CLIMATE resilient crops is a solution that the Ministry of Agriculture is exploring as climate events continue to threaten the sector.
While presenting the ministry’s 2021-2022 Annual Report before the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Sugar Industry permanent secretary Dr Andrew Tukana said events such as the current super El Nino was a major concern.
“We have all heard about the El Nino that is starting to impact us, and drought is a major concern for all of us,” he said.
“Climate change is no longer a future consideration.
“The industry is already experiencing flooding, water logging, saltwater intrusions, cyclones and periods of drought.”
He said their work needed to move from responding to climate disasters to being prepared for them.
“This means we have to have drought tolerant varieties for crops not only for sugar but also other crops as well.
“We have to have better water management, better drainage, soil moisture conservation practices incorporated into our practices, improved agronomic practices, more crop diversification and importantly we have to have better early warning systems.”
