PRESS RELEASEPRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)
Ministry of Green Economy and Enviroment
Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-Emissions Reduction Project-EP-JSLP
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)
European Development Partners Witness Climate Action Taking Root in Katete as Farmers and Communities Drive Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Forest Management
Katete, Eastern Province-21th September 2026-A high-level delegation from various European diplomatic missions, along with government and development partners, recently visited Katete District to see first-hand the impressive strides being made in Climate-Smart Agriculture-CSA and Community Forest Management-CFMG.
This visit highlighted how local farmers and communities are not only adapting to climate change but also enhancing their landscapes and boosting their livelihoods.
Organized by the Eastern Province GIZ Agri-Food Cluster, the tour included the visit at the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroforestry Farmer Field School in Dole and the Chiswa Community Forest Management Group (CFMG) along the Great East Road.
The delegation included notable figures such as Simon ten Brinke-Jackson, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Zambia Vincent Maher, the Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Ireland in Zambia, Christina Wedekull, the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, and Andreas Pletziger, the Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Germany in Lusaka.
They were joined by Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme-Emissions Reduction Project-EP-JSLP Project Coordinator Noel Muchimba, acting Katete District Commissioner Paul Ngongolo, and other officials.
At the Dole Farmer Field School, lead farmer Stanley Mbewe showcased innovative Climate-Smart Agriculture and agroforestry techniques, such as the use of Leucaena and Gliricidia plants, irrigation methods, metal silos, and household biogas production.
Mr. Mbewe expressed his gratitude to EP-JSLP for their support in providing training and resources, emphasizing that these efforts are significantly enhancing food security, livelihoods, and resilience against climate change.
Farmers like Solobati Phiri also shared their personal experiences and demonstrated the Climate-Smart practices they have adopted.
During the visit, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Zambia Simon ten Brinke-Jackson praised the farmers for their commitment to Climate-Smart Agriculture and encouraged the broader adoption of these successful methods.
European Development Partners are seeing first-hand how climate action is blossoming in Katete, thanks to the efforts of farmers and local communities who are championing climate-smart agriculture and sustainable forest management.
During a recent visit, Simon ten Brinke-Jackson praised the farmers for their commitment to these practices and urged others to follow suit.
“It’s essential that more farmers learn from and replicate the successful methods showcased by their peers,” he said.
The delegation also took a tour of the Chiswa Community Forest Management Group, where the Chairperson Sekelani Banda shared insights about their stewardship of around 613 hectares of forest.
The group is actively involved in fire management, boundary marking, forest restoration, and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
With support from EP-JSLP, they have set up 220 beehives, which not only provide a source of income but also promote forest conservation.
Noel Muchimba, the EP-JSLP Project Coordinator, emphasized the vital role that Community Forest Management Groups play in sustainable forest management, landscape restoration, and reducing emissions in Eastern Province.
After the visit, Vincent Maher, Simon ten Brinke-Jackson, and Andreas Pletziger expressed their admiration for the Chiswa community’s dedication to sustainable forest practices, highlighting the significance of forest regeneration and community involvement.
“Active participation from the community and forest regeneration are key to preserving our forest resources and enhancing sustainable management,” they noted.
These discussions reinforced the collective commitment of the Government and its partners to fostering climate resilience, promoting sustainable agriculture, restoring forests, and supporting community-led livelihoods, all while encouraging knowledge-sharing and the broader adoption of effective strategies.
The EP-JSLP is implemented by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, with support from the World Bank, while Climate-Smart Agriculture interventions are implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Originally and issued by:
Creavat Chituta
Communications Officer
Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP)
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment
Email: Creavat.Chituta@epjslp.org.zm