The Zambia Meteorological Department (MET) has issued tailored advice to farmers across the country to help mitigate the impact of shifting weather patterns and ensure agricultural productivity.
Regional Recommendations for Farmers
MET’s weekly weather bulletin, covering December 3-9, 2024, highlights significant regional differences in rainfall probabilities and suggests strategies to adapt to these conditions.
- Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, and Northern North-Western Provinces:
These areas have an 80% chance of receiving rainfall exceeding 25mm during the forecast period. Farmers are encouraged to continue planting and stay vigilant for pests like armyworms. Weather conditions in these provinces are expected to include:- Mornings: Cloudy with light winds and occasional rain (temperatures 13-18°C).
- Afternoons: Cloudy with isolated thundershowers (temperatures 24-30°C).
- Nights: Partly cloudy with mild rain and occasional thunder.
- Copperbelt, Southern, Lusaka, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern North-Western Provinces:
With less than a 20% chance of rainfall exceeding 25mm, these areas are likely to experience:- Mornings: Mainly sunny with occasional winds (temperatures 15-22°C).
- Afternoons: Partly cloudy with isolated thundershowers (temperatures 29-36°C).
- Nights: Few clouds, slightly windy, with isolated light showers.
MET advises farmers in these regions to focus on planting drought-tolerant crops to maximize yields under drier conditions.
Climate Challenges and Resilience Strategies
The advisory follows MET’s earlier seasonal forecast, which projected normal to above-normal rainfall in some areas. However, shifting weather patterns have prompted adjustments, underscoring the need for resilience in agriculture.
“Drought-tolerant crops and pest management are critical for addressing these climatic challenges,” MET emphasized.
Farmer Feedback and Concerns
While some farmers expressed appreciation for MET’s timely updates, others voiced concerns over inconsistent forecasts and the lack of alignment with agricultural planning.
Mulenga Chikwamo commented, “The Ministry of Agriculture must prioritize resource allocation for regions with better rainfall prospects to ensure food security.”
Others, like Mutale Chilufya, criticized the disconnect between MET’s predictions and on-the-ground realities.
Call to Action for Agricultural Stakeholders
MET’s advice underscores the importance of collaboration between meteorological services, the Ministry of Agriculture, and farmers to address climate impacts effectively. By adopting adaptive strategies like planting drought-tolerant crops and monitoring for pests, Zambian farmers can build resilience against unpredictable weather patterns.
The evolving weather conditions highlight the urgency for sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard livelihoods and national food security.
