The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare in MAZOWE
THE Government, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), is hosting a conference in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central province, for stakeholders in livestock production to come up with sustainable ways to minimise greenhouse gas emissions in farming.
Livestock is considered to be the major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Running under the theme “Scaling-up Climate Actions to Enhance Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Livestock System”, the three-day programme seeks to advance mitigation and adaptation efforts within the sector.
While giving his welcome remarks at the conference on Monday, director of the Livestock Research Department Mr Andrew Chamisa said climate change is one of the most pressing challenges that need collective efforts from stakeholders.
“The programme will support inter-institutional exchange and collaboration for climate action in livestock, identify options to reduce GHG (greenhouse gas emissions) from livestock systems and stock-take existing policies, strategies, action plans, initiatives and projects that support climate action in livestock systems,” he said.
“We are raising awareness about the role of livestock in climate change and enhancing knowledge to address climate actions in the livestock sector, including the importance of institutional arrangements, policies and data availability. We also identify needs for capacity development, knowledge transfer and climate finance opportunities. We identify challenges and opportunities for livestock.”
FAO representative-programmes assistant in Zimbabwe Ms Constance Pepukai said livestock production needs to be climate-smart as it constitutes a very important component of the agricultural economy of Zimbabwe.
Ms Constance Pepukai
“Despite its economic significance, the livestock sector can contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, if not managed sustainably.
“As we experience the changing climate, it is imperative that we enhance our efforts to make this sector more resilient, sustainable and less detrimental to the environment,” she said.
Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC) executive administrator Dr Chrispen Sukume hopes that recommendations from the ongoing conference will be sensitive to farmers whose lives are anchored on livestock production.
LMAC is the apex board that represents livestock farmers.
“We hope that after these consultations and deliberations, we expect and hope that resolutions will not be those that make farmers lose their livestock,” said Dr Sukume.
“Instead, we look forward to having alternative ways of livestock production that will keep our farmers in business while at the same time protecting our environment from greenhouse emissions.”
Participants include Government officials from line ministries, feed producers and farmers, among other stakeholders in the livestock sub-sector.
The aim of the programme is in line with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, which focuses on the transformation of the agri-food system through achieving four pillars — better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life.
Zimbabwe has set an ambitious target of reducing GHG emissions by 40 percent by 2030.
