Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Herald Reporter
THE Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) is intensifying the commercialisation of locally developed technologies and innovations, positioning research as a catalyst for industrialisation, food security, enterprise development and sustainable economic growth in line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
The centre’s growing impact was highlighted during its 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM), where it showcased achievements across its research clusters, reviewed progress in commercialising home-grown innovations and outlined ambitious plans to scale up technology development and strengthen partnerships with industry.
Addressing stakeholders, SIRDC chief executive officer Dr Leonard Madzingaidzo said the centre had moved beyond conducting research to delivering practical, market-driven solutions that support national development priorities.
He said SIRDC’s multi-disciplinary research model continues to generate tangible results across agriculture, health, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), mining, manufacturing, environmental management and small and medium enterprise (SME) development.
“The meeting has shown that SIRDC is doing a lot of work across all clusters, providing empirical information to assist Government and supporting communities directly,” he said.
Board chairperson Mr Misheck Kachere said the Centre had recorded significant breakthroughs that were strengthening local industry while advancing Zimbabwe’s import substitution agenda.
“We have had quite tremendous innovations. One example is in seed production,” Mr Kachere said.
“We developed our own drought-resistant maize variety suited to Zimbabwean conditions, which is now the favourite seed used in the Presidential Maize Input Scheme.
“Another is in mining, where we have developed technology to beneficiate minerals, exposing hidden elements in ores that can now be exploited.”
Mr Kachere said increased Government investment in research would significantly accelerate innovation and industrial growth.
“The speed at which we bring out our research depends on funding. If we get the policy to allocate one percent of GDP to research and development implemented, within the next five years we will revolutionise things,” he said.
He said SIRDC had also completed designs for a US$45 million Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine manufacturing plant and a US$65 million integrated foundry, while scientists were already working with local industries to troubleshoot production challenges and improve manufacturing processes.
One of the stakeholders from the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU), Dr Peter Manyere, commended SIRDC for helping the country overcome challenges caused by sanctions through home-grown innovation.
“Sanctions have made importing equipment difficult, but local innovation has allowed us to produce and manufacture our own products faster,” he said.
“We are also developing our own human skills, encouraging students and experts to study locally and contribute to national development.
“This innovation will drive Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda, ensuring rural and remote areas benefit so that no one is left behind.”
During the meeting, SIRDC reported notable achievements across its research clusters. In the health cluster, clinical trials are underway for livestock vaccines targeting Theileriosis and Newcastle disease.
The agriculture cluster has registered new rice varieties, expanded sorghum and millet production programmes, and commissioned a hatchery in Gweza that is producing 15 crates of eggs per week.
The Centre is also piloting poultry feed made from black soldier fly larvae as a sustainable alternative feed source.
The energy and power cluster has trained engineers across the country in solar photovoltaic installation, while the ICT cluster has successfully automated the national budget system by developing the digital Bluebook.
In mining and beneficiation, SIRDC filed patents for high-chrome mill balls, while the industry and manufacturing cluster advanced 3D printing technology for prosthetic devices and strengthened calibration services for industry.
The water and environment cluster continued promoting environmental sustainability through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) training programmes, while the SME cluster completed a national survey on repurposing idle buildings into productive operating spaces and commissioned demonstration facilities to support entrepreneurs.
The Centre also reported increased commercialisation of research through its subsidiary, ZTS (Private) Limited, which produced 347 tonnes of climate-smart maize seed in 2025.
A new seed processing plant donated by Korea’s Rural Development Administration is now processing eight tonnes of seed per shift, significantly improving production capacity and reducing the time taken to deliver seed to the market.
Dr Madzingaidzo said SIRDC had modernised its Master Plan following benchmarking visits to South Korea, Malaysia and South Africa, with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing and nuclear applications now incorporated into the Centre’s long-term strategy.
“The benchmarking process showed us how modern research centres should look, and we are bringing those lessons home to strengthen Zimbabwe’s innovation ecosystem,” he said.
The AGM concluded that SIRDC’s growing portfolio of research, innovation and commercialisation initiatives continues to play a key role in supporting Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda, improving food security, enhancing local manufacturing and creating practical solutions that contribute towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
