Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare in BULAWAYO
ZIMBABWE is set to unveil a sweeping agricultural transformation agenda anchored on artificial intelligence, digital farming systems and strengthened seed sovereignty at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF 2026) which kick-starts today in Bulawayo.
This comes at a time the Government intensifies efforts to reposition agriculture as a technology-driven and investment-ready sector.
The 66th edition of the trade showcase runs from April 20 to 25 under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”, which places emphasis on regional integration, industrialisation and the development of high-value economic linkages to enhance global competitiveness.
At the centre of Zimbabwe’s exhibition will be a dual focus on digital agricultural innovation and local seed system development, as authorities seek to reduce import dependence, boost productivity and strengthen resilience in the face of climate change.
The Government says the ZITF platform will be used to demonstrate how artificial intelligence, drone technology and data-driven systems are being integrated into farming to improve pest control, crop monitoring, extension services and production planning.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, and Lands and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said the exhibition will showcase how modern technologies are reshaping agriculture into a smart, commercially viable sector.
“We are going to showcase digitalisation and modernisation of our agriculture, including artificial intelligence tools that help in pest detection, tracking of production and improving efficiency across the value chain,” he said.
Professor Jiri said digital agriculture forms part of a wider transformation agenda that includes irrigation expansion, climate resilience systems and industrialisation of rural economies.
He said the Government is also pushing ecological tailoring, where agricultural production is matched to appropriate regions using climate and soil data, with artificial intelligence expected to support more accurate decision-making.
Alongside the digital revolution, Zimbabwe will also highlight major advances in seed sovereignty and local innovation systems aimed at reducing reliance on imported planting material.
“We are also leveraging technology as we transition towards a truly industrialised agricultural economy,” he said.
The Tobacco Research Board (TRB), trading as Kutsaga, is expected to play a central role at ZITF 2026 as it showcases its tissue culture and certified seed production systems, which are now being expanded beyond tobacco into seed potatoes and horticultural crops.
Kutsaga chief executive officer Dr Frank Magama said the institution is undergoing strategic transformation to become a broader agricultural innovation hub underpinned by science, technology and commercial sustainability.
“Kutsaga remains the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry and a leading force in agricultural research, innovation, and product development,” he said.
“We are evolving into a broader agricultural innovation hub driven by science, innovation and sustainability.”
At the heart of its work is a tissue culture facility that enables rapid multiplication of disease-free planting material, a technology being used to improve seed quality, boost yields and reduce crop losses.
Dr Magama said the push for seed sovereignty is anchored on expanding certified seed systems that ensure farmers have access to reliable, high-performance planting material that meets both local and export market standards.
He said this is critical for strengthening competitiveness while reducing dependency on imported seed, particularly in strategic crops such as tobacco and potatoes.
The institution’s seed potato programme, supported by modern cold storage infrastructure, is also emerging as a key diversification pillar expected to support both commercial and smallholder farmers while reducing import bills.
Beyond traditional crops, Kutsaga is also laying the scientific groundwork for emerging value chains such as industrial hemp, with ongoing research focused on varietal suitability and commercial viability under local conditions.
Dr Magama said sustainability is increasingly shaping agricultural innovation, with biological control agents being developed to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals.
“Innovation is no longer just about productivity. It is also about resilience, sustainability and long-term competitiveness,” he said.
The Government is also modernising agricultural extension services, with more than 6 000 officers now equipped with digital tools to improve farmer engagement and information dissemination across rural communities.
As investors, development partners and industry players converge on Bulawayo, authorities say ZITF 2026 will serve as a key platform to present agriculture not only as a production sector, but as a technology-driven investment destination.
