Zambia Roundup: Power outages, press freedom, climate-smart agriculture

Climate-smart agriculture

The UK has pledged £6 million to train Zambian farmers in climate-smart agriculture techniques. The funding will help reduce deforestation, protect nature, and cut emissions. Farmers will be trained in crop rotation, diversification, and efficient irrigation to prevent forest clearing. The investment will also support agro-forestry and provide digital technology to cope with changing weather patterns. This initiative is part of the UK's efforts to protect nature, tackle climate change, and halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. Chief Nyamphande of Nyamphande Chiefdom in Eastern Zambia has expressed gratitude for the program's support in adapting to climate-sensitive agricultural practices, NUK reports.

Power outages

ZESCO Limited may increase load-shedding hours sooner than expected due to high power usage. Some areas are already experiencing more than eight hours of outages. According to News Diggers, the company has revised the load-shedding schedule to distribute power outages more equitably. Customers are concerned about the extended duration of outages, with power sometimes being off for 11 or 12 hours.

Road offences

A joint task force of Zambia Police and RTSA impounded 50 vehicles in Lusaka's CBD for various road offences. The vehicles included 44 minibuses, a Toyota Hiace, and six private vehicles. The operation was carried out on May 2, 2024, from 08:00 to 18:00 hours, News Diggers reports.

Solar power supply

Zambia and Turkey's YEO are partnering to build a 60 MW/20 MWh solar plant with battery storage in southern Zambia, expected to be operational by September 2025. The project aims to provide electricity to 65,000 households and mitigate power shortages in the country. According to PV Magazine, the Zambian government is also looking to tap into Turkey's expertise in engineering and battery storage to set up an assembly plant in the country.

Press freedom

The Ministry of Information and Media reaffirms the government's commitment to an independent and vibrant press. News Diggers reports that the Permanent Secretary pledged support to protect the media and recognize the power of journalism as a force for positive change in addressing the environmental crisis. This commitment was made during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.