daniel chigunwe
Mangaliso Lawrence Kabulika
TO get youths’ optimal participation and contribution to the current technological revolution sweeping through the agriculture sector, it is important to enhance their access to technologies such as drones and satellites that are crucial in the fight against climate change challenges, an expert has said.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) national youth secretary, Mr Joshua Zinzombe who recently attended the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week 2023 (ACS) in Kenya yesterday said sustainable agricultural practises such as Pfumvudza, satellite and drone usage, measuring carbon credits and biogas fertilisers could enhance the country’s productivity, as it battles to overcome climate change.
Mr Zinzombe said the use of renewable energy for income generating activities was among the key discussion topics at the ACS.
“Youths in agriculture must adopt renewable energy, which is being spearheaded to encourage the removal or reduction of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. New energy value chains such as solar irrigation, cold chains and bio-digesters are clean and renewable, which saves the environment,” said Mr Zinzombe.
He also explained the role of carbon credits as financial instruments: “There is a potential for carbon credits to contribute to the much needed finance towards climate projections across the continent. If a farmer plants trees, they can take in a lot of carbon and experts will come and calculate the carbon they would have absorbed with various carbon-producing companies paying the farmers.”
Furthermore, youths in agriculture must adopt water technologies, observed.
“As we are entering a new season, which may be affected by El Nino, there is need to use water sustainably. We have for example, hydroponics that involves growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. It can be used by small-scale farmers or commercial enterprises,” he said.
Mr Zinzombe also explained why it is important to include youths in agriculture in conversations regarding climate change.
“Young people are supposed to be the nucleus in all discussions regarding climate change. There should be a cross pollination of ideas between adults and youths in formulating climate smart polices, as they play a major role in coming up with climate smart innovations in agriculture,” he said.
Mr Zinzombe also shed light on how the National Climate Policy is being adopted by other African countries.
“The Second Republic implemented a policy which talks about issues to do with climate disasters, reducing carbon footprint and so forth. We have initiatives such as development of drip irrigation and Pfumvudza being adopted by other countries within Africa.
“Youths have the potential to change the agriculture sector if they are involved in these climate smart initiatives. There is also need for those in rural areas to participate in climate smart related projects such as bee keeping. There is an economic opportunity for a multi- billion-dollar agriculture sector in Africa if they all contribute,” he added.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development youths’ desk chief programmes coordinator, Mr Nickros Kajengo said through the Presidential mantra of leaving no place and no one behind, young people were now at the fore front of climate change discussions.
“Through the support of the Government, the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) and Environment Defence Fund (EDF), young people especially those in agriculture, are now at the fore front of climate change matters since agriculture contributes to our economy immensely.
“Climate smart agriculture can uplift youths through the creation of jobs, as researchers and innovators therefore they need to take it as noble profession,” he said.
Mr Kajengo also revealed that youth innovations would be showcased at the Cop28
“The nexus that exists between climate change and food security is inseparable. The Ministry is part of the Paris Agreement hence from the youth in agriculture perspective, guided by various parties to the COP, various innovations were identified and will be showcased at COP 28.
“Five youths were nominated by the Ministry to attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) rural innovation and transformation expo to be held this September in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” said Mr Kajengo.
Online Reporter