Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri says as a way of preparing against the looming global food crisis, the government is working on modalities to increase the number of agriculture extension officers for the 2022/2023 farming season.
Mr Phiri says this will help in scaling up climate resilience across food systems and is among the actions needed to counter rising hunger and malnutrition as farmers will be more informed on the best climate smart agricultural practices to undertake.
He tells Phoenix News in an interview that increasing the number of agricultural extension officers will address the current shortfall of such important workers and help the country to meet the food-security targets.
Mr Phiri is has also disclosed plans to invest in programmes that will enhance education in the sector and attract more young people to venture into agriculture and agro-related businesses.