The agriculture ministry has deployed ten tractors to flood-hit areas in the Zambezi region to assist farmers in transporting harvested crops from submerged fields to higher ground.

The affected areas include Masokotwani, Zilitene, Machita, Lusu, Mbilajwe, Miyako, Linyanti and Sangwali, where rising flood levels have disrupted farming activities.

The ministry’s deputy director for public relations, Romeo Muyunda, in a media statement on Saturday said so far, 14 farmers, comprising six men and eight women have benefited from the initiative, with a total of 57.5 tonnes of crops successfully moved to safer areas.

He said the operation will continue until 17 April 2026, after which it will be reviewed to determine the next step.

In addition to crop recovery efforts, “The ministry is assessing options to support livestock grazing areas affected by the floods. Two 10 000-litre water tanks have already been deployed to relocation centres for flood victims, with more expected soon,” he said.

Plans are also underway to provide mobile sanitation facilities at these centres.

“The intervention recognises the significant effort and investment made by farmers, many of whom rely on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods,” Muyunda said while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to supporting affected communities as flooding continues to impact the region. -Nampa