IRRIGATION CRUCIAL IN AFRICA-COMESA

 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) says irrigation is crucial for sustainable food security in African countries .

COMESA climate change advisor Dr. Mclay Kanyangarara explains to Maybin Katungulu  that governments and cooperating partners should seriously consider supporting small scale farmers in irrigation technologies.

" As COMESA we have been talking and advocating that governments and cooperating partners to seriously invest in irrigation. In this case a farmer will be able to produce even in the absence of adequate rainfall. It is obvious that doing so will ensure sustainable food security. Now you must understand that here am talking about supporting small scale farmer who is a major contributor to national food basket', says Dr. Kanyangarara.

Meanwhile Dr. Kanyangarara also advises farmers to adopt methods aimed at managing water for crop production.

He says water harvesting is such an affordable technology which can help small scale farmer produce enough even in the absence of adequate rainfall.

"There are also available means or let me say technologies which a farmer can use to manage water for crop production. For instance water harvest should be practiced, here a farmer just needs to dig basins and water will be trapped at plant level. I must agree that here in Zambia the technic is wide spread among the farmers", Dr. Kanyangarara explains.

The change in the climate is a serious challenge on crop production especially in African countries where majority small holder farmers depend on rain fed agriculture.

Climate change is a political issue, especially in African Countries-French Ambassador

As World leaders prepare to meet in France at a Climate Change Conference in December this year French Ambassador to Zambia says climate change is a political issue especially in African countries.

The leaders will be deciding on what radical actions should be put in place to address climate change.

 Our staffer Maybin Augustine Katungulu reports that Ambassador Emmanuel Collins noted that already countries in Africa have witnessed conflicts over land and water bodies.

Speaking in Lusaka at a World Wide globe views meeting Mr. Collins charged that climate change is an issue for peace, security, justice, equity and development

He added that the conference in Paris which will take place this year should find solutions for poor countries who are suffering the adverse effects of climate change.

“It is unfair for developing nations to continue suffering the effects of climate change such as droughts and floods when they actually contribute little to green- house emission which are responsible for this predicament”, he said.

On the other hand Common Market for Easter and Southern Africa (COMESA) says international negotiations on climate change should include a fund met to support small scale farmers in irrigation.

Climate Change advisor at COMESA, Dr.  Mclay Kanyangarara is of the view that such funding will help farmers greatly in adaptation amid the challenges of climate change.