DRY SPELL HITS ZAMBIA!
DRY spells are one of the climate change hazards that continue to exert pressure on the agriculture sector, hence affecting food security.
Understanding dry spell characteristics of an area helps in coming up with interventions and adaptive measures among other advantages.
Impacts of natural hazards, some of which are a result of climate change, are a global challenge. Such hazards include droughts and dry spells, which have various impacts on agricultural production, affecting the people’s socioeconomic livelihoods including agriculture.
According to the World Health Organisation, a dry spell can be defined as a sequence of dry days including days with less than a threshold value of rainfall.
In Africa, 90 percent of the food production is from rain-fed agriculture, and the occurrence of dry spells during the growing season leads to low yields and a high risk of crop failure, consequently leading to food insecurity.
With few resources to adapt to climate change hazards such as dry spells, developing countries in Africa such as Zambia are left vulnerable.
The effects of dry spells in agriculture are more pronounced especially in countries that rely on rain fed agriculture like Zambia.
Reports on dry spell characteristics are motivated by the underlying problem that dry spells are considered to be the origin of poor crop production, assuming other environmental factors constant.
Among other factors, the frequency and length of dry spells has a huge impact on the success and failure in crop production during rainy seasons.
Reports further states that understanding characteristics such as dry spell distribution within a rainy season enhances benefits in rain fed agricultural regions.
Knowledge of the dry spell characteristics can be useful for deciding a particular crop or variety, supplementary irrigation water demand and drought interpretation.
In irrigation the information on dry spells can also help in irrigation schemes to plan for supplementary irrigation during a rainy season as well as predicting irrigation demand.
Due to variability in rainfall patterns, the dry period in one year is not necessarily the same as drying in another year, hence the knowledge of behaviour of these patterns has become increasingly important to understand
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu, has said the prolonged dry spell affecting the country is likely to affect agriculture productivity, water availability, and power generation.
The extended period of reduced rainfall is expected to have significant repercussions on agricultural activities.
Crops such as maize, soya beans, and other staples are particularly vulnerable, as they require adequate moisture during crucial growth stages. The dry conditions may lead to water stress, wilting, and yield losses, ultimately impacting food security.
The minister said this in Parliament in a ministerial statement on the performance of the 2023-2024 rainfall season and the ongoing dry spell.
Mr. Nzovu noted that the situation, observed since January 20, 2024, is likely to persist throughout February, particularly in the southern regions of the country.
However, the solution to dry spells should long term because this is not the first time Zambia is experiencing this problem thus threatening food security.
It is, therefore, for this reason that the government should massively invest in a countrywide irrigation system because of the huge water bodies the country is poised of. We cannot continue depending on rain fed agriculture when the country is blessed with abundant water resources.
Zambia has extensive surface water resources, with a number of large perennial rivers. The major dammed surface water reservoirs are used primarily for electricity, but also provide water supplies.
Some of the major water bodies the country has includes Lake Bangweulu, Lake Mweru, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Kariba and Lake Mweru-Wantipa. The major rivers are Zambezi, Luapula, Kafue, Chambeshi, Luongo, Lusenfwa and Luangwa.
Irrigation systems are designed to transport water directly to the root systems of plants and crops. As a result, this minimizes water wastage through evaporation and runoff, leading to more efficient water use and conservation.
Proper irrigation ensures crops receive a constant and adequate water supply to crops and plants. This contributes to an increase in yield, better crop quality and promoted uniform growth.
Irrigation reduces the risks caused by unpredictable weather patterns, such as droughts or irregular rainfall, by providing a consistent water supply. Allowing for stable food production and preventing crop failures and food shortages.
Farmers can grow a wider range of crops all year round, including those that require specific water conditions, when using an irrigation system.
It can promote crop diversification and reduces dependence on a single type of crop. As a result, this assists to maintain soil health and improves resilience to pests and diseases.
Irrigation allows for the extension of growing seasons beyond natural rainfall periods, enabling farmers to cultivate crops year-round and optimise land use.
Using an irrigation system can assist to control and prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure and maintain a balanced moisture level. As well as contributes to better nutrient retention by reducing nutrient runoff.
Apart from becoming food secure, more jobs would be created in the sector and subsequently contribute to poor reduction.
It is therefore, undisputable that investing irrigation system can be a game changer in the attainment of national food security and economic growth because a healthy nation is a wealth one.