Zambia, like many other countries in Southern Africa, has been grappling with the daunting challenges posed by drought conditions.

In recent years, the effects of climate change have led to reduced rainfall, resulting in water scarcity.

This crisis has profoundly impacted agricultural production, food security, and the livelihoods of countless families, casting a shadow over the nation’s future.

Yet, amid this adversity, Zambians have discovered a beacon of hope in the innovative practice of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH).

This sustainable method involves the careful collection and storage of precious rainwater, providing a vital resource for communities looking to combat the dire consequences of drought.

This approach has become an essential tool in the country’s efforts to mitigate the effects of drought, offering a sustainable solution to water scarcity.

In response, there has been a remarkable surge in initiatives where individuals and organisations are actively engaging in rainwater harvesting.

By collecting and storing rainwater, Zambians can reduce their reliance on municipal water supplies, lower water bills, and enhance overall water security.

Notably, Zambia has made significant strides in promoting rainwater harvesting through the launch of the National Rain Water Harvesting Strategy (NRWHS).

This initiative is expected to have a measurable impact by boosting agricultural productivity, improving health outcomes, and contributing to broader environmental sustainability efforts across the country.

 

Amid these developments, the Executive Director of the National Association for Small Holder Farmers, Frank Kayula, commended the government for implementing the strategy saying it was a crucial step towards addressing water scarcity challenges and emphasized the significance of the RWH project to farmers.

Mr Kayula said the strategy was important in addressing the pressing challenges of water scarcity and highlighted the vital role that rainwater harvesting projects play in empowering farmers and communities alike.

He emphasised that farmers require guidance on effectively using harvested rainwater for agricultural purposes, not only for drinking but also for knowledge on how to harvest, store, and utilise it efficiently.

He explained that Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) has been an integral part of Zambia’s traditional farming practices for centuries but with the changing climate and growing water scarcity, farmers now require empowerment and support to adapt and improve their RWH systems.

In response to this, the government, through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation in collaboration with the Ministry of Green Economy and Agriculture, has been leading transformative initiatives to enhance rainwater harvesting and improve water resource management across the country.

These efforts aim to bolster water security, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable socio-economic development.

The Ministry of Agriculture has also been instrumental in promoting irrigated agriculture as a strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri revealed that, with the assistance of the World Bank, the Ministry successfully commissioned eight dams last year, with plans to complete an additional two by the end of this year.

Mr. Phiri said among the eight commissioned dams, the Mumbushi Dam in Chisamba, the Musakashi Irrigation Scheme in Mufulira, and the Lusutu Irrigation Scheme in Chirundu are currently operational and are actively utilised by numerous farmers for irrigation purposes.

“The Ministry aims to increase irrigable land in Zambia, currently standing at 300,000 hectares to achieve ambitious targets of 10 million tonnes of maize, 1 million tonnes of soya beans and 1 million tonnes of wheat,” Mr Phiri said.

He pointed out that to achieve the targets, the Ministry has been implementing several initiatives, including the Irrigation Development Support Program, a World Bank-sponsored project that has already constructed eight dams.

He emphasised that the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts align with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of year-round planting, which is made possible through effective irrigation management, water capture, and storage.

Additionally, Mr Phiri explained that the Spin Irrigation Development Support Program is managed by agricultural irrigation engineers and focuses on dam construction and water capture, further demonstrating the Ministry’s commitment to water harvesting and agricultural development.

Department of Agriculture Director Chizumba Shepande emphasized that these initiatives demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing irrigation infrastructure and promoting agricultural development.

Mr Shepande revealed that the Ministry has been evaluating around 2,000 dams across the country to determine which ones are suitable for irrigation.

“So far 700 dams have been assessed with 163 found to be suitable for irrigation,” Mr Shepande said.

He pointed out that the dams are part of the Presidential Irrigation Program, which aims to produce 3 million tons of maize under irrigation.

“This program is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by rural households that depend on rain fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to climate shocks such as floods and droughts,” Mr Shepande said.

He said that Zambia was proactively addressing climate change and ensuring food security by promoting irrigated agriculture.

He noted that this initiative is a positive step towards building a more resilient agricultural sector.

Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary, Romas Kamanga, announced that the Ministry has developed a comprehensive three-year roadmap aimed at designing, constructing, and rehabilitating water harvesting infrastructure.

He said this plan was intended to address Zambia’s limited capacity for rainwater harvesting, enhance resilience against drought, improve access to water, and promote investment in water resource management.

Mr Kamanga explained that the ambitious plan aims to construct between 40 to 60 structures such as dams and groundwater recharges within the next three years, paving way for a more sustainable water management system and thereby reducing reliance on groundwater and other limited or unsustainable sources.

“Although the process is still in its infancy, the Ministry has already developed a comprehensive three-year strategy to kick start the initiative with the key objective to build capacity among local contractors and develop water harvesting structures,” Mr Kamanga stated.

Mr Kamanga stated that out of the 770 dams planned for construction, over 300 have been maintained, while 144 require rehabilitation.

He also noted progress in constructing new dams, mentioning that 16 out of 28 announced last year were already underway.

He said five of the 16 dams are being constructed by the Zambia National Service (ZNS), and they are nearing completion.

He noted that the remaining 12 dams were being built by private contractors and are at various stages of completion.

“The main goal is to capture as much rainwater as possible to alleviate drought issues to ensure water availability for wildlife, livestock, domestic use and protect groundwater recharge areas,” Mr Kamanga said.

Mr Kamanga said that the implementation of Zambia’s rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) is projected to cost a total of K385,250,000 over the first three years.

He said the initiative is set to commence at the start of the rainy season, marking an important step in addressing the country’s water challenges.

Mr Kamanga said these efforts are part of the Food Security Drought Response Plan, which was developed in response to a national disaster declaration.

He indicated that there were ongoing activities which include assessments of water points alongside rehabilitation of dams in drought-affected areas, and that the government was making significant progress towards the construction and maintenance across the country.

Mr Kamanga said the biggest challenge in managing groundwater resources lies in protecting recharge areas which are frequently compromised by human activities such as deforestation, land degradation and pollution.

He, however, said that the importance of groundwater was highlighted during last year’s devastating drought, but despite the parched conditions, groundwater proved to be a lifeline providing a vital source of water for livestock and domestic use.

Despite the progress made, continued support and investment in rainwater harvesting initiatives are crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts by investing in infrastructure, capacity building, and community engagement.

Zambia’s commitment to rainwater harvesting has shown its potential to improve water security, enhance food production, and build resilience against climate change.

This experience can offer valuable lessons for other countries looking to adopt similar initiatives.

The efforts in promoting rainwater harvesting are a step in the right direction towards achieving water security and sustainable development, with continued support and investment, Zambia can further scale up its rainwater harvesting initiatives and serve as a model for other countries facing similar water challenges