GOVERNMENT has been commended for crafting vibrant agricultural transformation strategies aimed at ensuring food self-sufficiency at the time when the country is battling the effects of climatic change and COVID-19.
Speaking during a food security agricultural stakeholders breakfast meeting in Harare this Thursday, deputy minister of lands, agriculture, water and rural resettlement, Honourable Vangelis Haritatos thanked stakeholders for complementing government efforts in reviving the agricultural sector.
“Poor rainfall and droughts caused by factors such as ElNino and tropical cyclones contribute substantially to food insecurity. Climate change has clearly had a negative impact on agriculture. Little to no rainfall has been experienced in most parts of the country in recent years resulting in the low production of maize in Zimbabwe, however, the government has come up with strategies to transform the agricultural sector in a bid to ensure Foo self-sufficiency. Players in the agricultural sector should support government initiatives which are aimed at making the country food secure,” he said.
Stakeholders present underscored the importance of information technology in the monitoring of agricultural activities, especially in the wake of COVID-19.
Agriculture expert, Tawanda Mangisi hailed government for ensuring viability in the agricultural sector despite unfavourable climatic conditions.
“Government is doing a lot to make sure that there are Climate-friendly ways of farming. Drought has affected our normal agricultural activities but hats off to the government for implementing measures aimed at alleviating effects of climate change,” he said.
Government has come up with initiatives like the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme which seek to transform the agricultural sector and ensure food security, despite effects of climate change and COVID-19.
