The Zambian government has enrolled 1 million smallholder farmers under its Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) on weather index insurance. Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo said the development is in line with government’s efforts to mitigate the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change. Katambo said so far payouts amounting to…
Ethiopian farmers have suffered severe harvest and livestock losses due to harsh rains and climate extremes. A United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report released in August 2017 states that roughly 8.5 million Ethiopians required food aid in the second half of the year. According to the Thomas Reuters…
The Zambian government has released K115 million to salvage more than 80 000 tons of maize that transporters refuse to ferry because of money owed to them. Concerns about possible damage to the crop are escalating, after the Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) forecast heavy rains for this weekend. “The money…
There is an increased chance of La Niña conditions developing during the remaining spring months and summer, predictions from the US Climate Prediction Centre show. According to the latest El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion issuedView Post by the CPC, predictions show that a La Niña system can form as…
There is an increased chance of La Niña conditions developing during the remaining spring months and summer, predictions from the US Climate Prediction Centre show. According to the latest El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion issued by the CPC, predictions show that a La Niña system can form as early…
Farming with indigenous cattle breeds adapted to extreme conditions, linked to global warming and climate change, can be the salvation of future cattle farming. During an information day at the Armoedsvlakte bull test centre, Mokgadi Seshoka, animal scientist from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Animal Production Institute at Irene, said…
According to the latest climate outlook model, chances are slimming that the El Niño will be revived in the next few months. At the middle of July, the ocean temperatures in the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean, indicated El Niño or La Niña in a neutral phase. Ocean temperatures…
Warmer weather conditions, coupled with the lack of frost this winter, led to an over-supply of tomatoes. If the warm weather persists, potatoes will also become even more cheaper. Lower prices coupled with an oversupply of tomatoes at South Africa’s national fresh product markets will likely affect tomato farmers until…
Panic struck among farmers this week when rain hit large parts of Zambia. The Meteorological Department, however cautioned against harvesting as this would damage the maize crop. “Farmers must not rush to harvest and heap their maize in fields because of the rain we experienced, as this will result in…
More than 3 000 people in Sinazongwe in Southern Province have received relief maize following heavy rain which destroyed their crops. Sinazongwe district commissioner Protacio Mulenga said the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) made maize available at discounted prices to help those affected. “We have put measures in place to ensure…
The seasonal rainfall patterns are weakening over southern Africa after torrential rain caused soil saturation and flooding in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and parts of South Africa. According to the American Climate Prediction Centre (CPC) last week was the first week since the start of the rainy season in December, with…
Better use of technologies could help African farmers counter the negative effects of a changing climate. Using climate and crop growth models, researchers from the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) found that African and Asian small-holder farmers would be able to increase food production by improving fertiliser…
Farmers in Zambia can look forward to improved rainfall by late November and early December, according to the Climate Service Centre of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “This signifies good chances of a generally timely rainfall onset, with good potential for crops reaching maturity if the rain perform well…
The first rains have fallen signalling the start of the rainy season and the Zambian Meteorological Department has cautioned farmers, country-wide, to prepare for above average rainfall. In the north-eastern regions average rainfall patterns are forecast for October, November and December but rain is expected to be above average for…
