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Monalisa Chikwengo
Government, development partners and stakeholders in the horticulture industry on Tuesday converged in Harare to review and update regulations governing citrus production.
The workshop was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
It was aimed at strengthening the citrus regulations to conform with international best practices.
Plant Quarantine Services Institute (PQSI) chief director, Mr Andrew Chamisa, said they wish to effectively and efficiently reduce the impact of pests on citrus production, at the same time ensuring food security and safe trade.
PQSI’s mandate is to prevent the introduction, establishment and spread of plant pests and diseases within the country and through regional and international trade.
Mr Nhamo Mudada, the PQSI head, said the citrus industry had long been a vital part of agriculture in Zimbabwe, providing a range of economic and nutritional benefits.
“The national citrus phytosanitary regulations are being reviewed, updated and strengthened to help reduce pests on citrus production and improve overall industry sustainability,” he said.
Zimbabwe, he said, has an important role to play in protecting the health of plants and ensuring safe trade.
Various regulations such as the registration of nurseries, inspection of plant nurseries, the issue of nursery registration certificates and the sales of nursery stock were drafted and updated.
The next step following the drafting and reviewing of the regulations is to create a final draft that would undergo validation.
Added Mr Mudada: “Once the regulations have been validated, they will be sent to the PQSI legal department for the necessary legal processes required for publication and gazetting.
“After publication, the regulations will be returned for further review before being implemented.”
Online Reporter