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Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
The Government has challenged the country’s research ecosystem to come up with interventions that will transform the agricultural sector as well as provide answers to all the sector’s challenges.
The call was made by Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga when he addressed the Inaugural Research for Agricultural Excellence Indaba at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) in Harare this morning.
The indaba was an endeavour by the Research Council of Zimbabwe and ZAS to promote the utilisation of research results in informing sustainable agriculture practices by linking researchers with industry, farmers, and other stakeholders, he said.
It also sought to highlight the centrality of research in underpinning the Government’s quest for enhanced agriculture production in Zimbabwe’s agro-based economy.
“I challenge you all to transform the agricultural landscape, through harnessing the power of research that delves deep into the complexities of our farming systems,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“There is a need for research that provides solutions to our production and productivity challenges, animal diseases as well as increased revenue generation through import substitution.
“It is my conviction that all we need is pragmatic research that informs the policies and programs that will shape the future of this agriculture sector.”
He said the indaba is a key milestone in the country’s research ecosystem as it convenes all stakeholders and facilitates deliberations on the linkages between research and sustainable agricultural practices.
“We may have noticed that these critical domains exist in silos, with limited cross-pollination of ideas and collective problem-solving apparatus,” he said.
“Therefore, let me applaud the Research Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for having recognised the urgent need to bridge the gap and catalyse the synergies between research and sustainable agricultural practices.”
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