Harare — THE decline in Zimbabwe's crop production should not be attributed solely to the country's land reform programme, but also to climatic changes, a British Council official has said.

Speaking at a media training workshop on climate change and the environment, British Council deputy director Mr Ignatius Mabasa said the decline was a global phenomenon.

"We know all people are looking at Zimbabwe as the bread basket of southern Africa that is no longer producing enough for its people," he said.

"But the decline in crop production in Zimbabwe is not only because of the land reform programme, but (we should) also look at the issue of the climate."

Addressing the same workshop, a Unesco And Climate Council official, Dr Marcel Tchaou said there was need for "a paradigm shift" for the world to combat the effects of climate change.

"People are still saying climate change is not real, some are petitioning governments for it to be declared a hoax," he said.