Entumbane Community okays solar powered initiatives for food security

Entumbane Community okays solar powered initiatives for food security

The Entumbane leader has said that the Entumbane Community is working on increasing food security through purchasing of equipment needed for supplying water for irrigation purposes in the gardens.

Dingilizwe Tshuma during his address at a meeting with residents in the constituency yesterday said solar powered projects for the gardens is a sustainable development project that empowers communities to produce and supply to the available markets.
Tshuma said the solar powered borehole will make the irrigation process easier and communities will be able to provide for themselves. One resident stood up and said gardening in the past sustained his family as his parents could pay his school fees from the funds.

Households country wide are receiving maize after the president declared drought in the country, a move applauded by climate change specialists to be advanced by variations in weather patterns. In 2017, the farming season was affected by sporadic rainfall distribution leading to delayed farming season of grain.

"We want to build something out of nothing as a community," said Tshuma. "What is left for us now is to purchase batteries that will store energy to sustain the solar powered boreholes."

In an interview with the climate change director Washington Zhakata recently, the department is working with the ministry of mines to grant permission in Goromonzi for the mining of lithium for manufacture of solar powered batteries from within.

"Instead of us having to import lithium for our batteries we are waiting for the minister of mines and energy development to grant licenses so that we produce as a country," said Zhakata.

Cattle's lifespan is 4 years: LED Strategists say

SMALL-HOLDER farmers in Zimbabwe have been urged to adhere to the livestock management practices to reduce the emission of green-house gases that pollutes the air and ultimately destroying the ozone layer.

Speaking at an Agriculture and Forestry (AFOLU) sector stakeholder meeting, the livestock production sciences and health specialist Walter Svinurai urged cattle rearing farmers to ensure that they stick to the 54 month period of the cattle breeds for the benefit of protecting the environment from extremes of weather recorded this year including high temperatures and induced floods.

According to Svinurai, the lifespan of cattle should be reduced to four and a half years despite cultural practices of viewing livestock as a sign of wealth and respect in a society.

“At that age all animals with four legs will have matured,” said Svinurai. “Farmers are therefore advised to be managing the production for sustainable development, not the 10 years.”

Currently, the majority of small-holder farmers are Zimbabweans are based in the rural areas where cattle rearing is largely done in Matabeleland areas with low risk of diseases affecting breeds.

Svinurai added: “After that period, it’s an empty bag whose emissions are just not necessary, and causing land degradation in the grazing process.”

“Livestock production and productivity challenges remain a challenge in mitigating emissions in Zimbabwe as stipulated in the agriculture policy,” said Svinurai.

According to a 2010 baseline survey, the emissions from the livestock account for 44 percent in the agriculture sector, an amount that climate change specialists are working on implementing policies to project the mid-century low emission development strategy (LEDS) target.

2016 results from the TNC account for agriculture as the second largest emitter of green-house gases such as methane gas and nitrate oxide.

Some other sectors- such as energy, industry and waste sector- have become a target for the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases due to the economic dependence on these activities, the expert said.

Emissions are also accounted for in the health and mining sector all under the industry sector of the economy.

According to Svinurai, the industry emits 3,03 percent of methane gas 40.08 percent less than the agriculture sector.

TRADE IN FOREIGN CURRENCY VENTURES IN ZIMBABWE'S INFORMAL SECTOR

VENDORS in Bulawayo have launched a sell in forex campaign following economic challenges that have hit the country after the 2008 nationwide debut.

The economic challenges range from increase in prices in the market against a growing number of unemployed people.

Early this year, the prices of basic commodities rose up at a hundred percent margin with bread which was costing ninety cents (RTGS$) rising $2.50. Of late, cost of bread is pegged at RTGS$3.50.

The coordinator for the Bulawayo Vendor Trust Association (BVTA), Michael Ndiweni, confirmed that people in Bulawayo are selling bananas in the South African Rand and has urged the government to uphold sound policies for the informal traders.

“As BVTA we want to take drastic measures to address the currency, we are talking about over 95% involved in informal trade… Government must at least join the rand union,” said Ndiweni.

Residents who spoke to the press said vendors are justified in selling their products in foreign currency, chanting statements that people have been robbed for a prolonged time.

Maluleki Ndlovu said: “Those who have their own small businesses are charging consumers in the way they like. Outcry only comes from us who have nothing to offer on the business side.”

  

I've been making my way to the CBD for trade purposes so l can sustain my family and myself but of late l have to trade in the rand to build my home," said Khanyisile Sibindi.

Adaptation process to Climate Change Impacts launched in Zimbabwe

The Climate Change Department of Zimbabwe has launched a Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process set to run for three years in the country with a three million dollar value nationwide.

The process, according to a climate change scientist Emily Matingo, will entail vulnerability and assessment components, research and further build blocks needed for developing the adaptation plan with a participatory approach.

Similarly, UN task manager for the process said the project will benefit communities from grassroot level.

"The mandate will be given to the cabinet and parliament for endorsement while input will come from stakeholders in the country," Kouadio N'Goran, the Green Climate Fund NAP task manager from the United Nation.

The director for climate change department, Washington Zhakata, says the vision is in line with the country's 2030 vision.

"The department is demonstrating some of the projects namely the solar water pumping for sustainable gardens in Bulilima, and irrigation schemes in UMzingwane," said Zhakata.