A €1 million drought response project launched in Southern Province is aiming to transform 4,000 smallholder farmers into climate-resilient entrepreneurs, through a bold initiative led by Action Against Hunger Zambia, in partnership with the German Federal Government, the GIZ CREATE Project and Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Unveiled in Choma this week, the initiative marks a shift from emergency aid to entrepreneurial resilience, offering climate-smart tools and water resource support to farmers across Mazabuka, Monze, and Pemba districts, all located along the drought-prone Kafue watershed.
Speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary for Southern Province, Dr. Naamani H. Monze, declared: “This is not just a relief effort. It is a strategic investment in long-term recovery, resilience, and food system transformation.”
The €1 million project is part of the GIZ Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CREATE) Project and its core goal is economic empowerment through agricultural innovation.
Key interventions include:
- Promoting climate-smart agriculture to boost productivity and income.
- Expanding water access and sustainable water management.
- Strengthening community-level capacity to mitigate climate shocks.
- Enhancing governance and coordination across agricultural stakeholders.
The initiative is expected to increase local farmers’ competitiveness by turning traditional agricultural practices into scalable, market-driven ventures. “With better water management and climate-smart techniques, farmers can shift from surviving to thriving,” said Action Against Hunger Zambia in a statement.
Officials from national, provincial, and district levels attended the event, signalling a high-level push for intersectoral collaboration and local ownership. The structure mirrors Zambia’s devolved governance approach and aims to embed climate entrepreneurship into regional economic development.
“This successful launch highlights a renewed commitment to inclusive partnerships and ensuring no one is left behind,” said Action Against Hunger – Zambia. “Together, we will Create resilience. Creat opportunity. Create a sustainable future.”
As Zambia faces intensifying climate risks, the CREATE initiative is emerging as a practical model for turning farmers into frontline climate entrepreneurs blending survival strategies with sustainable growth in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
