The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has commended Zimbabwe for its significant progress in enhancing environmental sustainability through the implementation of the ACP-MEAS 3 project. This European Union-funded initiative aims to strengthen environmental governance and implement Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in the country.
Under this project, Zimbabwe has made strides in policy development, sustainable agriculture research and development, mitigation of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), and promotion of ecosystems-based agricultural practices through farmer field schools. The country has drafted key policy documents such as agrobiodiversity frameworks and animal genetic resources strategies, which have been reviewed and updated.
The FAO has provided technical support in reviewing the Zimbabwe Agricultural Investment Policy and establishing Provincial Agricultural Investment Policies (PAIPs) to promote agrobiodiversity and sound management of pesticides. The final draft policy documents are now ready for review and approval, with the aim of launching them this year.
Additionally, the ACP-MEAS 3 project has conducted studies on various themes, including the impact of pesticides on pollinators and livestock, antimicrobial resistance, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Farmer field schools have been established to promote ecosystem-based agricultural practices, leading to early crop establishment despite poor rainfall seasons.
Stakeholders have called for the government to provide viable alternatives to reduce the use and impact of HHPs, with a focus on promoting bio-pesticides. They also emphasized the importance of securing government approval for the final draft policies and developing communication products to disseminate project outputs to all relevant stakeholders.
Overall, Zimbabwe’s efforts in sustainable agriculture practices serve as a model for other countries in Southern Africa, highlighting the importance of collaboration and collective action in transforming agri-food systems towards environmental sustainability.