81238160 — Sustainable WRM and Agricultural Water Use in Zambia

Zambias water resources of both surface and groundwater are generally abundant, therefore there is high potential for agriculture as well as for the development of water for domestic and industrial, agricultural and hydropower uses. However, it is these (increasingly) competing demands along with a geographical shift in rainfall patterns, which have led to water stress, particularly in the project region-the Lower Kafue Sub-catchment. Consequently, water resources in the intervention area are under pressure. Increasing frequency and the length of dry spells severely affect smallholder farmers who are heavily susceptible to climate variability because of their dependence on rain fed agriculture. Smallholders generally lack knowledge and financial resources to harvest, store and use water in an efficient and economically sustainable manner for watering their fields and/or livestock. These farmers are therefore not able to produce throughout the year, which has negative impacts on their livelihoods. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (the ultimate commissioning party) has commissioned GIZ to implement the overall project. Under the EU National Indicative Programme for 2014–2021 (NIP; 11th EDF), the EU Delegation in Zambia launched its Support to sustainable commercialisation of Zambian smallholder farmers Programme. The European Union shall provide financial support for implementation of the overall project. The objective of the overall project is sustainable Water Resources Management and Agricultural Water Use.