Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
Zimbabwe’s academic institutions have been called on to play a pivotal role in ensuring that agricultural research is translated into practice to benefit farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
Agriculture in the country contributes between 11 to 18 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 60 to 70 percent of citizens, making academic interventions vital for economic stability.
In an interview, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said for innovation to be impactful, it must move from academic repositories to the field.
“Innovation developed through agricultural research should be tested and adapted, with farmers actively involved in the process. This involves bridging the gap between research findings and real-world application through effective knowledge translation and implementation strategies,” he said.
“Agricultural research can be incredibly valuable, but it is all about making sure that research does not stay stuck in the lab or academia — it needs to be accessible, practical and usable by the farmers who can directly benefit from it.”
He said academic and research institutions were key in advancing agricultural development, while in collaboration with the Government they ensure the country is able to address various national challenges.
Prof Jiri said these challenges include food insecurity and climate change, which have significantly impacted agriculture, primarily through heightened temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and more frequent and intense droughts and floods.
“These changes lead to reduced crop yields, food insecurity, and water scarcity, affecting the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans who rely on agriculture. Research and academic institutions through their innovation hubs and in line with Heritage-Based Education 5.0, are coming up and collaborating with Government on climate-smart agricultural initiatives and technologies.
“This is to ensure that farmers adopt practices like conservation agriculture, drought-resistant crops, and water-efficient irrigation systems that can help them adapt to changing climate conditions,” he added.
