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ZIMBABWE needs to invest extensively in methodologies and technologies aimed at averting the effects of climate change so as to boost its food security, an agricultural expert said. In an interview with Sunday Business last week, former Zambian Cabinet minister and chairman of the Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ReNAPRI), Mr Chance Kabaghe said the country needed to expedite measures aimed at combating the effects of climate change to reclaim its status as the bread basket of the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) region.
“Africa and indeed the whole world are worried about climate change and unfortunately Zimbabwe is at the centre of it. The drought that the country is currently having is just partial as there is a possibility of having a worse drought. If mechanisms are not put in place the country will soon face worse calamities,” Mr Kabaghe said.
The Zambian government had to set up an inter-ministerial taskforce comprising ministries of agriculture, industry and commerce, environment and tourism to strategise and lobby for financial support from both the public and private sectors to curb the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector and value chain actors.
The agricultural expert said there was a need for Government to engage and support agricultural stakeholders especially seed companies to breed seed varieties suitable for different agrological soils in this country.
Mr Kabaghe said it was important for Government to encourage farmers in areas with low rainfall to engage in the cropping of early maturing seed varieties so as to obtain optimum yields as well as promoting a culture of crop diversification.
“Of course maize is the staple food for Zimbabwe and the Sadc region but the challenges presented by climate change over the years demands that our nations resort back to traditional drought resistant crops such as millet, rapoko and sorghum,” he said.
Mr Kabaghe also urged Government to invest in the construction of more dams for water harvesting purposes as depending on rain had proved to be futile due to the effects of climate change.
He, however, commended Government for its efforts in developing and reviving irrigation schemes.
The Government recently secured $30 million from a $98,6 million loan facility from Brazil to import agricultural equipment from that country, which is expected to boost irrigation capacity in low rainfall areas such as Masvingo and Matabeleland.
“All that is needed for Zimbabwe is to unveil funds for research and development, otherwise it is the only country in the region which has necessary manpower to keep climate change in check,” the agricultural expert said.
He urged Government to put aside a significant budget towards climate change every year.
He also spoke highly of Zimbabwean seed companies and said with support from Government they were likely to usher in a new agrarian revolution in the country and beyond.
“SeedCo is actually playing a significant role in the development of agriculture in Zambia where its seed varieties are highly in demand,” Mr Kabaghe said.
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