Online Reporter
Specialist Writer — Agribusiness
Zimbabwe’s quest for a US$2,5 billion horticulture industry by 2030 has received a major boost following the development of 23 micropropagation protocols by Kutsaga Research Institute mainly for the sector.
The research organisation disclosed this during the recent commissioning of its US$800 000 Kutsaga Tissue Culture Facility, launched under the theme “Towards National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2): Kutsaga Tissue Culture Facility as an Accelerator for the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP), Agricultural Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2).”
“To date, the laboratory has developed 23 micropropagation protocols spanning high-value horticultural crops such as blueberries, bananas, stevia, sugar cane, cassava, pineapple, Hass avocado, strawberries as well as ornamental and specialty flowers including Orchids, Clematis, Kangaroo paw and Eryngium.
“All the protocols developed have been commercialised for small-scale clients, large-scale commercial producers and industry, demonstrating scalability and practical industry relevance,” Kutsaga executive director production and operations, Mrs Rhoda Mavuka said.
Mrs Mavuka said as the floriculture sector continued to grow and diversify, tissue culture offers a transformative solution by enabling rapid, uniform and disease-free planting material, positioning this facility as a strategic enabler of a competitive and export-oriented flower industry.
“Currently, protocols are under development for flowers to include Limonium, Gypsophila, Lilies, Cymbidium and Coelogyne orchids, which will be commercialised reflecting the expanding scope of our work.
“Through the integrated use of this tissue culture facility alongside advanced agricultural production technologies such as hydroponic (for horticultural seedlings) and aeroponic (for irish potato) systems, Kutsaga is well positioned to address the long-standing challenge of providing high-quality, disease-free planting material,” she said.
The integrated approach enhances multiplication efficiency, ensures uniformity and quality, thereby supporting sustainable and competitive agricultural production.
Kutsaga has produced over 12 million horticulture seedlings spanning a wide range of crops namely cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, covo, rape, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, onions, watermelon and butternut through the hydroponic system and strategic commercial partnerships with off takers.
Kutsaga Tissue Culture Facility is fully operational and ready for scale-up.
“Currently operating below full capacity at 65 percent, the facility presents a clear opportunity for strategic partnerships that can unlock its full potential.
“We strongly encourage engagement through formal production contracts, as contractual arrangements allow for forward planning, efficient resource allocation and the delivery of tailor-made production aligned to specific crop requirements, volumes and timelines,” she said.
Horticultural Development Council (HDC) chief executive, Mrs Linda Nielsen said the facility had been producing and supplying elite seedlings of Irish and sweet potatoes, flowers and fruit trees.
“Quality planting material is the starting point of successful commercial horticulture.
“These clean, uniform and high-performing seedlings produce better yields, healthier crops and fewer losses from pests and diseases,” she said.
Mrs Nielsen said for exporters this meant consistent quality, longer shelf life and meeting international standards while making the industry competitive.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) show that the country’s horticulture exports have been on a growth path since 2016.
In 2020, the Government crafted the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP) to stimulate both conventional and rural horticulture production, accelerate domestic and export horticulture production, increase productivity and profitability and value addition to contribute significantly to food security and nutrition, import substitution, foreign currency generation, employment creation and raising household incomes in pursuit of Vision 2030 objectives.
