FAO and Zimbabwe pledge greater cooperation at Berlin forum to fight climate change and make farmers more competitive

17 January, Berlin – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Perence Shiri, pledged greater cooperation to fight climate change and action to make farmers more competitive at the 2020 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin today.

The Director-General thanked Zimbabwe for hosting the upcoming Africa regional conference in February and Minister Shiri commended FAO for its contribution to the country’s rural sector and efforts to support sustainable agricultural practices.

The Minister said Zimbabwe had benefited from FAO’s expertise in areas such as irrigation, forestry and coffee production and FAO was also contributing significantly to capacity development.

Drought has had a significant impact in the country and FAO is supporting the use of more drought tolerant grains, apiculture and Climate Smart Agriculture in the face of climate change.

FAO is also providing training for those fighting the spread of the devastating Fall Army Worm while offering support on land and investment policies designed to transform the food system.