BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Minister Franklyn Derek Wasi said that his ministry is exploring strategies to implement climate-smart agriculture in light of the climate change era.
Speaking on the floor of parliament last week Minister Wasi said that with rising sea levels and the adverse effects of climate change, agriculture must evolve to become resilient against all these shocks.
“The ministry is therefore exploring strategies with its partners to implement climate-smart agriculture to improve access to nutritious diet in our rural communities. This includes encouraging our youths to venture into agribusiness,’’ he said.
He also said that since ethnic tension, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has been without a research centre which has greatly hampered the Ministry’s efficiency in providing up-to-date relevant information and techniques on farming practices.
“The intention now is to redevelop our agricultural research centre to be fully equipped with facilities for field research work on farm mechanisation, high-value crops, table food crops, fruit crops, spices, new emerging crops and fruit trees, and improve livestock genetic resources and downstream processing and value-adding technologies to boost production for both local consumption and export markets,’’ said Wasi.
Minister Wasi said that as our development and growth continue to expand, the country’s agricultural sector become more susceptible to introducing pests and diseases.
“Therefore, securing our flora and fauna against invasive alien species and facilitating access to new markets is a top priority for the ministry,’’ he said.
He said that to successfully implement these priorities, the ministry needs strong support from all our partners and important stakeholders, including resource and landowners, investors, donor partners, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, farmers, private enterprises, financial institutes, service providers and land ministries,’’ he said.
