Smallholder farmers in Katete, Zambia showcased practical agricultural resilience techniques at the Water and Soil Accelerator (WASA) Project event on 15 April 2026.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Under the theme “Soil, Water and Resilience: Climate-Smart Farming for Thriving Communities”, farmers, community leaders, researchers and policymakers gathered to demonstrate practical solutions helping farmers adapt to climate change.
The field day was hosted by Solidaridad and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) as part of the Water and Soil Accelerator (WASA) project, a multi-partner initiative working to strengthen climate resilience for 75 000 smallholder farmers across Eastern, Central, and Southern Zambia.
Practical Demonstrations Drive Learning
During the event, farmers demonstrated regenerative agricultural practices including biochar production, which improves soil fertility, increases water retention and supports long-term soil health. Participants also visited a community water reservoir with a capacity of two million litres, providing reliable water access for irrigation and climate-resilient farming.
The project is scaling digital advisory services that allow farmers to access localised weather forecasts, early warning alerts and farming recommendations directly on their mobile phones.
Addressing Real Challenges
“Across Zambia, farmers are facing unpredictable rainfall and declining soil fertility. Through the Water and Soil Accelerator (WASA) project, we are supporting communities with practical solutions that restore soils, improve water access and provide farmers with the information they need to make better decisions in a changing climate,” said Pamidzai Bota, Regional Programme Manager at Solidaridad.
Dr Ojong Enokenwa Baa, Researcher (Gender, Social Inclusion and Youth) at IWMI, emphasised the importance of integrating water management with climate-smart agriculture for building resilient farming systems.
“Water is central to resilient agriculture. By combining improved soil management with sustainable water solutions and digital climate information, we are helping farmers manage risks and protect their livelihoods,” said Dr Baa.
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Digital Solutions Making a Difference
Since its launch, the WASA project has supported farmers with climate-smart practices, including biochar production training, improved seed access and digital advisory services providing localised weather forecasts and early warning alerts.
“The early warning messages we receive through the digital platforms have made a big difference in how we plan our farming activities,” said Adamson Zulu, a local smallholder farmer from Katete District. “Before, we relied on guesswork, but now we can prepare for dry spells and make informed decisions on planting and input use. This has reduced our risks and improved our confidence as farmers.”
Knowledge Exchange Platform
The field day provided a platform for farmers to exchange knowledge and share experiences on how climate-smart practices are improving productivity and strengthening household resilience.
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