INFORMATION is key in strengthening communities’ resilience against natural and man-made shocks, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s deputy representative in Zimbabwe Louis Muhigirwa has said.
In an interview with NewsDay at the just-ended Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Muhigirwa said climate change had left communities vulnerable, with many facing starvation, while flash floods and cyclones had disrupted livelihoods and claimed lives.
“(FAO)’s 2022-2026 programming will focus on inclusive food systems, strengthening community resilience against shocks and promoting sustainable and responsible use of natural resources to achieve improved agricultural production, better nutritional outcomes and hence better livelihoods,” Muhigirwa said.
“We understand that our communities have been resilient for years, in the face of various shocks, and they have had various ways of countering them. Our programmes seek to build on such community-led resilience systems and support them with scientific knowledge and technologies for better community resilience.”
Climate change has seen floods destroying infrastructure in parts of Manicaland province in the past years.
Erratic rains have also affected small-holder farmers dependent on rain-fed agriculture.
“As our flagship project is aptly called, ‘hand-in-hand’, we work with communities, other development partners, support government programmes and capacitate community service providers like extension officers to promote sustainable community resilience,” Muhigirwa added.
FAO is increasing its support in the country to capacitate communities in pre-production and post-harvest storage, handling and marketing of crops.
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