Research to promote agricultural sustainability in Zimbabwe – FAO

Research to promote agricultural sustainability in Zimbabwe – FAO

As Zimbabwe continues to seek ways to maximize its agricultural production, agencies are calling for more research to help farmers adopt sustainable practices. In a recent update, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said sustainable agricultural practices will help promote agricultural biodiversity.

In a news conference, the FAO said nationwide investigations have been conducted into the emergence of new plant pests, poor agronomic practices, poisoning of pollinators and the death of livestock due to what the agency says are highly dangerous pesticides. It is common among farmers in Zimbabwe to use pesticides on crops in areas where livestock are also raised, resulting in the loss of valuable livestock and other animals.

Pesticides have been used near open water sources, further exposing people to harm. The FAO says these practices severely limit farmers’ efforts to achieve agricultural production targets so that the country can achieve sustainable development goals.

Zimbabwe has routinely struggled to meet its grain production targets despite pouring millions of dollars into the sector. Authorities have been criticized for not understanding the needs and challenges of smallholder farmers, resulting in the implementation of policies without proper research. The study, commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization between 2021 and 2023, aimed to “generate empirical evidence for creating and implementing agricultural policies and practices that integrate ecosystem-based agriculture and good pesticide management.”

It is part of a broader capacity building project covering African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP-MEAs 3) “which aims to promote agricultural practices and activities that promote the sustainability and resilience of agrobiodiversity and enhance associated agro-ecosystems,” says the FAO. The research focused on smallholder farmers, the impact of pesticides on livestock, and the barriers to the adoption of biopesticides, biofertilizers and other biological agents essential for environmental sustainability.

Zimbabwe has received fertilizers, machinery, grain and other agricultural products from countries such as Russia and Belarus in recent years.

However, the FAO study also noted that in order to implement the results, Zimbabwean agricultural colleges must shape their curricula to include sustainable agriculture, and that includes designing courses that include climate-smart, agroecological and organic farming practices. Zimbabwe has dozens of agricultural tertiary institutions that, however, struggle to determine the country’s agricultural production ambitions.

“Zimbabwe, like many other countries, has committed to several multilateral environmental agreements. To meet these obligations, the country must review the curricula and teaching methods of higher agricultural education institutions,” said Obert Maminimini, FAO National Project Coordinator.

“The aim is to integrate contemporary developments in sustainable agriculture, agroecology, climate-smart agriculture and organic farming,” Obert said at the launch of the report last month.

In recent years, ‘smart farming’ has become a buzzword in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Agriculture, but there is little to indicate improved self-sufficiency as the country continues to struggle to feed itself. Although the country has invested in agricultural extension workers as foot soldiers in the agricultural revolution information campaign, concerns remain that smallholder farmers are still clinging to old habits that are harmful to their crops, livestock and the environment.

It is common practice among farmers in Zimbabwe to use pesticides on crops in livestock farming areas, resulting in the loss of valuable livestock and other animals. (source: Pexels)

“The findings from these studies will be useful in mainstreaming biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem-based agricultural practices and policies in Zimbabwe,” said Dumisani Kutywayo, Principal Director of the Ministry of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Development. “These findings are in line with and provide the necessary impetus to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2020, as well as the Agricultural Policy Framework, and the Zimbabwe Food Systems and Rural Transformation Pathways,” Dumisani said at the launch in the capital. Harare last month.

Zimbabwe has received fertilizers, machinery, grain and other agricultural products from countries such as Russia and Belarus in recent years. However, research has shown that despite this generosity, other areas of agricultural research have been neglected, leading to a cycle of challenges that remain unresolved.

Zimbabwe has dozens of agricultural tertiary institutions that, however, struggle to determine the country’s agricultural production ambitions