Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
HORTICULTURE and Research Institute held its annual planning and review meeting in Marondera as the department takes stock of milestones achieved and maps the way forward.
HRI is stationed at Grassland Research Station in Marondera.
The meeting was aimed at reviewing the work done and also highlighting plans for the future in terms of the focus of the research.
In an interview with Zimpapers on the sidelines of the meeting, the institute’s head, Ms Linda Muusha, highlighted the importance of the planning and review meeting as well as the critical role science-based research plays in horticulture production.
“As the Horticulture Research Institute, right now our current research focus is based mainly on promoting organic production of horticulture crops,” she said.
“We have been evaluating several organic horticulture products that are on the market. As you know, there is a big market for organically produced crops, especially in the export market.
“So we are evaluating products that are available so that our farmers can have a wider range of products that they can use. We are also evaluating some varieties of blueberries that we have. There is a growing demand for blueberry planting material.
“We are also looking at crops like watermelons and butternuts, and we are trying to find the best agronomical practices for these crops. As you know, farmers are now into high production of water melons and butternuts, so we are trying to find the best production method for those crops so that our farmers can maximise their profits and also produce the best crops.”
Acting director, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services for Mashonaland East Mr Calisto Masiwa, highlighted the importance of research in enhancing quality and sound horticultural production.
“The meeting gave a platform for research officers to present on the research work that they have been doing and what they are planning to do,” he said.
“We are seeing the impact of the work that they are doing. This is critical for us, not only as a province but nationally.
“What is critical is the research output; we need to be science-led in terms of productivity, to respond not only to climate change that we experience, but we also need to be informed. If you look at the Presidential programme, where each household should have at least ten different fruit trees, we therefore need to know which fruit tree to grow in which agro-ecological zone.
“So there is this important link between research, extension and advisory as well as the farmers. We need to be informed and guided by science-based research, in terms of what the farmer should be doing, to ensure profitability, productivity, as well as quality produce.”
He commended the research team for also focusing extensively on blueberry production, adding that Mashonaland East has significant farmers growing the fruit.
