In the face of climate change and its devastating impacts on agriculture, Zimbabwe’s youth are stepping up to drive sustainable farming practices.
In an interview with The Environment on the sidelines of a symposium held under the theme “Youth Empowerment for Climate Justice in Zimbabwe: Harnessing the Power of Agro-ecology for Climate Resilience in Zimbabwe during the El Nino season and beyond.” young farmers highlighted the economic repercussions of climate change on the youth.
Primrose Tunhuma, a young farmer, called for the need to invest into agroecological practices to mitigate challenges such as decreased crop yields and livestock losses. “Jobs in agriculture are affected. Livestock like chickens experience heat stress, leading to lower production. We need agroecological practices to guard against these challenges,” Tunhuma said.
Echoing Tunhuma’s sentiments, Odilo Linzi, Founder, and Director of Orleans Waste Management and Services, highlighted the importance of agroecology in preparing for climate change-induced eventualities. “In the face of climate change, there is a need for innovations against post-harvest losses. Having food processors can offset food waste and loss by drying fruits like mangoes and bananas using solar dryers,” Linzi said.
Melissa Takudzwa Murwira, Executive Director of Young Volunteers for the Environment, said there is need to involving young people in decision-making processes. “There is a need to be on the ground to have first-hand information. Involve young people in decision-making. There is a need for meaningful and active participation by making sure youth voices are incorporated into the legal framework and in budgeting. Land ownership is a challenge among the youth. A smaller percentage of the youth benefitted from the land reform programme. There should be a quota for women and youth,” said Murwira.
Marvellous Chimana, another young farmer, highlighted traditional farming techniques such as using tree leaves to combat pests and highlighting the need for collaboration among youth farmers. “In Mutoko, we use tree leaves to kill pesticides. We use ash and gum tree leaves and zumbani leaves against weevils. The market for chemically produced and organic produce is the same. As youth, we are appealing for support to be linked with markets for organic produce,” Chimana said.
These young farmers also advocated for sustainable agricultural practices such as water harvesting and initiatives like Pfumvudza as a way of combating climate change and ensuring food security in Zimbabwe.
