Emergency response to El Niño drought on smallholder farmers in Zambia to enhance resilience

This brief is about a project that was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to help smallholder farmers recover from the 2023/24 El Niño-induced drought in Zambia. Funded by Japan, the initiative focused on restoring agricultural production while strengthening long-term resilience to climate shocks in Kafue and Chilanga districts.

The project supported 1,171 households, including 734 female-headed households, through the distribution of agricultural inputs via e-vouchers. It also trained extension officers, lead farmers and community members in climate-smart agriculture and sustainable intensification practices. Six solar-powered irrigation systems were installed, providing 314 households with improved access to water and bringing 18.7 hectares under irrigation. The intervention contributed to increased maize yields, expanded crop diversification and improved access to climate-resilient technologies. By strengthening extension services and promoting energy-independent irrigation systems, the project enhanced farmers’ capacity to adapt to future droughts and climate-related shocks.