Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE recently hosted a training event that was organised by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa (FAO-RAF), thereby solidifying the nation’s commitment to capacity building, regional growth and knowledge sharing.
The two-week session brought together 130 participants from 47 FAO country offices, focusing on enhancing project management, operations and cross-functional teamwork.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event in Harare on Thursday, FAO sub-regional coordinator for Southern Africa Dr Patrice Talla emphasised FAO’s dedication to capacity building.
“It is never too much to invest in people, and that is why we should do that in collaboration with the Government,” said Dr Talla.
He revealed plans to make the training a biennial event, thereby demonstrating a long-term commitment to empowering individuals and fostering a collaborative network of experts.
The Harare training focused on enhancing project management, operations and cross-functional teamwork.
A key component was the sharing of successful field experiences, including a collaborative project in Matabeleland South.
This initiative, involving the Government, FAO, UNICEF and the European Union, focused on improving farming practices, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and nutrition education.
Dr Talla detailed the Farmer Field School approach, where lead farmers were trained and then tasked with sharing their knowledge with other farmers.
FAO is further bolstering regional collaboration through the establishment of taskforces and technical coordination units within its Southern Africa sub-regional office.
“By hosting this impactful training event, Zimbabwe has demonstrated its commitment to regional development and its recognition of the crucial role human capital plays in achieving food security and sustainable agriculture across Africa,” Dr Talla added.
Online Reporter