Story by Wellington Makonese

THE Pan African Parliament has committed to adopting new farming technologies and practices to combat climate change.

The world food programme estimates that at present 349 million people from across 79 countries are facing acute food shortages as a result of the inconsistent climatic patterns with Africa constituting the bigger chunk.

Delegates at the Pan African Parliament session being convened in Midrand noted that there is a need for the African continent to revisit farming practices to circumvent the effects of climate change.

“We have to rethink our agriculture systems practices by adapting more sustainable ways to increase efficiencies through innovations,” said the chairperson of the Pan African Parliament Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Honourable Didier Molisho Sadi.

With a predominantly rural population, investing in capacitating the constituency is equally critical in eradicating hunger.

“We need to improve infrastructure and risk insurance for farmers and create hubs, there is biotechnology and we also talk of smart farming, adapting to new ways, it goes beyond ourselves,” said the Pan African Parliament Ambassador on Food Security, Dr Kudzai Bryline Chitsunge.

Zimbabwe has made tremendous progress in food production through the agriculture recovery and growth plan and has also been implementing the climate-proof Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme that has helped the nation to surpass its grain targets.