By NICHOLAS MWAMBAZI
Despite Zambia having declared a National disaster in February this year, as over 72% of the country suffers from the El Niño-induced drought, affecting millions, including 3.5 million children, Mr. Reuben Namasiku’s farm is a testimony to the power of knowledge and innovations learnt from the Scale up Nutrition SUN II programme.
The SUN II programme has been a 4-year initiative, Phase 2, sponsored by UNICEF to support the First 1,000 Most Critical Days Programme led by the Government of Zambia through the National Food and Nutrition Commission and line ministries in the multi-sectoral approach aimed at addressing stunting and malnutrition cases in Zambia.
Mr. Kasamba Namasiku, a lead farmer trained under SUN II programme, is changing the narrative of mono crop subsistence farming rain fed dependency by engaging in horticulture activities in the Zambezi plain of Kalabo District in Western province.
Mr. Namasiku has set an instance of center of excellence in his garden where he has grown nutritious crops which include Biofortified orange sweet potatoes, maize and other vegetables.
The lead farmer has motivated follower farmers to withstand the negative effects of Climate Change through knowledge transfer.
The wife to Mr. Namasiku working with him, is helping Nutrition Support Group adopt and adhere to good food preparation and preservation which has yielded results in having health children in the community.
The couple was trained in storage techniques and supported with a plastic silo bin as lead farmer to protect the seed for future planting seasons by UN Technical lead on this WFP. Sadly, the bin is empty and void of any maize seed.
Namasiku narrated that in the past they depended solely on rain-fed maize, which has failed lats season due to the drought. With the knowledge and seeds provided by the SUN II programme, He is now able to plant winter maize in the wetlands and other vegetables including orange sweet potatoes. Under SUN II, the family has leant to use drought-resistant seeds, multiply seeds like orange maize, and grow diversified crops and vegetables such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and good agriculture practices. These skills have not only sustained his farm but have also become a lifeline for his household and the community.
