Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT is dedicated to providing essential policy support, technical guidance and the infrastructure needed for the agricultural biotechnology sector to flourish.
This was said by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri at a Field Day hosted by the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) in collaboration with Lupane State University and Agritex in Lupane on Friday.
The Field Day was held under the theme; “Promoting the Uptake and Utilisation of Research Results for Improved Indigenous Goat Productivity and Genetics through Selective Breeding”.
Minister Masuka encouraged farmers to embrace learning and adopt new techniques to enhance productivity and sustainability in their practices, emphasising the importance of extension officers in vigorously promoting innovations in agriculture.
“This occasion is a commendable demonstration of how collaborative partnerships can drive sustainable development in the agricultural sector in line with the clarion call towards Vision 2030,” said Minister Masuka.
“We are gathered here not just to witness the outcomes of a research project, but to celebrate a success story of innovation, collaboration, and practical transformation.
“Through the selective breeding of the Matabele and Boer goats, they have achieved a resilient, high-yielding breed that can thrive in our challenging climatic conditions.
“This is a major leap toward achieving our goals under the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan,” said Minister Masuka.
He said as Government they are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative and they recognise that the path to food security and rural development must be driven by science, supported by policy and grounded in the realities of farming communities.
“That is why we continue to support the work of the Research Council of Zimbabwe in ensuring that research does not remain on shelves, but is taken up, applied, and scaled where it matters most, in the fields and on the farms.
“Indeed, today we relish the symbiotic relationship between our universities and communities.
“Let me also emphasise that this Field Day aligns with our broader agenda under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, where the integration of research, extension and farmer participation is key.
“We are committed to ensuring that successful models such as the one demonstrated today are replicated across other regions and commodities. The ministry remains steadfast in providing the policy support, technical guidance and infrastructure necessary for the agricultural biotechnology sector to thrive.
“We urge our extension officers to vigorously promote such innovations and we encourage our farmers to be open to learning and adopting new techniques,” said Minister Masuka.
RCZ executive director Dr Partson Chikudza said at the core of the event is the desire to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical application, particularly for the benefit of smallholder farmers.
He said through this event, RCZ, Lupane State University and the Government aim not only to celebrate the tangible results of innovation, but also to promote inclusive participation in shaping the future of livestock development.
“As you will soon witness, the impact of this project.
“These are goats that are built for resilience, economic impact and sustainability, as will be witnessed,” said Dr Chikudza.
“As we interact today, may this Field Day stand as a powerful testimony to the potential of research-driven agricultural solutions to transform rural livelihoods and propel communities toward shared prosperity.”
Dr Chikudza said the objectives of the gathering are to showcase the newly developed goat breed, resulting from the strategic cross-breeding of the Matabele Goat and the Boer Goat, a breed that combines disease resistance, higher mass and improved reproduction rates.
He said the aim is also to demonstrate best practices in selective breeding, feeding and disease management that can be practically adopted by local farmers and facilitate knowledge exchange between researchers, extension officers and the farming community.
