Climate Change Mitigation

Climate change includes high temperatures and droughts which has drastically affected farming and survival as a whole. PAM mitigates the effects of Climate change through the promotion of the production of Climate-resilient crops in affected areas. This also includes knowledge transfer, the introduction of new farming techniques.

FAO – CASSAVA NURSERIES ESTABLISHMENT PROJECT FOR SOUTHERN PROVINCE

Implemented in just under one year in three districts of the Southern Province of Zambia namely; Siavonga, Sinazongwe, and Kalomo, this particular Norwegian funded, FAO Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM) project aimed at promoting crop diversification through the addition of cassava in the farmers’ cropping system.

Project Objectives

• Promote crop diversification through the addition of cassava in the farmers’ cropping system.
• Establish seven (7) hectares of Cassava nursery fields in the project catchment area.
• Recruit thirteen (13) Farmers to establish Cassava nursery fields.

Project Components

• Nursery Establishment
• Planting of Nurseries
• Farmer Training

Project Implementation

As a leading agro-based Non-Governmental-Organization, PAM already had its presence in Siavonga through the Small Holder Access to Processing Extension and Seeds (SHAPES) Project. SHAPES was involved in Cassava seed multiplication. It, therefore, became logical to locally source the Cassava cuttings for Siavonga.

Project Successes

Despite the challenges faced, the project achieved an 84% success rate on the planted hectares. The utilization and value addition training whetted the beneficiaries’ appetite for Cassava and almost instantaneously triggered an interest in adopting it as a staple rather than a mere snack.

Project Impact

The project had a significant impact on the farmers and the community. The Cassava processing and utilization training covered the making of other value-added products like bread, cakes, and fritters. The interest in increasing Cassava field cultivated areas naturally grew among the farmers in view of enlightenment about the Nutritional and Economic importance of the root tuber in question.

Summary

Climate change includes high temperatures and droughts which has drastically affected farming and survival as a whole. PAM mitigates the effects of Climate change through the promotion of the production of Climate-resilient crops in affected areas. This also includes knowledge transfer, the introduction of new farming techniques.