The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has received cutting-edge meteorological weather and hydrological equipment from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The equipment will support Zimbabwe’s effort to increase its resilience in the wake of climate change, which is affecting agricultural productivity.
A consignment of 26 automated weather stations, 10 automatic rainfall stations and 10 real-time gauging stations – valued at US$550 000 – was handed over during a ceremony in Harare on Friday.
The Meteorological Service Department (MSD) and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) will use the equipment.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera said building climate resilience is vital.
“Early warning systems, supported by such infrastructure, are paramount not only in emergencies, allowing timely responses to extreme weather events, but also in long-term climatic monitoring and risk-informed development,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by chief director for strategic planning and business development in the ministry, Mr Clemence Bwenje.
Handing over the consignment, UNDP Resident Representative Ms Mia Seppo (represented by her deputy, Mr Elliman Jagne) said: “We are positive that the equipment will be used to improve evidence generation and utilisation within the relevant departments for informed resilience-related policy decisions.
“This is aimed to address the adverse impacts of climate extremes against the ever-looming threat of climate change and to improve early warning in support of timely decisions that can contribute to saving lives and property,” she said.
