The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says it has intensified field assessments across Zimbabwe to evaluate the impact of improved soil management interventions being implemented under the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme.
In a statement yesterday, FAO Zimbabwe said field teams are currently monitoring harvests and engaging farmers in various communities to assess how sustainable soil management practices are improving crop yields and livelihoods.
“With support from the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme, field teams are monitoring harvests and engaging farmers to assess the impact of improved soil management interventions and gathering recommendations to strengthen support to farming communities further.
The ongoing assessments are designed to measure the effectiveness of conservation agriculture techniques, soil fertility enhancement programmes and climate-smart farming practices introduced under the partnership,”added FAO Zimbabwe
FAO Zimbabwe said direct engagement with farmers is also helping experts identify challenges affecting agricultural production while collecting community-driven recommendations for future interventions.
“The exercise is critical in understanding how farmers are benefiting from improved soil management technologies and determining what additional support is required to build resilient farming systems,” the organisation said.
According to FAO Zimbabwe, sustainable soil management has become increasingly important in addressing declining soil fertility, climate shocks and low agricultural productivity affecting many rural communities.
The organisation noted that the adoption of improved farming practices is helping farmers preserve soil moisture, reduce land degradation and increase crop output despite erratic weather conditions.
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“Healthy soils are essential for sustainable food production, environmental protection and improved rural livelihoods. Strengthening farmers’ knowledge and access to sustainable agricultural practices remains central to achieving long-term food security,” FAO Zimbabwe said.
The FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme has been supporting Zimbabwe through technical expertise, farmer training, mechanisation support and the introduction of modern agricultural technologies aimed at improving productivity among smallholder farmers.
FAO Zimbabwe said the latest field monitoring exercise would also assist policymakers and development partners in refining agricultural support programmes to better respond to the needs of farming communities.
“Farmer feedback remains important in shaping interventions that are practical, inclusive and responsive to local agricultural conditions,” the organisation noted.
The FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme promotes collaboration between developing countries through the sharing of agricultural knowledge, technologies and technical expertise to strengthen food systems and rural development.
The In Zimbabwe, the programme has supported initiatives targeting crop production, irrigation development, mechanisation and sustainable land management.
