Bloomberg reports that Zambia has reduced hydropower production at the Kariba Dam because of rapidly declining water levels at the world’s biggest man-made reservoir that straddles the border with Zimbabwe, the energy minister said.

“We have noted the poor water situation for the Zambezi system necessitating reduction in generation at Kariba,” Matthew Nkhuwa said, without providing further details.

Water outflows through the turbines at Kariba, which shows how much power they’re producing, has been cut by 27 percent this month.

The dam has dropped to 43 percent of capacity from 85 percent in October, as inflows from the Zambezi River that feeds it dwindle.

Flows at Victoria Falls about 120 kilometers (75 miles) upstream are less than half of what they were a year ago, and near a record low for this time of the year, according to data from the Zambezi River Authority, which manages the dam.

Still, water supplies at other hydroelectric facilities in the country have been favorable, including at Kafue Gorge, the second-biggest power plant in Zambia, Nkhuwa said in reply to emailed questions. These will cover any shortages at Kariba, and the government doesn’t foresee power cuts as a result, he said.

The depletion of Kariba’s waters is “very troubling,” said Will Pearson, a director at U.S.-based advisory company Triskel.

“The levels at Kariba’s reservoir have fallen dramatically in recent months, and the situation will likely exacerbate,” he said by email.

“Unlike Zambia’s last power crisis only three years ago, the ability to tap regional markets will be limited by the power shortage hitting South Africa and the arrears Zesco owes for previous emergency imports from Mozambique and to domestic suppliers.”

Mines in Zambia, Africa’s second-biggest copper producer, account for more than half of electricity demand and any shortages could cut output of the metal.

If there are extensive shortages, this could hit the mining industry and add to the likelihood of cuts to copper production this year, Pearson said. Companies including First Quantum Minerals Ltd. and Glencore Plc operate mines in Zambia.

The Kariba hydropower station is Zambia’s biggest electricity source, with capacity of 1,080 megawatts out of state-owned electricity supplier Zesco Ltd.’s total of 2,337 megawatts. The southern African nation suffered a power crisis with rolling blackouts lasting as long as 12 hours when Kariba’s water levels showed a similar drop in 2015.

Vedanta Resources Group Chairman Anil Agarwal has said his company is still committed to the 50 year vision at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and ultimately the development of Zambia.

Mr Agarwal was speaking on Tuesday in Lusaka during his visit to Zambia where he met with Republican President His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu at State House as part of his plans to promote regular stakeholder engagement with governments in countries where Vedanta operates and garner support for the benefit of employees and the local communities.

Mr Agarwal congratulated president Lungu on his tenure and the economic growth in the country that has been experienced under his leadership. He also discussed the new fiscal regime in place and the need to relook some of the elements to ensure growth for the mining sector and the entire Zambian economy in general. He praised President Lungu for the good economic climate and his exemplary leadership.

The Vedanta Chairman said he was committed to fulfilling the US$1 billion pledge he made during his last visit in 2017 and that he wants to ramp up production at the Konkola Deep Mine in Chililabombwe, the future of KCM. To date over $300 million has been invested in KCM.

Mr. Agarwal said the Vedanta Group is determined to grow business across the globe and Africa continues to have special focus.

He is scheduled to commission the Gamsberg Zinc project in South Africa on 28th February this year which will be officiated by the South African President and Group Chairman.

Mr Agarwal later had a meeting with the KCM Executive Committee (ExCo) where he wished the team success and called on all employees to put in their best in order to turn around the company.

Ministers of National Development Planning, Agriculture and Copperbelt Province have supported the African Development Bank (AfDB) proposal to implement Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ) at Luswishi Farm Block in Lufwanyama District in Copperbelt.
The Staple Crop Processing Zone concept is envisaged to facilitate the development of idle land into commercially viable farm production and processing operations.

African Development Bank delegation, led by Country Manager Manneko Mary Monyau, made a presentation about the SCPZ for Luswishi Farm Block to Honourable Ministers Mr. Alexander Chiteme (National Development Planning), Mr. Michael Katambo (Agriculture) and Mr. Japhen Mwakalombe (Copperbelt Province), Permanent Secretaries Mr. Chola Chabala and Mr. Mushuma Mulenga (both of National Development Planning) and Mr. Songowayo Zgambo (Agriculture) and other officials at the Ministry of National Development Planning on Thursday.

AfDB Chief Agriculture Economist Duncan Mwesige explained that the Staple Crop Processing Zone initiative was aimed at sustainable and balanced agri-industrialisation, promoting investments in the agriculture sector, enhancing rural livelihood opportunities, drive economic growth and reducing rural-urban migration.

“The proposed SCPZ is a timely initiative to create wealth, employment, food security and fits well with the new trends in developing sustainable technologies and innovative products to address the challenges posed due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation and fast depletion of natural resources faced by the sector,” Mr. Mwesige explained.

He called for private sector to invest in the Staple Crop Processing Zone.

Mr. Mwesige said, through the SCPZ, Zambia can develop a globally competitive agro-industry, promote synergies and productive relationships between business enterprises and farmers.

The AfDB Chief Agriculture Economist added that the SCPZ would assist in achieving the transformation of the agriculture sector and make Zambia one of the leading players in the global food markets and grow wealth for the farming community.

He expressed optimism that the programme would transform.

Mr. Mwesige appealed to the Government to prioritise the tarring of the road leading to Luswishi Farm Block.

AfDB Country Manager Ms. Monyau congratulated the Zambian Government for the improvement of its AfDB portfolio that currently stands at 77 per cent.

And Minister Chiteme expressed Government commitment to improve the welfare of the people, adding that initiatives like SCPZ were welcome to empower the masses.

He stressed that Farm Block development is one of the programme areas identified in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) to help accelerate economic diversification and job creation. The Minister said Farming Blocks were part of the strategies that support reduction of poverty and inequalities in the country.

Mr. Chiteme noted that crop processing would contribute to Government’s efforts to create jobs, food security and economic growth of the country.

Agriculture Minister Katambo assured that his ministry would consider budget lines from which resources could be mobilised towards Government’s counterpart funding towards the SCPZ at Luswishi Farm Block.

Copperbelt Minister Mwakalombe expressed gratitude that the project would contribute to food production and processing in the Province, which could even be supplied to other regions and neighbouring countries. Mr. Mwakalombe said Copperbelt Province was diversifying its economy and would therefore lobby for the speedy implementation of the SCPZ at Luswishi Farm Block.