Eastern Province steps up world food day preparations

Eastern Province has heightened its preparations to host the 2026 World Food Day provincial commemorations, scheduled to take place on October 16th at the Chipata Trades Training Institute. As authorities and agricultural stakeholders across the region put finishing touches on the event's logistics, the upcoming gathering serves as a crucial platform for addressing food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices in Zambia's eastern breadbasket. The choice of the Chipata Trades Training Institute as the venue underscores the critical linkage between technical education, youth involvement, and modern agricultural development. Organizers are working closely with provincial administration, local farming cooperatives, and educational institutions to ensure an engaging exhibition that showcases indigenous crops, innovative farming technologies, and value-addition initiatives designed to combat post-harvest losses. Local authorities in Chipata have emphasized that this year's event goes beyond ceremonial recognition, functioning instead as a practical forum for farmers, extension officers, and entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge. With climate variability posing persistent challenges to traditional rain-fed agriculture in the region, stakeholders are expected to prioritize discussions on climate-resilient crop varieties, irrigation techniques, and sustainable water management. The commemorations also provide an opportunity to evaluate ongoing government and private sector interventions aimed at empowering smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Eastern Province's agrarian economy. Exhibitions featuring agro-processing outputs and youth-led agricultural startups are anticipated to draw significant interest from policymakers and financial institutions operating within the province. As the October 16th date draws nearer, provincial committees are finalizing mobilization efforts to ensure robust participation from rural communities, traditional leader