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Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
Stakeholders in the agriculture industry are working on establishing a manual to guide extension officers in assisting farmers with sustainable solutions to climate change issues. This follows a realisation that the current agriculture syllabus at colleges and universities did not address climate change issues, mitigation and adaptation and therefore needed to be aligned to current and future issues affecting the industry.

Participants who attended the First National Stakeholders Consultation on the Development of Smart Agriculture Manual for university and professional level Agriculture in Harare yesterday agreed that extension officers should be equipped with knowledge on climate change so they can assist farmers effectively.

Officiating at the consultative workshop, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate Mr Prince Mupazviriho said there was limited climate change education and practical approaches among extension officers providing assistance to resettled farmers.

“There is also an urgent need to generate new forms of knowledge, technologies and agricultural support services that meet emerging development challenges arising from increased climate change and variability.

“Farmers lack adequate knowledge and training on climate change let alone Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and sustainable environmental management practices which further increases their vulnerability and risk to the impacts of climate change.”

The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development permanent secretary, Mr Ringson Chitsiko said it was important to take note of sustainable use of land and natural resources.