Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe is modernising and scaling up deployment of mechanisation and smart agriculture practices as the country continues on a path to boost food security.

He was addressing leaders at the Italy-Africa Summit in Rome this Monday.

The President said the country continues to make notable strides towards food security, revealing that since 2020, government has spent US$2 billion in water infrastructure, including construction of dams and development of irrigation infrastructure.

“In view of the ever-looming threats of the El Nino phenomenon, Zimbabwe continues to strengthen early warning systems and drought preparedness. Our strategy is expanding climate-resilient infrastructure development and sustainable water resources development and management. This has led to my government constructing dams across all our provinces as well as drilling boreholes in each of our country’s villages. Since 2020, my government has invested over US$2 billion in water infrastructure, such as dams and reservoirs. Irrigation development and rehabilitation is ongoing,” he said.

The Head of State also outlined how Zimbabwe is promoting agro-ecological tailoring of crop production, with emphasis on drought resistant crop varieties.

“Agro-ecological tailoring of crop production is being promoted. This entails emphasising drought-resistant crop varieties, implementing water-efficient irrigation systems and providing farmers with timely information and resources to adapt their practices to changing weather patterns.”

As the African leaders met with the Italian government officials and different institutions from the European Union, President Mnangagwa spoke on the need for a comprehensive approach in tackling food security on the African continent.

“In order to attain a food secure world, it is imperative that Africa must be food secure first. Addressing food insecurity, particularly on the African continent, is key to unlocking socio-political stability and ensuring sustainable economic growth and prosperity,” noted the President.

The summit, which saw Italy present its plan to work with Africa, is being attended by over 20 African countries.