Launch Ceremony of Emergency Response to El Nino Drought on Smallholder Farmers in Zambia to Enhance Resilience
2025/4/16
On 16th April, 2025, Ambassador Takeuchi attended the launch ceremony for the project, "Emergency Response to El Nino Drought on Smallholder Farmers in Zambia to Enhance Resilience”, funded by the Japanese government’s supplementary budget for FY2023 and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (Budget up to 750,000 USD).
The ceremony was attended by Mr. John Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Norman Chipakupuka, National Coordinator of National Disaster Management Unit (DMMU), Mr. Percy Suze Filippini, Country Representative of FAO and other stakeholders.
This project aims to support food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in areas severely affected by drought. Targeting approximately 1,200 households (about 6,000) of smallholder farmers in Kafue and Chilanga districts of Lusaka Province, the project aims to enhance drought resilience through the installation of solar-powered irrigation system, distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds and vegetables through e-voucher, early climate warning and training of farmers.
During the ceremony, Mr. Mulongoti expressed his gratitude for Japanese government's support, emphasizing that drought is not a short-term crisis but a long-term impact, and that it is necessary to be fully prepared for the future through promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Ambassador Takeuchi stated that this project stands upon the results of JICA's grassroots cooperation with Marumori Town, Miyagi Prefecture, and will contribute not only to responding to the current crisis but also to building long-term and sustainable resilience of the local agricultural community.
The Government of Japan will continue to support Zambia's agricultural sector based on its long-standing friendly relations.
To read the speech by Ambassador, please click here.