LUSAKA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Zambia launched the planting of irrigated maize Thursday at farms owned by the Zambia National Service in the Kafue district of Lusaka Province, as part of the country's efforts to mitigate the effects of drought.

Minister of Defense Ambrose Lufuma, who inaugurated the program, said that the security agency plans to plant about 1,978 hectares of maize by July this year, reported the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, the state broadcaster.

This decision will significantly contribute to the country's maize stock, especially following a severe drought that has impacted agricultural crop production, he said.

Lufuma reiterated the government's commitment to addressing the crisis through the prompt implementation of various measures and stressed the importance of adopting more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices in response to climate change.

The Zambian government has announced that about six million people will need food relief due to the drought affecting 84 districts in the southern half of the country. President Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster and emergency last week, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. In response, Zambia's security forces have set up a drought disaster and emergency response team to mitigate the adverse effects of the ongoing drought. Enditem

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