Zambia to prioritize construction of water points to check environmental challenges

Zambia will this year prioritise the construction of watering points across the country especially in areas most affected by droughts to address the effect of poor rainfall.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday.

Haimbe indicated that Zambia continued to experience increased flooding, prolonged dry spells, extreme temperatures, rainy and wind storms, epidemics and pest infestation.

He gave these remarks during the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting hosted by Angola Minister of External Relations,Téte António in Luanda, Angola on Sunday.

Haimbe stated that the disasters had led to destruction of property, environment and infrastructure, loss of lives, which had affected the livelihoods of many people in the country.

He also highlighted the reduced weight of the animals, increased diseases, inadequate water for the livestock and increased cost of composite feed.

“This will result into increased cost of production of livestock and subsequently passed on to consumers,” he said.

Haimbe mentioned Zambia’s efforts to promote planting of drought-tolerant and fast-growing legume pastures such as cowpeas and sun hemp, including their conservation in form of hay.

He said Zambia recognized the proposed decision to assess the impacts of the El Nino weather pattern in the region which would facilitate formulation of actionable solutions to address the growing food and nutrition insecurity of households.

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