• The project will build capacity to undertake adaptation and mitigation actions in response to effects of climate change.
• Access to clean and affordable energy is a key enabler to socio-economic development.
• FAO remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Energy.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy has assured the private sector of government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment that will foster investment in the energy and agriculture sectors for accelerated economic development.

Speaking during the virtual launch of a project dubbed, Green Recovery in Agri-Food Chains through Sustainable Energy Intervention in Zambia, in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Francesca Zyambo said access to clean and affordable energy is a key enabler to socio-economic development of the country.

Ms. Zyambo noted that the agriculture sector has continued to play a critical role in contributing to the country’s food security, job creation and economic growth but limited access to distributed energy systems in the agriculture sector continues to hamper growth prospects of an efficient Agri-food system, resulting in limited investments opportunities in renewable energy solutions along the Agri-food chains in developing countries.

She further said it is for this reason that the Ministry in collaboration with FAO has developed the Green Recovery in Agri-Food Chains through Sustainable Energy Interventions in Zambia Project to identify green energy solutions and strategies in Agri-food chains to meet national targets on food security, poverty reduction and resilient economic growth.

“In addition, the project will build capacity to undertake adaptation and mitigation actions in response to the effects of climate change. The project has three major components as follows: Component A: Definition of renewable energy intervention in the Agri-food chains. Component B: Identification of pilots in the field including value chain, renewable energy intervention and location. Component C: Deployment of pilot cases in the field.”
“On the humanitarian side, component 3 will involve the deployment of a pilot demonstration project in Maheba refugee camp and it is envisaged that hundreds of agricultural households living in the camp will benefit from this development,” she stated.

Ms. Zyambo added that it is the Ministry’s hope that the project will contribute towards implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Number 2, 7 and 15 which talk about Zero Hunger, affordable and clean energy, and climate action respectively.

“I wish to applaud the Food Agriculture Organisation for their efforts in supporting renewable energy interventions in the agriculture sector. I am very confident that implementation of this project will contribute towards increased adoption of renewable energy in the Agri-food systems, thereby improving productivity and contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation,” Ms. Zyambo said.

Meanwhile, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Assistant Country Representative for Programmes Geoffrey Chomba noted that the country’s energy requirements have reached high levels, leading to an increase in the use of cheaper and unsustainable energy options, which are contributing to increased rates of environmental degradation.

“In fact, a recent study conducted by FAO, on “The Share of Agri-food Systems in Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions” shows that “Agriculture as a sector, is responsible for both non-CO2 emissions generated within the farm gate by crop and livestock activities, as well as for CO2 emissions caused by the conversion of natural ecosystems, mostly forest land and natural peat lands, to agricultural land-use.”

“Interestingly, the report from the mentioned study also states that, “currently, Agri-food systems represented more than 70% of total anthropogenic emissions in Africa and South America, the highest among all regions.” Furthermore, another FAO study on “Emissions due to Agriculture” indicates that, “globally, over 30% of all GHG emission from the Agri-food systems actually come from energy use, which is still predominantly dependent on fossil fuels,” Mr. Chomba noted.
Mr. Chomba pledged FAO’s commitment to supporting Zambia in keeping with its obligation to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, and SDG 7, which calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030.

“FAO and other Development Agencies of the United Nations, remain committed to supporting the Ministry of Energy in the work of promoting the use of clean and renewable energy alternatives across all sectors.”
“I wish to express our desire for a stronger collaboration and enhanced partnership between FAO, the Zambian Government and other key players in the energy sectors. With these few remarks, I hand back to the moderator,” he added.