Zimbabwe Agriculture Society chief executive officer, Anxious Masuka

ZIMBABWE has been urged to adopt green technologies as a way of boosting agriculture production and reduce the impact of climate change.
Green technologies have the potential to steer agriculture along a sustainable path, and at the same time contribute to the advancement of economic and efficient production of safe and high-quality food.
Agriculture experts said these innovative technologies can also help small-scale farmers increase their income through high-value marketable farm produce and viable farm enterprises and promote sustainable production methods to prevent harm to human health and the environment.
This comes as Zimbabwe’s agro-based economy has been experiencing devastating droughts in the past few years, bringing with them misery and prolonged poverty in many communal areas.
Zimbabwe Agricultural Society chief executive officer Anxious Masuka said despite the clear benefits of climate smart agriculture to improved production and productivity, there has not been wholesome acceptance of this practice in the southern African country due to perceived expenses associated with the initial costs of adopting these practices and technologies.
“There are many clear advantages for uplifting rural agriculture from subsistence farming to semi and commercial agriculture on a more sustainable basis, from using green technologies in production practices in soil conservation and agronomy, moisture conservation, irrigation technology, harvesting and processing and in grain storage,” he said.
Masuka noted that adopting green technologies does not only improve the health of workers and farmers, but is also good for the environment.
“At the large scale commercial agriculture level, conservation agriculture technologies, can be used to ensure better management of the physical, chemical and biological components of the soil, leading to sustained production with reduced soil loss from erosion, while building organic matter or improved productivity.
“With abundant solar energy, whose upfront costs are going down because of advances in technology, Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean agriculture are poised to benefit from the many green technologies,” he added.
The latest development comes at a time when technology is expected to disrupt and transform Africa’s agriculture sector.
Agriculture has a significant role in Africa as it employs 65 percent of the work force and contributes 32 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank.
Similarly, approximately 70 percent of Africa’s population depend directly on agriculture for their livelihood.
However, the African agricultural industry is currently facing a number of problems with low productivity. This has been compounded by climate change, a lack of technical expertise and the migration of young people away from rural areas to the cities.
Africa is currently experiencing a rapid growth in population, with estimates suggesting that by 2050, Africa’s population will reach 2,2 billion.
The ability of African farmers to increase productivity is critical in order to provide food and economic growth to support its growing population.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) predicts that the agricultural market in sub-Saharan Africa alone will grow from $200 billion in 2015 to $1 trillion by 2030. This equates to a fivefold growth.
Entrepreneurs in Africa are increasingly seeing opportunities in the agricultural sector and are developing solutions that enable farmers to increase their yields and access markets.
Globally, agricultural tech start-ups raised $800 million in the last five years.
Investors have also recognised the potential of Africa’s agricultural industry as there is potential to reach a large market.
According to Disrupt Africa’s recently released African Tech Start-ups Funding Report 2017, agri-tech start-ups received $13,2 million in funding last year, the fourth largest of any sector.
This was an increase of 203 percent from 2016. The rapid growth of agri-tech business in Africa is demonstrated by the increase of over 13 million in funding since just 2015, where funding was $50 000.
In recent years, technology such as cloud computing, open-source software and digital tools have become increasingly affordable and accessible to farmers. The market is changing as entrepreneurs can provide solutions to small holder farmers at affordable prices.
Technological developments in such areas as aerial imagery from drones or satellites, weather forecasts and soil sensors are making it easier for farmers to manage their crops in real time.
In addition, financial solutions are evolving to connect small holder farmers with credit, financial institutions and greater market access.
Technological advancements in agriculture provide vast potential for farmers, entrepreneurs and investors to improve the productivity and efficiency of agriculture in Africa at a time when numerous factors, such as population growth and climate change, threaten food security.
[email protected]

Zimbabwe Agriculture Society chief executive officer, Anxious Masuka

ZIMBABWE has been urged to adopt green technologies as a way of boosting agriculture production and reduce the impact of climate change.
Green technologies have the potential to steer agriculture along a sustainable path, and at the same time contribute to the advancement of economic and efficient production of safe and high-quality food.
Agriculture experts said these innovative technologies can also help small-scale farmers increase their income through high-value marketable farm produce and viable farm enterprises and promote sustainable production methods to prevent harm to human health and the environment.
This comes as Zimbabwe’s agro-based economy has been experiencing devastating droughts in the past few years, bringing with them misery and prolonged poverty in many communal areas.
Zimbabwe Agricultural Society chief executive officer Anxious Masuka said despite the clear benefits of climate smart agriculture to improved production and productivity, there has not been wholesome acceptance of this practice in the southern African country due to perceived expenses associated with the initial costs of adopting these practices and technologies.
“There are many clear advantages for uplifting rural agriculture from subsistence farming to semi and commercial agriculture on a more sustainable basis, from using green technologies in production practices in soil conservation and agronomy, moisture conservation, irrigation technology, harvesting and processing and in grain storage,” he said.
Masuka noted that adopting green technologies does not only improve the health of workers and farmers, but is also good for the environment.
“At the large scale commercial agriculture level, conservation agriculture technologies, can be used to ensure better management of the physical, chemical and biological components of the soil, leading to sustained production with reduced soil loss from erosion, while building organic matter or improved productivity.
“With abundant solar energy, whose upfront costs are going down because of advances in technology, Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean agriculture are poised to benefit from the many green technologies,” he added.
The latest development comes at a time when technology is expected to disrupt and transform Africa’s agriculture sector.
Agriculture has a significant role in Africa as it employs 65 percent of the work force and contributes 32 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank.
Similarly, approximately 70 percent of Africa’s population depend directly on agriculture for their livelihood.
However, the African agricultural industry is currently facing a number of problems with low productivity. This has been compounded by climate change, a lack of technical expertise and the migration of young people away from rural areas to the cities.
Africa is currently experiencing a rapid growth in population, with estimates suggesting that by 2050, Africa’s population will reach 2,2 billion.
The ability of African farmers to increase productivity is critical in order to provide food and economic growth to support its growing population.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) predicts that the agricultural market in sub-Saharan Africa alone will grow from $200 billion in 2015 to $1 trillion by 2030. This equates to a fivefold growth.
Entrepreneurs in Africa are increasingly seeing opportunities in the agricultural sector and are developing solutions that enable farmers to increase their yields and access markets.
Globally, agricultural tech start-ups raised $800 million in the last five years.
Investors have also recognised the potential of Africa’s agricultural industry as there is potential to reach a large market.
According to Disrupt Africa’s recently released African Tech Start-ups Funding Report 2017, agri-tech start-ups received $13,2 million in funding last year, the fourth largest of any sector.
This was an increase of 203 percent from 2016. The rapid growth of agri-tech business in Africa is demonstrated by the increase of over 13 million in funding since just 2015, where funding was $50 000.
In recent years, technology such as cloud computing, open-source software and digital tools have become increasingly affordable and accessible to farmers. The market is changing as entrepreneurs can provide solutions to small holder farmers at affordable prices.
Technological developments in such areas as aerial imagery from drones or satellites, weather forecasts and soil sensors are making it easier for farmers to manage their crops in real time.
In addition, financial solutions are evolving to connect small holder farmers with credit, financial institutions and greater market access.
Technological advancements in agriculture provide vast potential for farmers, entrepreneurs and investors to improve the productivity and efficiency of agriculture in Africa at a time when numerous factors, such as population growth and climate change, threaten food security.
[email protected]