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“Most farmers in Zimbabwe are still relying on the traditional ways of agriculture like weeding using hoes when there are chemicals that can be sprayed to perform the same task,” he said.
He said though some of the chemicals were not good for soils, others user friendly.
“Not all chemicals are dangerous to the soil by destroying soil organisms, some are actually friendly and effective,” he said.
The official said at the moment crop productivity was increasing in other regions of the world while decreasing in Africa due to technological backwardness.
“Biotechnology could provide some answers to the problem of reduced crop productivity as it targets at insect resistance (stalk borers, cotton bollworms), virus resistance (maize streak), drought tolerance, herbicide tolerance, quality and marker assisted selection could positively impact on crop productivity.
“However, terminator technology which involves insertion of genes to render them unable to germinate in the second generation should not be allowed in Zimbabwe because our farmers generally depend on retained seed,” he said.
He said technologies involving artificial insemination and embryo transfer could also be used to increase animal productivity.
“Artificial insemination involves semen collection, dilution and storage and insemination while Embryo transfer involves a collection of fertilized eggs from a cow and transfer to a foster dam.
“Both technologies are mainly used by commercial farmers and not by the smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe.
“These methods are not controversial and can be used to improve and rebuild the national herd.
“Success of the technologies depends upon overcoming problems of cultural beliefs, animal husbandry practices and lack of skills particularly in the smallholder sector,” said the official.
Online Reporter