Muifha Tshifhiwa
Desertification and drought are global problems. Human activities ranging from over-cropping, over-grazing, improper irrigation, deforestation, and poor land management, are huge contributing factors to desertification. These activities have made some of the earth’s surface or land no longer productive. The loss of more and more productive land causes serious problems – resulting in biodiversity loss, creating irreversible damage to land, and affecting food and daily lives.
World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation and desertification should be avoided and recovered through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels.
Various stakeholders comprise of community leaders, traditional authorities, farmers and officials from other sector departments at The Healing Pentecostal Church, Ha-Nesengani, Vuwani to jointly find ways in mitigating the risk of desertifcation on the planet.
However, the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) in Vhembe District led the public participation in a bid to heighten the public awareness in combating desertification and the effects of drought, which was held at The Healing Pentecostal Church in Vuwani, Ha-Nesengani.
This is in addition to preventing desertification and recovering from drought and to strengthen the implementation of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification.
In his address, Masindi Mariba, Vhembe District Acting Director indicated that climate change is fast becoming another threat to land and environment resulting with dire impact on agricultural productivity, hence food security.
“Conservation Agriculture remains one of the remedies to Desertification and Drought. It is an approach to manage agro-systems for improved and sustained productivity”, said Humbulani Netshivhodza. His presentation advocates not only the Climate Smart Agriculture as another solution which aims at ensuring food security in a changing climate but highlighted the best agricultural practices such as minimum soil disturbance, maximum soil cover and crop rotation.
Mariba explained further that self-commitment towards land restoration is a priority to protect mother nature. An assertion that was acknowledged by Matsobane Selemela, Director in Natural Resources Management (NRM) that though some desertification causes can be natural and beyond human capability, deforestation, overgrazing, farming practices and urbanization can be controlled and addressed, so that people should start enjoying the benefits of a productive land.
Poetic Tshinakaho Manenzhe entertains the audience
Selemela reflected on this year’s theme, “Her land, Her Rights”, that women confront tremendous obstacles in obtaining land rights anywhere in the world, which limits their capacity to flourish and succeed. Vhembe District Acting Executive Mayor Cllr Maria Mamedzi encouraged women to take advantage of the opportunities before them and ensure that the district is food secured. “Women of today have taken a stand against poverty, hunger, and unemployment. We implore you to do more because your land is your right”.
The World Day to combat Desertification and Drought is observed on the 17th June of each year. The United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) had made this declaration since 1994 with the aim to raise public awareness worldwide in combating desertification and the effects of drought.
Vhembe District Acting Director Masindi Mariba indicates in his address that climate change is fast becoming another threat to land and environment resulting with dire impact on agricultural productivity, hence food security.
