Mellisa Mutasa Herald Reporter
Agriculture experts have urged farmers to practise climate-friendly activities that contribute to sustainable food security in the country and prevent global warming, which leads to droughts.

The experts said some farming activities such as cutting down of trees and the use of fire to clear land were among the major contributors of climate change as they have negative effects on global warming.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president, Mr Wonder Chabikwa advised farmers to embrace afforestation and avoid starting veld fires for the benefit of the agricultural production.

“Some farmers cut down trees without replanting them for the purposes of curing their tobacco and this leads to desertification.

“Farmers should stop cutting down trees and starting veld fires as these activities lead to climate change. Tobacco farmers should make use of their woodlots that they are setting up themselves.
“Reforestation should be practiced and cutting down of trees should stop because forests contribute positively to the climate, “he said.

Mr Ivan Craig said that deforestation was contributing immensely to climate change.
“Deforestation contributes immensely to climate change. The seasons are now changing because of the negative effects that the cutting down of trees and lighting of veld fires have on global warm- ing.

“These activities contribute to change of seasons, leading to droughts. Farmers should begin planting trees monthly for the benefit of our agro-based economy. We would appreciate it if an individual plants at least 12 trees per year to preserve our climate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government has mobilised support towards enhancing the dissemination of climate smart practices, strategies and technologies that would assist in both climate change mitigation and adaptation across all economic sectors.
In this regard it has roped in its agricultural colleges to play a pivotal role in disseminating information.

A train-the-trainer workshop on climate-smart agriculture was held in Harare recently, with the aim of assisting the agriculture community in Zimbabwe, through information on the best practices and latest knowledge and technologies on climate change and agricultural productivity.

The Secretary for Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Ambassador Grace Mutandiro in a speech read on her behalf said that the knowledge will be used to sustainably increase agricultural productivity in the country.

“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement is very much active in the implementation of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN’s) Technical Assistance.

“One of the aims of the technical assistance is to encourage the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices, enhanced sustainable food production practices and reduction of greenhouse gases.

“We are all expected to play our roles well, in teaching in our colleges, provision of extension support, coordinating agriculture and climate change activities in our areas and colleges, and working within the broader vision of food security, sustainable development, and climate resilience, as spearheaded by the leadership in our country, through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement,” read the speech.

Farmers were further advised to take into account climate change impact and how to practice agriculture guided by production, climate change mitigation and adaptation.