CSOs call for increased funding to nutrition, agriculture and wash

As Finance and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane prepares to present the 2027 National Budget to Parliament on Friday, November 6, 2026, civil society organisations have called for increased funding towards nutrition, climate-resilient agriculture and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The organisations say investment in the three sectors is critical to improving public health, strengthening food security and advancing Zambia’s development agenda.

They have urged Government to go beyond budget announcements and ensure that allocations translate into actual funding and effective implementation of programmes that directly benefit communities.

Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance Country Coordinator Daniel Kalala says Zambia needs to increase investment in nutrition, noting that the current allocation falls far below the recommended global ambition of between 30 and 40 United States dollars per child under the age of five.

Mr Kalala says the country is currently spending about two dollars per child, which he considers inadequate to effectively address malnutrition.

He says the situation is reflected in the country’s stunting rate of 32 percent, meaning approximately three out of every ten children are affected.

Mr Kalala says child stunting is not merely a health concern but also an economic and national development challenge because it affects the potential of the future workforce.

He has therefore appealed to Government and other stakeholders to prioritise nutrition financing, noting that greater investment in proper nutrition could help prevent some health conditions and reduce the burden on the health sector.

Mr Kalala says increased budget allocations must also be matched by actual disbursements and effective utilisation of funds, as budgetary commitments alone do not guarantee improved outcomes.

And Zambia Climate Change Network National Coordinator Lydia Chibambo says the agriculture sector should receive at least 10 percent of the national budget, in line with the Kampala Declaration.

Ms Chibambo says Zambia has in previous years allocated about six percent to agriculture, falling short of the 10 percent target.

She says increased funding should focus on practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and support local farmers, particularly small-scale farmers who play a central role in food production.

Ms Chibambo says Government should invest in farmer field schools, preservation of traditional seeds, soil restoration and water conservation, including rainwater harvesting.

She says strengthening agricultural production requires more than providing seeds, as farmers also need healthy soils and effective water management systems to withstand climate-related challenges.

Meanwhile, Youth WASH Ambassador Club Western Province Coordinator Kalomo Kalomo has called for an increase in funding to the water, sanitation and hygiene sector from the current one percent to at least five percent.

Mr Kalomo says access to water is essential for agricultural production, while proper sanitation and hygiene are necessary to protect communities from diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

He says increased investment in WASH infrastructure would improve public health, support livelihoods and create better conditions for young people and future generations.

Mr Kalomo says prioritising water, sanitation and hygiene is also important to the country's development ambitions, as communities cannot achieve sustainable progress without reliable access to these basic services.

ENDS