The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Right. Honourable. Ms. Nelly B.K. Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, has called on Members of Parliament to advocate for the use of solar powered water infrastructure for irrigation to boost crop production during periods of drought in their constituencies. She made this call during her visit to Shamanjanji Village, Mphande Hills, in Kafue District on Wednesday, 19^th March 2025.

Speaker Mutti said that by utilizing solar powered irrigation systems, communities would be able to grow food throughout the year, thereby helping to combat hunger, reduce pressure on the government to provide food aid, enhance food security and increase household incomes.

“When Members of Parliament are in the Chamber, they often raise concerns about hunger. Last year’s drought made this understandable. However, this year, the Lord has blessed us with abundant rain, leading to floods in some areas,” she said.

Speaker Mutti noted with thanks to the community of Shamanjanji Village for their irrigation efforts, which have been collecting rainwater, enabling them to cultivate multiple crops. She said the initiative not only enhances food security but also allows them to sustainably feed themselves and their families.

And on the same day, Speaker Mutti visited a training farm in Nanduba Village, in Kafue District, where she engaged with the youth of Mphande and commended them for taking part in community farming initiatives. She noted that some fields had withering maize, but the crops in the irrigation-supported fields were thriving.

"As we were coming, we noticed that in some fields, the maize was withering. But when we compare them to yours, your crops are thriving, thanks to this very irrigation system. As a farmer myself, I must admit I’m even embarrassed to show the state of my own crops. So, I and my workers want to learn from you, so that we, too, can make an impact in our community,” she said.

She encouraged the youths to continue with their good work, assuring them that the Government and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) are committed to providing the necessary support. She added that the Nelly Mutti Foundation would also play a role in assisting them.

Speaker Mutti further encouraged the community to prioritize education, stating that it would enable individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. She added that education would help address challenges such as the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teenage pregnancies.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Access Water, Mr. Rodney Katongo, said that Mphande Community Development Project aims to improve rural livelihoods through solar-powered water systems for irrigation, enhanced food security and increased income.

He stated that three villages had been equipped with solar-powered water infrastructure, allowing year-round irrigation on 25 hectares with a storage capacity of 120,000 liters.

“Two villages now have 10,000-liter clean water kiosks, benefiting 1,000 people and 500 animals and over 500 small-scale farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture, with 300 achieving food security. Additionally, a solar-powered green training farm supports sustainability by producing crops and generating revenue for community projects,” he said.

And the Program Director at Tevel b'Tzedek, as well as a cooperating partner of Africa Access Water, Ms. Ayala Odenheimer, expressed appreciation for the Speaker’s visit and the support extended to the project.