Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) and the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) today jointly hosted the inaugural Research for Agricultural Excellence Indaba on the sidelines of the 2024 Agricultural Showcase.
The event served as a vital platform for engagement among academia, policymakers, Government ministries, departments, agencies, industry stakeholders, farmers, and other actors in the agriculture value chain and knowledge economy.
Held in line with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, the Indaba aimed to foster innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development in the country’s agricultural sector.
Acting President (Rtd) General Dr. ConstantinoChiwenga delivered a keynote address, reflecting on the importance of practical outcomes and sustained efforts to transform Zimbabwe’s agriculture.
“We wanted to come up with something tangible, and I’m happy that we have managed, now, going forward, you shall work 24/7 so that next year there is change, so that we can see that it is doable or not,” DrChiwenga remarked.
Dr. Chiwenga emphasized the need for efficient use of resources, mentioning Zimbabwe’s abundant water reservoirs.
“We have over 10,000 dams in Zimbabwe, and we shall continue to construct more and fully utilize them,we want Zimbabweans asking what shall we do with dams so that there is efficiency, the Government is committed to ensure that these water bodies are not left idle but instead are used to their maximum potential,for irrigation, fish farming, and other agricultural activities,” he said.
Addressing the theme of the Indaba, which focused on research and innovative solutions for sustainable agribusiness development, Dr. Chiwenga reiterated the Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation.
“The role of research in this scientific era is for development, there is a need to research to obtain solutions. By the end of the day there must be no rural areas; they will all be producing all over Zimbabwe,”Dr Chiwenga added.
The Acting President also challenged the researchers present, urging them to think boldly and contribute to the nation’s development goals.
“I challenge you, the researchers here today to challenge yourselves, think boldly and come up with ideas that ensure productivity for our Zimbabwe. The Second Republic is ready to boost our agricultural sector and achieve jobs for the jobless,” he urged.
Dr. Chiwenga concluded by calling on all stakeholders to embrace the power of research. “Unity, freedom, and work is quite a powerful motto,” he affirmed.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Nqobizitha Ndhlovu, underscored the significance of such gatherings.
"This Indaba provides a unique platform for Government, the private sector, farmers, academia, development partners, and other stakeholders to come together to identify key national research priorities in the agricultural sector and discuss innovative strategies and the commensurate interventions," he said.
Hon. Ndhlovu also highlighted the critical need to strengthen linkages between agriculture and manufacturing to boost sector performance.
"To accelerate the manufacturing sector performance, the NDS1 prioritized the development of ten value chains, six of which are agro-based, including cotton, dairy, fertilizer, leather, soya, and sugar," he added.
The event saw notable contributions from various institutions, including the University of Zimbabwe and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), whose work on bio-fertilizers and other projects was commended.
