Farmers Urged to Embrace Agroecology
AGRICULTURE minister Anxious Masuka has urged farmers to embrace agroecology, saying it mitigates the effects of climate change and promotes sustainable agriculture.
Agroecology, according to Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems.
It seeks to optimise the interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.
Speaking during a regional conference in Harare last week, Masuka said agroecology would help boost agriculture production.
“Agroecology practices like diversified cropping, integrated pest management, and soil conservation not only help mitigate the effects of climate change, but also promote sustainable, regenerative agriculture that supports healthy ecosystems and thriving rural communities,” he said.