After a series of thematic workshops to showcase results of the 2.0 Research Programme in the SASSCAL member countries, the institution concluded this exercise by conducting its fifth and final thematic workshop with calls for scientific research to serve as the cornerstone for informed policy-making, practical solutions, and community resilience. The workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia from 20 to 21 May 2025, under the theme “Strengthening Climate Change Response Through Scientific Research On Forest Eco System, Agriculture and Water Resources”. Similar workshops have been held since 2024 in other SASSCAL member states including Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Permanent Secretary of the Zambian Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS), Dr. Briliant Habeenzu, who officiated the event said the world today faces considerable economic, social and environmental challenges arising from the confluence of trends in climate change, population growth, agricultural expansion, deforestation, water scarcity and loss of biodiversity. He painted a grim picture of Zambia, where climate-induced disasters have affected over 2 million people and cost the economy billions of dollars over the past two decades.
“Droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall patterns are threatening food security and livelihoods, particularly for the 70% of the rural population dependent on agriculture,” the Permanent Secretary said adding “These statistics are not merely numbers, they are the lived experiences of our people.” Dr Habeenzu said he is confident that scientists and researchers can contribute to the efforts of the Zambian Government led by H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema in addressing the challenges of climate change in that country.
Meanwhile, Mr. John Lukonde Chongo, SASSCAL’s Alternate Board Member for Zambia, also delivered remarks at the event. He thanked SASSCAL for hosting the 2.0 Research Programme Thematic Workshop and emphasised the importance of the workshop’s theme. SASSCAL, with generous funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has been implementing the SASSCAL 2.0 Research portfolio since 2021. This portfolio includes 51 sub-projects, implemented by over 24 research and academic institutions. It has also supported 104 postgraduate students across the southern African region.
Each project benefits from collaboration between at least two regional partners and one German institution. In Zambia, SASSCAL is currently supporting seven research and capacity development projects at a cost of one million, four hundred euros. These projects are already contributing to policy, innovation, and improved community practices.
The projects include Sustainable management of soil fertility (ANGSOILS); Beekeeping and honey production; Enhanced livelihood and natural resource management under accelerated climate change (ELNAC); Food Security through Climate-Resilient Crops (FOSRECS); Farmer Resilience and Melon Crop Diversity (FRAME); Tipping Points Explained by Climate Change (TIPPECC), and Virtual Regional Pole of Engineering (VRPE).
Meanwhile, SASSCAL Director of Science, Technology and Capacity Development, Dr Budzanani Tacheba, reiterated the importance of the theme and focus of the fifth Thematic Workshop. The objective of the workshops was to showcase results as well as linkages between the SASSCAL 2.0 Research Programme activities with national policy and demonstrate impact from the research conducted so far. The SASSCAL Research Programme was established to address pertinent issues related to climate change and land management in the region.
Dr Tacheba said inorder to combat the climate change challenges, Zambia must strengthen its climate response through targeted scientific research in forest ecosystems, agriculture, and water management. “By integrating research findings into policy and practice, Zambia can enhance resilience, ensure food security, and sustain livelihoods in a changing climate environment,” he added.
National Programme Coordinator at the SASSCAL Zambia National Node Office, Dr Chomba Innocent Chomba, said there is a realisation at SASSCAL that tackling the challenges of climate change is a task that requires intergrated efforts from different stakeholders, bearing in mind that climate change is a complex issue whose dynamics are not yet fully understood. “Thus, the need for continued research and capacity building in climate change adaptation, mitigation, and policy,” said Dr Chomba.
The event brought together more than 70 researchers from SASSCAL projects, government departments and Agencies, NGOs, development partners, academics, SASSCAL supported students, SASSCAL staff from the Regional Sectrariat and National Nodes and other participants. The SASSCAL 2.0 Research Programme will conclude in March 2026, and all 13 Projects under the portfolio are wrapping up and writing reports of their research findings, which will be shared at the SASSCAL 2.0 Final Research Conference to be held in Angola towards the end of this year.
