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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT working with its partners continues to roll out climate change mitigation and adaption strategies, among them is promotion of goat rearing in Matabeleland South.
Speaking during a tour of projects being implemented under the Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Africa programme Department of
said the Government is also working on developing traditional grains production in the province.
The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in partnership with Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
It started in June 2020, is valued at US$47,8 million and will run up to June 2027.
The project is being implemented in 14 districts in three provinces.
In Matabeleland South it is being implemented in Umzingwane, Mangwe, Insiza, Matobo, Gwanda and Beitbridge.
“Climate change is real and it’s severely affecting communities. As Government we have attacked the challenge from both ends that’s through adaptation and mitigation. In terms of adaption, the biggest thing you can do in agriculture is to ensure that water systems are available because water is a key driver in agriculture. Your crops and livestock need water, hence production in agriculture is centred on water. Most of the investments that the Government is doing through its partnerships and its public sector investment programmes are targeted at irrigation. Development of irrigations requires development of water infrastructure and also ensuring improved water supply,” he said
Mr Zimhunga said as part of mitigation efforts Government working with its partner to utilise renewable energy to ensure an undisrupted water supply. He said unreliable energy supply affects production.
Mr Zimhunga said another mitigation strategy being implemented was to ensure that farmers grow crops and keep livestock that is adapted to their agro-ecological region.
“That’s why when it comes to the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme we have been encouraging farmers to grow crops that are suitable for the specific agro-ecological region. For example here in Matabeleland South, farmers are encouraged to grow traditional grains.
“In this region, goats are one of the most adaptable animals and that is why we are promoting goat production in this area. This whole plethora ought to be an integrated approach. Government working with its partners is making efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change by capacitating farmers through information dissemination and resources,” he said.
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