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technologies.
Other projects include solar energy harvesting which is used for irrigation and powering traffic lights.
SIRDC chief executive Mr Robson Mafoti told New Ziana that financial injection would propel the projects, which have the potential to rake in huge amounts of revenue.
“Various projects we are involved in are being affected by lack of funding.
“Relevant authorities should come aboard and find a solution since the projects have potential to change the socio-economic situation of many people,” he said. Mr Mafoti said investment in the projects would ensure positive returns as well as create employment.
“Let us put money into the projects. For instance, a US$10 000 injection into a tile project has potential to employ over 200 people,” he said.
He added that with the same amount injected into the solar irrigation project over 500 families would be sustained.
He said the centre was considering expanding production of micro–concrete roofing tiles to provide the country and the region with cheap roofing material.
“At the moment production of the tiles is happening at our branches in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare.”
SIRDC provides technological solutions for sustainable development and comprises 12 institutes whose activities can be grouped broadly to cover biotechnology, electronics, energy technology, environment and remote sensing, construction, material science, metallurgy, information and communication technology, and metrology. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter