Government intensifies climate proof agriculture, targets 700 000 hectares for small grains production

Banket – The government is strengthening efforts to climate-proof the agriculture sector from the effects of climate change through supporting initiatives towards increased production of small traditional grains.

The government has set a target of 700 000 hectares for traditional small grains under the Presidential Climate Proof Agriculture Scheme locally known as Pfumvudza/Intwasa.

This was revealed by Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Dr. John Basera during an interview on the sidelines of a wheat field day at Mema Estates in Banket.

“In a thrust to climate-proof the agriculture food sub-sector, we need to promote the production of traditional grains as well as the Agro-Ecological tailoring thrust where we are saying agriculture regions 3, 4, 5A and 5B should be strictly for small traditional grain production whilst Region 1 to 3 be strict for maize so that we adapt to climate change by adapting to climate-proof agriculture so that we create food security,” he said.

Dr. Basera said the agriculture sector is not spared from the effects of climate change and its vulnerabilities which calls for adaption.

He said the government will provide support for traditional small grains farmers targeting at least 700 000 hectares.

Dr. Basera also revealed that the government has already started preparations for the agriculture summer crop production with the distribution of inputs under the Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme already progressing where the government is targeting 2 million households in an effort to improve household food security.