Trees, Agriculture, and Food Security
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 (25-02-2026) – A total of 1,123 trees were planted today at Boswell Imakando Correctional Training School in Kabwe as part of a national programme to restore degraded land, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen food security, with support from private partners such as the Mupapa Environmental and Social Sustainability Initiative (MESSI).
Mr Shimwambwa noted that the initiative aligns with Zambia’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action and Goal 15 on life on land.
“In 2025, Kabwe District established five nurseries and we have maintained the same target for 2026 to support afforestation efforts,” Mr Shimwambwa said.
“This tree planting launch is a significant step toward achieving our environmental sustainability goals.”
Reflecting on the 2023–2024 floods, Mr Shimwambwa said environmental restoration is critical to building resilience against future climate shocks, which disrupted power supply and worsened food insecurity.
Speaking during an engagement with the Zambia Correctional Service, Mr Weltin said all available land, especially within correctional facilities, must be used productively to benefit both the environment and food security.
He challenged the commanding officer to ensure that all land is fully utilised within the next three years.
“This is not made by politics. It is made by us who have depleted the forest and by those people who burn dry grass for easy cleaning of areas,” Mr Weltin said.
Mr Weltin emphasised that trees play a key role in regulating the water cycle and atmospheric balance, adding that Zambia has already lost significant forest cover.
He commended MESSI for deliberately replacing trees, describing the initiative as a strong example of corporate environmental responsibility.
Mr Weltin said his company, which employs 52 workers, relies largely on agricultural inputs, showing the direct link between sustainable farming, environmental protection, and economic survival.
He expressed hope that agricultural and environmental initiatives within correctional facilities would benefit communities once inmates are reintegrated.
Looking ahead, Mr Weltin encouraged horticulture and livestock projects, including vegetables such as cabbage, onions, and lettuce, as well as dairy and beef farming, to strengthen local food security.
Mr Weltin said livestock production is critical because animals efficiently convert grass into protein and provide energy through meat and milk. He stressed that proper care and feeding are essential.
He concluded by urging communities to stop burning grass, warning that the practice damages the environment and reduces agricultural productivity.
Mr Mulenga said planting trees is an act of wisdom and responsibility, particularly when institutions are entrusted with land that must be used productively.
He challenged the Commanding Officer to ensure that within three years, every square metre of available land at the training centre is fully utilised.
Mr Mulenga emphasised that trees are essential to the water cycle and help regulate the balance between the earth and the atmosphere, warning that many trees have already been lost.
He noted that environmental degradation is not about politics but about human actions, especially forest depletion and grass burning for land clearing.
Mr Mulenga praised private sector partnerships, commending MESSI for replacing trees as part of corporate environmental responsibility programmes.
He highlighted that his own company, employing 52 workers, relies heavily on agriculture, showing the link between environmental protection, sustainable farming, and food security.
Mr Mulenga expressed hope that environmental and agricultural initiatives in correctional facilities would positively impact society when inmates are reintegrated.
He encouraged developing gardens, lawns, and flower beds, alongside cultivating vegetables such as cabbage, onions, and lettuce, to enhance local food production.
Mr Mulenga said livestock production should be strengthened to provide milk and meat, noting that animals efficiently convert grass into protein.
He urged communities to care for animals properly and strongly called for an end to grass burning, stressing its negative impact on both the environment and food security.
Kamanga said the initiative began with 2,500 trees at Moimbership Prison and has now moved to the Maximum Training Center, where the team plans to plant 30,000 trees and restore degraded forest areas.
He said the group has so far planted 1,100 trees and remains committed to reaching 30,000 by the end of the year. Kamanga emphasised that the project also promotes social and environmental sustainability through engagement with local stakeholders.
“We cannot continue talking about climate change without taking action,” Kamanga said. “We have seen the devastating impacts of drought, and planting trees is one way we can reduce these effects on our environment and support food security.”
Kamanga added that the initiative reflects growing recognition among Zambian communities that proactive measures such as reforestation are essential, especially in drought-prone areas, to safeguard both the environment and food production.
ABOUT MESSI
The Mupapa Environmental and Social Sustainability Initiative (MESSI) is a Zambian NGO focused on environmental, social, and economic programs. Its mission is to restore and protect forests, promote sustainable value-addition in timber and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), empower youth and women, and educate communities on forest management.
MESSI combines community engagement, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and social enterprise to ensure environmental conservation supports local livelihoods. The initiative aims to protect natural landscapes, combat climate change, and conserve habitats for endangered species while fostering long-term social and economic development in Zambia.
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