adminOliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has released $1 million to revive operations at its research station in Matopos in light of the adverse effects of the drought in the country. Against this background, ICRISAT is also calling for concerted efforts in strengthening partnerships with different stakeholders in drought hit Zimbabwe to benefit small holder farmers. To cope with the extreme climate events, ICRISAT noted the need for science backed solutions with stronger partnerships and a country strategy.
In an interview on the sidelines of ICRISAT board meeting in Bulawayo last week, ICRISAT governing board chair Professor Chandra Madramootoo said activities at the Matopos Research Station had declined in the past decade due to limited support from the donor community.
He said in the past two years, they have been engaging the donor community to prioritise funding for ICRISAT research activities.
“For the last 10 to 15 years, activities at Matopos Research Station had declined due to limited donor support and in the past two years we’ve re-engaged the donor community to prioritise funding ICRISAT activities; and the donors have started putting money. We’ve also through our headquarters in India released $1 million to revive operations at Matopos Research Station,” he said.
In light of the adverse effects of climate change, he said they have noted the need to invest in crop research to eradicate poverty and hunger.
“As part of the initial visit I made to Zimbabwe few years ago, I was quite struck that we had underinvested in Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. We observed that we really need to scale-up our investment and we’ve put together $5 million towards upgrading research infrastructure and building scientific skills on the continent,” said Madramootoo.
In a separate interview, ICRISAT country representative Kizito Mazvimavi said his organisation continues to work on improving crop varieties that can withstand the adverse effects of climatic change.
Such crops included small grains like millet and sorghum as well as legumes.
ICRISAT director David Bergvinson said his organisation needs to invest in technology to improve on its operations.
He said ICRISAT was also working with the government and development partners in eradicating the adverse effects of climate change by encouraging communities to grow small grains.
Zimbabwe has been hit by drought induced by El Nino resulting in most parts of the country receiving erratic rains in the just ended rain season. As a result of the drought, over 25,000 head of cattle have died across the country.
Online Reporter