Google Translate
Adaptation to the effects of drought and climate change in Agro-ecological Zone 1 and 2 in Zambia
-
Project details
-
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
UNDPSummary:
The objective of this project is to develop the adaptive capacity of subsistence farmers and rural communities to withstand climate change in Agro-ecological Regions I and II in Zambia.
The Zambia National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) highlights that the strong dependence of Zambian communities on rain-fed agriculture renders them particularly vulnerable to climate change (including variability) effects such as drought, flooding, extreme temperatures and prolonged dry spells, which precipitate widespread crop failure, negatively impact food and water security and, ultimately, affect the sustainability of rural livelihoods. AER I and II are particularly prone to such climatic hazards. Since the 1980s, agricultural production within both AER I and II has been affected by a later onset and shortening of the rainy season.
Furthermore, drought and flooding episodes across Zambia have become more frequent and of increasing intensity, which is believed to be a manifestation of long-term climate change . The negative impacts of such events have adversely impacted inter alia water quality, agricultural production, food security, water security, wildlife and infrastructure and resulted in the displacement of human populations . Predicted climate change is likely to exacerbate this situation. For this reason, this LDCF project (hereafter referred to as “the project”) has chosen to focus on adapting AER I and II to drought and other predicted climatic changes, including variability.
Project Components:
1. Capacity development to conduct and apply climate risk assessments to planning processes
2. Demonstraton activity: Adaptive practices in water and land management in drought-prone areas piloted
3. Replication of demonstration projects
4. Lessons learned componentExpected Outputs:
1.1 Number of government planners and private sector trained on climate risk management for improved agricultural productivity.
1.2 Effective Early Warning Systems developed to enhance preparedness and reduce climate-related risks
1.3 Economic impact assessment on the adaptation value of climate risk information to protect agricultural incomes from climate change effects.2.1 Techniques for soil and water conservation as well as soil improvement tested for their ability to improve the productivity of small-scale agriculture.
2.2 Crop diversification practices tested for their ability to improve resilience of farmers to drought.
2.3 Alternative livelihoods tested for their ability to diversify incomes away from maize production.
2.4 Community-based water capacity and irrigation systems improved or developed to test their ability to raise agricultural productivity.3.1 Awareness of climate change risks and to the economic value of adaptation responses raised among policy- and decision-makers.
3.2 National policy dialogues conducted to discuss project findings in relation to cost effectiveness of piloted options
3.3 Policies that require adjustments to promote adaptation identified and reviewed.4.1 Knowledge and lessons learned to support implementation of adaptation measures compiled and disseminated
Contacts:
Project Contact Person
Jessica Troni
Regional Technical Advisor
UNDP/GEF
+27 (012) 354 8056
jessica.troni@undp.orgProject Status:
CEO EndorsedPrimary Beneficiaries:
subsistence farmers and rural communitiesResources:
File(s):
