Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
ZIMBABWE is among African countries set to benefit from a US$76 million investment in agricultural research and capacity development.
Australia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Minoli Perera says the fund will support Zimbabwe and other African countries’ response to climate change.
She was speaking ahead of Australia Day, which falls on the 26th of January.
“Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world. Climate change is presenting new and growing challenges. It is stressing our traditional ways of operating. It brings real risk to our economic prosperity and forces us to be more innovative,” said the Ambassador.
“It is a challenge we share with Zimbabwe. But beyond the challenges, we can also share in the solution. So I am pleased Australian experts are being deployed to bolster the ability of Zimbabwe, and Africa more generally, to withstand the escalating impacts of climate change and combat food insecurity through a new Africa-Australia partnership for climate-responsive agriculture.
“To be delivered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, ACIA, this programme includes a new US$76.4 million investment in agricultural research and capacity development. ACIA has a long and strong track record in Zimbabwe, developed over years of support for practical agricultural research.”
The diplomat went on to congratulate Zimbabwe on the abolishment of the death penalty by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“I am therefore particularly pleased to use this occasion to extend Australia’s heartiest congratulations to Zimbabwe for the abolishment of the death penalty. This is a truly historic achievement and it’s evidence that meaningful progress can be made for the good of all.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira applauded the engagements between Harare and Canberra in a diverse number of sectors amid hopes to deepen economic cooperation.
“In agriculture, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is collaborating with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to enhance climate resilience on Zimbabwean farms by improving access to small-scale mechanisation.
“The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is also supporting Zimbabwe’s Livelihoods and Food Security Programme (Pfumvudza/ Intwasa), which promotes sustainable agricultural practices aimed at increasing productivity and reducing labour constraints. Additionally, the Research is also implementing the Virtual Irrigation Academy to assist smallholder farmers with water management, thereby boosting their climate resilience, and strengthening their livelihoods.
“Zimbabwe is satisfied with the Embassy’s continued facilitation of our country’s participation at Africa Down Under Mining Conferences held annually in Australia. The event has provided an important platform for us to strategize on how to develop our mining sector and to identify available market opportunities.”
A total of 12 projects have been implemented under the Australian NGO Cooperation Programme and 18 under the embassy’s Direct Aid Programme to support vulnerable communities in access to water, sanitation, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, disability inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods, all critical areas under Government’s National Development Strategy One.
