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Elton Manguwo
THE Government’s quest to climate-proof agriculture will soon change complexion with the European Union (EU) set to extend a 207 million euros funding facility in line with the current global push to boost agricultural productivity and boost food security.

Speaking during the launch of the Team Europe Initiative on Greener and Climate-Smart Agriculture (TEI – CSA) held in Harare recently, EU ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann said the initiative, which involves all EU member states would contribute over 207 million euros in support of the Government of Zimbabwe’s strategy to build a more productive, resilient and greener agricultural sector.

“The contribution will attend to food security concerns and help vulnerable communities to be more resilient in the face of drought, which has remained common priority that Zimbabwe and the EU share,” said Von Kirchmann.

In addition, the TEI – CSA supports the ongoing and upcoming interventions that look to increase sustainable and climate-smart agricultural production in Zimbabwe while helping vulnerable communities overcome climate related challenges. “Farmers will benefit directly from diverse systems that utilise crops resilient to pests, diseases, drought and climate-smart practices that work to reduce their inputs while lowering emissions,” said Von Kirchmann.

More so, this development comes on the backdrop of the Government’s various strategies to promote precision agriculture, which seeks to boost the full utilisation of available resources.

The launch of this initiative marks the beginning of a policy dialogue on climate smart agricultural solutions between the Government of Zimbabwe and the European ambassadors who have joined forces under the Team Europe Initiative.

“Team Europe, which includes Sweden, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Switzerland is fully committed to support the achievement of shared goals,” said ambassador Von Kirchmann.

The Government embraced climate smart agriculture in the 2020/21 season through the Presidential Climate Proof Input Scheme dubbed Pfumvudza/Intwasa. According to the latest Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report (CLAFA) the communal sector contributed the largest area under maize at 62 percent with 3, 5 million households under the Presidential input scheme, up from the previous season’s 2, 5 million.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Dr John Basera said Pfumvudza as the Government’s flagship programme on conservation agriculture sought to support the country’s food systems in withstanding the extremes of climate change to ensure food security for the nation.

Following a presentation from the EU delegation on how the 207 million euros equivalent to US$250 million would complement Government efforts on agriculture research, Dr Basera explained that the facility would push the country towards more sustainable agricultural production methods.

“The research pillar will guide the country’s efforts by providing a platform for innovation and development, building resilience around primary production,” he said.