Zambia : Zambians Cautioned Against Looming El Nino

The Restoration for Community Justice has urged Zambians to begin preparing now for a drier-than-normal 2026/27 rainy season, as scientists warn of a strengthening El Niño weather pattern expected to peak between October and December this year.

‎In a press release issued to the media today, Restoration for Community Justice Chief Executive Officer Mathews Mulenga says, according to reports, most of Southern Africa, Zambia included, is projected to receive below-normal rainfall between October 2026 and March 2027.

‎Mr Mulenga said this will be driven by the El Niño phenomenon in the tropical pacific.

‎Mr Mulenga said the country cannot afford to treat the warning casually, given that agriculture, energy and tourism, all climate-sensitive sectors, underpin the livelihoods of millions of Zambians.

‎”This is not a Kanchibiya problem or a Muchinga problem. This is a national emergency in the making and every Zambian, from the smallholder farmer in the village to the policymaker in Lusaka, has a role to play in preparing for it,” Mr Mulenga said.

‎He said over two million smallholder farmers nationwide are at risk and warned that this year’s record national maize harvest of five million metric tons should not create complacency, recalling that the drought of 2023/24 wiped out similar gains just as quickly as they were made.

‎Mr Mulenga has since called on farmers across the country to diversify into early-maturing and drought-tolerant crops and embrace alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, fish farming, and small livestock rearing, which are less exposed to erratic rainfall.

‎He also urged the government to invest more in early warning systems and anticipatory action, further calling on farmers nationwide not to sell off their entire harvest but to retain some for reserves for the anticipated lean period.

‎And Kanchibiya District Co-operative Union Chairperson Robert Mushili said cooperatives across Zambia are willing to adopt early warning information but need it communicated in practical, timely terms.

‎”This message should reach every corner of Zambia, not just districts like ours. If farmers everywhere know in September what to expect, they can still make good decisions before it is too late,” Mr Mushili said.

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