Innovate to combat climate change: VP Chiwenga

GOVERNMENT has challenged young farmers to embrace and exploit innovation in combating effects of climate change induced challenges to agricultural production, as their ability to be inventive will have a telling effect on industrialisation and development towards an upper-middle income economy.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga made the call when he spoke at the 2023 National Young Farmers Awards in Harare yesterday.

These awards, now an annual event, were launched by President Mnangagwa in 2019 with the aim of recognising and awarding young farmers for their contribution in agricultural production and entrepreneurship.

This year’s event which had 50 winners ran under the theme ‘Food Security Everyday, Everywhere, Youth in Agriculture moving towards Vision 2030’ which resonates with Government’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.

Policies by Government to promote agriculture has seen the country remaining on-track to achieve food security, self-sufficiency, wheat self-sufficiency as well as nutrition security by 2025.

The quest for self-sufficiency in maize production saw overall output go up from 907 629 tonnes in 2020 to 2.7 million tons in 2021, well in excess of NDS 1 targeted levels of 1,8 million tonnes.

Government interventions towards drought proofing agriculture saw resilience in production during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 farming seasons, with 1,5 million tons and two million tonnes harvested, respectively.

“As we stride towards this vision, Government will continue to empower and encourage youth mainstreaming to ensure they contribute meaningfully to the growth and prosperity of our agricultural industry,” said VP Chiwenga.

“It is worth noting that youth in agriculture play a significant role in enhancing food and nutrition security through increased agricultural production.

“The challenge of climate change, Covid-19 and the conflict in Eastern Europe has prompted Government to come up with new strategies to ensure food security and nutrition at household level and also produce surpluses towards regional and international food security.

“I implore upon other youth to take advantage of vast opportunities within the agriculture sector to empower yourselves, and equip yourselves with new skills and knowledge especially now when the country is grappling from devastating effects of climate change. Full story on: www.herald.co.zw