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Columbus Mabika Herald Reporter
Syngenta Zimbabwe has embarked on a nationwide training programme for agriculture extension workers on modern practices through workshops to boost agricultural production and foster regional food security.

Speaking during a workshop in Marondera at the weekend, Syngenta representative Mr Moses Kudanga said the training sought to fulfil the major aspiration of Vision 2030, that of food security and poverty alleviation

“The trainings Syngenta has embarked on nationwide are premised on the need to conscientise farmers nationwide on aspects of food security that we aspire to achieve under Vision 2030.

“We know that Government agricultural extension services have got a countrywide network in all the districts and provinces, each extension worker deals with at least 200 farmers and if the information is passed to extension workers, we are sure that it will quickly reach all farmers.

“That way we believe all matters related to agricultural development reach every corner of the country,” he said.

Mr Kudanga said the training sought to equip farmers with modern farming practices that they require in the face of climate change.

“As you know the world is being affected by climate change which is an aspect that requires all efforts to solve and deal with, in that vein extension workers are the immediate conduit to channel such issues to our farmers, hence the need to continue with such trainings,” he said

“Vision 2030’s quest for full, efficient and sustainable utilisation of land requires interventions to overcome some of the risks related to sustainable funding of agriculture, and reducing dependency on rain-fed agriculture, and vulnerability of changing climates hence the need to empower our farmers with such knowledge.”

Mr Kudanga said the attainment of food security and the creation of a middle income economy required an all-inclusive approach which includes addressing the needs of the marginalised farmers so that they may be part and parcel of national development and growth.

Mr Kudanga said agriculture extension work should not only be left to Government and encouraged other non-governmental organisations to copy what Syngenta has  done.

In addition, Mr Kudanga said the achievement of increased agricultural productivity naturally assumes reduction of food imports and the achievement of food self-sufficiency and food sovereignty.

Agriculture consultant Mr Joe Mkandla called on farmers to embrace smart agriculture, which include planting seeds designed to withstand drought conditions, extreme heat or cold to, use of herbicides and applying crop management concepts.

“As Syngenta, we are encouraging farmers to grow hybrid, drought-tolerant seeds for a better market and yields, Smart agriculture through adoption of new farming methods and technologies is the way to go in face of this climate change being experienced in contemporary times,” he said.