President Boko also praised Zambia’s role as a major seed exporter and encouraged both nations to build export-oriented agricultural economies. He placed special emphasis on youth empowerment, calling for increased access to land and productive resources to attract young people into agriculture.
“The urgency to act cannot be overstated. Agriculture is not just about food, it’s about livelihoods, dignity, and inclusive economic growth,” he emphasized.
The 2025 Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show continues throughout the week, showcasing innovations in farming, energy, technology, and commerce, all centered around building resilience in a changing climate.
