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President Hakainde Hichilema has claimed that 645,000 trees had been planted on 538 hectares of land, a development meant to boost Zambia’s efforts to combat the effects of climate change.
Hichilema stated that this was part of government’s efforts to plant two million trees by 2028, which he said had gained momentum.
The President declared the current drought situation a disaster and emergency this month.
As part of the responses to combat the effects of climate change, Hichilema noted the need to double efforts to plant more trees to save the earth.
He said this in his speech on the Progress made in the application of the national values and principles delivered to the third session of the thirteenth national assembly on Friday.
Hichilema talked about government’s commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders, including political parties, in its quest to combat the effects of climate change.
Read more: Oxfam says over 6 million people face starvation as Zambia battles drought
“The current drought is one such clear example which we must fight together and win, through irrigation farming and other measures necessary to ensure food security for all our people.
“Our efforts to plant two million trees by 2028 have gained momentum. Thus far, 645,000 trees have been planted on 538 hectares of land. With the adverse climatic conditions being faced, we call on our citizens to desist from the habit of burning bushes on which our livestock and wildlife depend,” he said.
The President called on members of parliament, traditional leaders, churches and other stakeholders to join government in sensitising communities on this vice.
He commended the private sector for supplementing government efforts by already putting in place similar initiatives aimed at combatting the effects of climate change.
Hichilema also stated that carbon trading was cardinal in addressing the effects of climate change as it promoted conservation of forests and forest resources across the globe.
Forests and trees, he said, were vital in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
He said government would work with all stakeholders in sensitizing citizens on the issue of carbon markets.
“Good agricultural practices play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development. To this effect, government, in collaboration with our development partners, has been promoting climate smart agriculture.
“We are pleased that so far, 147,412 small-scale farmers, countrywide, are using climate smart agriculture technologies. We need to accelerate the adoption of these technologies to mitigate the impact of climate change,” Hichilema said.
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