Rich in natural resources including fertile land, Zambia has significant potential for economic development. Yet growth has fluctuated over the last 15 years. Agriculture, a key sector for the country, has not fully reached its potential due to low productivity, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, recurrent drought, and limited access to finance and markets. The current lack of rainfall has devastated crops, impacting livelihoods and threatening food security for millions of people. 

"The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) remains committed to working alongside the Government of Zambia and other partners to empower rural populations and create a more robust and resilient agricultural system," said Guoqi Wu, Associate Vice-President, Corporate Services, IFAD. "The drought in Zambia underscores the urgent need to invest in medium and long-term development and resilience building for rural communities," he added. 

Guoqi Wu will visit the country from 10 to 12 April 2024. During the visit he will meet with the President of Zambia, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Hon. Makozo Chikote, Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali and development partners. Their discussions will focus on medium- to long-term strategies that address climate impacts, future IFAD support, new financing instruments, the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and how to further contribute to agriculture transformation in Zambia. 

While in the country, Guoqi Wu will visit Chongwe district to see how climate and environmental impacts such as drought are affecting livestock production, and the mitigation measures taken up by communities as a result of the projects. 

Since 1981, IFAD has invested US$385.7 million in 15 projects across Zambia, positively impacting nearly 5 million rural households. The visit to the country therefore underlines IFAD's unwavering commitment to supporting Zambia's rural communities in overcoming the challenges of climate change and building a more prosperous and food-secure future through long-term agricultural investments. IEA News