Zambia: The Zambia Meteorological Department says Southern Province has been forecasted to receive below-average rains in March 2024. The country is in the middle of the annual rain season, which runs from mid-November to April.
The Meteorological Department of the country has warned some districts to brace for dry weather in the future. Meanwhile, the officials have also revealed that the situation of less rainfall may not have any negative effect on the farming production.
This is because the volume of rain that the department expects is likely to be enough for the activities. Department Director, Edson Nkonde, announced that the rains will less likely have impactful effect on farming owing to the volume expected.
He has asked the population involved in the agriculture sector to remain vigilant of the changing weather patterns. Weather is one of the most important aspects of predicting the success or failure of the crop in a particular season.
The Nkonde has appealed to farmers in the Province to keenly track weather updates to keep track of the various changes.
The farmers and other agriculture stakeholders can also engage with Extension Officers on ways of altering their farming methods in relation to current times.
The Zambian Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging the people of the country to engage in modernized agriculture practices. The below average rains in many parts of the country have led to lack of food in many communities.
The drought situation has led many traditional leaders of the country to express their concern on the situation. Accordingly, Chief Mwanachingwala’s Representative, Gristen Choomba, says the Chiefdom has continued experiencing a dry spell.
Choomba tells the media about the struggle, that other areas received some rainfall in the past twenty-four hours, coupled with a lot of wind, which led to maize stalks falling.
He attributed the fallen maize to termites which have invaded most maize fields due to the dry spell.