Zambia Turns to Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture

The state of food and nutrition security has come into constant focus as the agricultural sector continues to confront the reality of climate change. In Zambia, stunting in children under the age of five years now stands at 35% according to the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). Though this indicates a reduction from the 40% recorded in the 2013/2014 ZDHS, poor nutrition still remains a challenge that seriously needs to be addressed.

Among the various strategies that the government is implementing to overcome the problem, nutrition-sensitive agriculture is one strategy that is being undertaken through the Ministries of Agriculture and; Fisheries and Livestock, respectively. By using extensions workers, the government is reaching out to vulnerable communities who also happen to be farming communities and educating them on good nutrition practices staring with their agricultural practices.

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture aims to address the real underlying causes of malnutrition through three avenues namely: food production, income generation and women empowerment.

Government’s nutrition-led objectives in the agricultural sector are being supplemented by the Performance Enhancement Program (PEP) II – a program whose overall objective is to support the Zambian government’s objective to reduce rural poverty and; enhance food and nutrition security.

PEPZ TARGETS 1500 SMALLHODLER GOAT FARMERS By Natasha Mhango

 The formalization of markets remains to be an obstacle to the growth of agribusiness in Zambia. In the goat sub-sector in particular, small holder farmers trade in an environment where middle men who have a loose network link farmers to potential markets.

Goats are more affordable to rear and more resistant to disease than cattle and hence are one preferred livestock for small holder farmers more especially in view of climate change. However, like any other agricultural venture, access to markets and

ACHIEVING ZERO HUNGER IN ZAMBIA

A small scale farmer displays some of her produce during the 2019 World Food Day commemorations held in Mwembeshi

“It’s not just about getting enough to eat, it’s about having the right food to eat.” These words were part of a speech by the UNICEF Zambia Country representative, Noalar Skinner, during the recent World Food Day commemorations that were held in Mwembeshi.

The 2019 theme – Our Actions are Our Future, Healthy Diets for a Zero Hunger World - intended to bring awareness on the continued strides needed towards realizing the Zero Hunger Vision that was launched by the United Nations in 2012.

World Food day is a day of action against hunger. Hunger manifests itself in different ways namely: undernourishment, malnutrition and wasting. The 2018 report by the African Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition reveals that 257 million people in Africa are undernourished. Put differently, 257 million people in Africa are hungry and furthermore,

THE POLITICS OF SEED By Natasha Mhango

Farmer Input Supply Program(FISP) beneficiaries collecting their inputs

It has been said that a country’s agricultural sector is as strong as its seed system. Zambia is one of the largest seed exporters in Africa with its maize seed industry being regarded as the strongest in the SADC region. The country has enjoyed a longstanding reputation of original genetic research and certified seed production.

The private sector plays a major role in this seed production and export. Commercial farmers who are specialized, take the lead role in breeding and improving seed varieties and selling of varieties that are certified by the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI).However, this formal seed sector is designed for commercial agriculture. Small scale farmers who are the majority of farmers and who are not as technologically able, are not fully

CULTURAL FOOD HABITS ARE HINDERING CROP DIVERSIFICATION By Natasha Mhango

Girls in Zambezi district, North Western province, preparing cassava for processing 

Southern Province has been known to be the bread basket of Zambia. The province that fed the country.But during the last farming season, the Province was among the hardest hit by drought and disturbing testimonies of hunger were being reported through various media.

 “All crops on my farm failed – not only maize. So we are buying maize from the government sheds – that is what is helping me feed my family,” said Nathan Mubambasu  - a farmer from Magoye area in Mazubuka.