By Michael Kaluba
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has predicted that zambia’s food security will deteriorate further next year owing to the current sporadic rainfall especially that the hunger hit western and southern provinces have not yet received much rains this season.
CSPR Programs Coordinator, Chimuka Nchibinda is concerned that the hunger situation will only get worse next year if government does not ensure farmers under the farmer input support program (FISP) are provided with a diversified seed range particularly those that are drought resistant.
Mr. Nchibinda notes that Zambia cannot continue to offer handouts especially that the current exercise in hunger hit areas has shown government’s inadequacy to amicably feed those affected.
he said the rationing of 12.5kg bags of mealie meal to families of 5 is inadequate and a sign that the below average rainfall projected for the current rainy season calls for strategic measures to ensure the country does not plunge into a serious food crisis next year.
the latest global agricultural geo-monitoring initiative special report on the southern African 2019-2020 cropping season shows another drought is envisaged in the region and will worsen the region’s food security position with over 2.4 million Zambians already affected by the hunger situation in the western and southern parts of the country that resulted from flash droughts from the last rainy season.
PHOENIX NEWS – 10.12.2019
Michael Mwila Kaluba 