Irrigation Canals: Kawambwa Farmers’ New Frontline Against Climate Change

With climate change and drought affecting most parts of Zambia, irrigation farming has become a source of hope for farmers in Kawambwa district. 

Recognizing this need, the World Bank-funded Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development (TRALARD) project has invested 11.7 million Kwacha to build permanent irrigation canals, aiming to provide a lifeline for communities hit hardest by unpredictable weather patterns.

Farmers like Osborne Mubanga from Chansa Malamba, one of the irrigation sites, have already begun reaping the benefits of these canals, growing winter maize and vegetables with consistent water access. “As soon as we saw the construction of the canal, we decided to plant maize before the rainy season started, knowing the canal would provide water for our crops,” Mubanga shared. He added that the canals have eased his workload significantly: “We no longer need to use buckets. Now, we just open furrows along the canal, making our work much easier.”

Access to a reliable water supply has enabled farmers to produce more crops outside the traditional rainy season, increasing both their income and their resilience against the effects of climate change. Francis Mukonde, another local farmer, explains, “These permanent canals have made a huge difference. Before, we used temporary furrows that eroded easily, so we had to rebuild them every year. Now, with a stable water source, we can grow various crops year-round.” Mukonde emphasized the impact of the upgraded weir, which stores water to support farming even after the rainy season ends.

Engineer Barnabas Silombo, a Technical Officer for Irrigation at the Ministry of Agriculture in Kawambwa, shared insights on the canals’ development. “The weir in Kalembwe was initially built by the Community-Based Smallholder Irrigation (COBSI) project. It was a basic structure with only one intake on the Chibolya side, and over time, one side was washed away due to lack of concrete,” he explained. In response, TRALARD came on board in 2019 to remodel the canal with two intakes: one for Chibolya and another for Kalembwe, benefiting farmers on both sides.

The canal now spans 1.8 kilometers on the Chibolya side, serving 30 water distribution boxes, while the Kalembwe side extends 2 kilometers with 40 water distribution boxes to support nearly 100 farmers. Thanks to these improvements, Kawambwa’s farmers now have year-round access to water, enabling them to sustain a variety of crops beyond the rainy season.

Sampa Kapembwa, Water and Sanitation Engineer at the Kawambwa Town Council, emphasized the importance of community responsibility in maintaining this resource. “Farmers must utilize the canals responsibly, as their construction has come at a huge cost. The operation and maintenance of the canals must be at the heart of the community. We need to prevent vandalism, and with running water available all year, there should be no excuse for not producing vegetables,” he urged. “Our farmers need to ensure they’re adding value to Kawambwa’s agricultural sector.”

As Zambia contends with ongoing drought and climate uncertainty, Kawambwa’s farmers are showing that, with water access, they can stand resilient against the challenges of climate change. The TRALARD project’s irrigation canals are more than channels of water, they are channels of hope, stability, and resilience for these communities.