DROUGHT TOLERANT CROPS

By Penjani Nzima

CLIMATE change is real and it’s devastating effects is affecting a lot of sectors agriculture inclusive not only here in Zambia but also across the globe.

A lot of stakeholders in the agriculture sector are teaching and encouraging the small-scale farmers to switch to the use of drought tolerant seeds in view of climate change. championing the use of drought tolerant seeds by the small-scale farmers.

One of the stakeholders that is championing this cause is PELUM Zambia that has trained a number of small-scale farmers in the importance of mulching of their fields as well as the use of drought tolerant seeds such as millet and sorghum.

“You know people don’t have access to other crops like sorghum and millet that would actually be an alternative to maize and would do well under the climate conditions that we have. So, we’ve been doing these interventions at community level.

“We’ve been working with farmers just to give them that advice and also provide some initial seeds for them to start growing. As you know we’ve been growing a lot of maize and these other alternative crop shave been locked in the process,” he noted.

He added that these small – scale farmers have also been taught the importance of using drought tolerant seeds such as millet and sorghum that do well in drought prone areas.

And according to Western is considered to be the top region by millet area in Zambia. As of 2018, millet area in Western was about16,894 ha that accounts for 34.40% of Zambia’s millet area. The top 5 regions(others Central, Northern, Muchinga, Southern and Central account for 96.9% of it. Zambia’s total millet area was estimated at 49, 105 ha in 2018.

International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM)

The High Commission of India in association with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Zambia organized ‘Millets Food Festival’ on 2nd February 2023 at Hotel Neelkanth Sarovar to commemorate the International Year of Millets 2023.

Hon’ble Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Minister of Agriculture, Government of the Republic of Zambia graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Ms. Beatrice Mutali, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia, Ms. Suze-Percy Filippini, FAO Country Representative, diplomats, senior government officials and members of the Indian Community attended the event.

Pursuant to India’s proposal, the United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session in March 2021 declared2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM) to raise awareness and direct policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions.

Hon’ble Reuben Mtolo Phiri, gave an overview of Millets production in Zambia. He highlighted that global agrifood systems face challenges to feed a never-growing global population, therefore resilient cereals like millets provide an affordable and nutritious option. He revealed that about 40,000metric Tonnes of millets were produced in Zambia in 2021-22.

Hon’ble Minister expressed government of Zambia’s support to collaborate and work with the government of India and other like-minded countries to push forward the millets agenda. He also praised India’s millets value chain and expressed need to draw lessons from India.

High Commissioner Mr. Ashok Kumar highlighted Hon’ble Prime Minister India, Mr. Narendra Modi called Millets as “Shree Anna” meaning “Mother of All Grains”. He stressed that a global movement to grow millets would be an important step to meet the food security. High Commissioner remarked that “Millets are good forth consumer, cultivator and climate.” The ‘International Year of Millets ’stands to provide a unique opportunity to increase global production, ensure efficient processing and consumption of millets.

High Commissioner touched upon raising awareness to create ‘Millet Mindfulness’ and highlighted the tremendous role that institutions and individuals could play popularize millets. He added that while institutional mechanisms can encourage the production of millets and make it profitable via policy initiatives, individuals can make health-conscious and planet-friendly choices by making millets a part of their diet. High Commissioner also expressed increased cooperation between India and Zambia not only in Millets but in overall Agriculture and its allied sectors.

Speaking on the occasion H.E. Ms. Beatrice Mutali, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia noted that International Year of Millets 2023 stands to provide a unique opportunity to increase production, ensure efficient processing and consumption, promote better utilization of crop rotations, and encourage better connectivity throughout food systems to promote millets as a key component of the food basket. She expressed commitment of United Nations to support the Government of Zambia in its food security.

Ms. Suze-Percy Filippini, FAO Country Representative in her statement highlighted that IYM 2023 aims to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals).

A short film by Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi Ji (on the launch of International Year of Millets) was screened. Hon’ble Prime Minister congratulated the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization for marking 2023 as the International Year of Millets and expressed appreciation to the UN member nations for their support in marking the International Year of Millets.

Hon’ble Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Minister of Agriculture inaugurated the Millets Food Festival and an exhibition of Millets and its products. Indian, Zambian and International cuisines made of millets were served to the guests. High Commissioner Shri Ashok Kumar urged to remember millets and make collective efforts globally to showcase their rich potential.

Look out for the April edition of the Agri-Coop Newspaper where Millet as one of the drought tolerant crops will be dealt within details. This will cover how can it be grown, when should it be planted and where, why this crop and what is needed to grow it successfully, who should grow this kind of crop and much more information.

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