Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
Construction of the state-of-the-art central analytical services laboratory by Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) in Marondera is nearing completion.
The facility is expected to open in the first quarter of this year, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Justice Nyamangara, said during a familiarisation tour led by Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava.
The construction of the facility began in 2021, and it is now 90 percent complete.
Initially, the laboratory will serve as administration offices, while other sections will accommodate faculty activities.
This arrangement allows for immediate use, while final touches are carried out for its transformation into a fully operational laboratory.
Once fully operational, the laboratory will provide essential agricultural services.
These services will include soil, water, fertiliser, and mining testing.
They will be crucial for the province and beyond, addressing the current shortage of laboratory facilities.
Dr Shava expressed satisfaction with the university’s progress.
“I am happy that the vice chancellor is showing me what the university is doing in order for it to be firmly placed in Marondera.
“At the moment, they are operating from various places, far apart from each other. Of interest is the science laboratory that they are building at this new site,” he said.
Dr Shava urged the university to expedite the construction of the administration block at the main campus.
Prof Nyamangara outlined the laboratory’s critical roles.
“The central analytical service laboratory will be used for analysis of soil samples for fertiliser recommendations. We will also be using it for plant analysis.
“For some crops, especially in horticulture, one would want to assess fertiliser requirements through foliar analysis.
“Also, it will enable us to analyse water samples, be it for irrigation or potable purposes. We will also have equipment which can analyse minerals, for those in the mining sector and effluents from either local authorities or mines through the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).
“So it’s a multipurpose laboratory, and I hope it will lessen the pressure on the limited laboratory facilities currently available in the country,” said Prof Nyamangara.
After the tour of the construction site, Dr Shava and his entourage proceeded to visit the university’s Agro-Industrial Park.
