Group urges more collaborative efforts to address challenges of drought

The Sustain Africa Initiative has called for the integration of scientific insights into agriculture to better manage and mitigate future drought impacts across Africa.

Sheila Keino, Regional Manager for East and Southern Africa at the Sustain Africa Initiative, highlighted that Zambia’s current drought situation underscored the need for collaborative efforts among governments and stakeholders to avert further challenges.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor on Wednesday in Lusaka, Keino emphasized the importance of government involvement in providing advisory roles.

She suggested that meteorological departments could offer crucial weather forecasts to guide farmers on appropriate planting strategies based on projected weather patterns.

“Governments can utilize meteorological departments to provide forecasts, ensuring farmers receive appropriate guidance,” Keino said.

“The forecasts should help us decide what to plant in alignment with anticipated weather conditions.”

Keino also stressed the valuable contributions of agricultural scientists to food production and advocated for increased funding in research and development.

She underscored that more attention and support for scientific expertise are vital for effective agricultural practices and drought management.

“Research and development need more funding to properly guide Africa in cultivating and managing its agricultural resources,” Keino added.

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