Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
UNLOCKING the potential of agricultural innovations such as biotechnology – based Hybrid Seed Systems (BbHSS) solutions can help support the country’s drought resilience plans, said Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet.
Dr Manungo, who was represented by Chief Director Mrs Anna Tinarwo at a national stakeholder review of Zimbabwe’s draft guidelines for BbHSS workshop held in Harare today, said new innovations can help farmers produce more efficiently under drought conditions.
Agriculture, he said, remains the lifeblood of the economy and a fundamental pillar of national food and nutrition security.
He said it was also one of the sectors most directly exposed to the impacts of climate change and climate variability.
Increasing temperatures, prolonged dry spells, recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, floods, emerging pests and diseases, and other climate-related stresses are placing growing pressure on agricultural production systems.
“Against this background, Zimbabwe cannot afford to approach agricultural innovation as a matter of choice alone,” Dr Manungo said.
“It is increasingly a necessity. Our national response must therefore include technologies and production systems that can help our farmers produce more efficiently, sustainably and resiliently under changing climatic conditions.”
The National Biotechnology Authority, with technical support from AUDA-NEPAD, has developed a draft national guideline on Biotechnology-based Hybrid Seed Systems.
Stakeholders are meeting to refine the guidelines.
Seed Production Technology (SPT) is now a fully developed biotech-based hybrid seed system already being rolled out across several African countries.
SPT allows breeders to produce high-purity F1 hybrid seed more efficiently, using genetic engineering and AI-assisted sorting.
The guidelines are being developed to ensure that biotechnology based breeding approaches are safe, effective and appropriate.
When safe, the new breeding approaches have the potential to contribute to the development and deployment of improved varieties with characteristics such as enhanced productivity, disease and pest resistance, tolerance to environmental stresses, and improved adaptation to changing climatic conditions.
Speaking at the same event, NBA board chairperson Prof ldah Sithole-Niang said it was important to strengthen the regulatory and decision-making capacity of the board and technical teams.
“The guidelines before us aim to provide clear, science-based, and risk-proportionate answers that will enable safe innovation while maintaining robust biosafety oversight,” she said.
“Your presence here today reflects our collective commitment to ensuring that these guidelines are technically robust, legally sound, and practically implementable.”
Chief Director in the Department of Research and Specialist Services, Dr Dumisani Kutywayo said a robust and responsive seed system is critical to enhancing national production and strengthening food security.
He said it was also important in improving the competitiveness and resilience of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
“Our Ministry continues to pursue interventions aimed at modernising agricultural production systems, enhancing productivity and strengthening the capacity of farmers to respond to emerging production constraints,” Dr Kutywayo said.
“This requires, among other interventions, sustained investment in research, plant breeding, seed technology and the responsible application of emerging biotechnologies.”
Zimbabwe is facing an El Niño induced drought this season and the government has crafted a drought resilience plan to strengthen resilient agricultural practices.
The six-pillar drought mitigation plan, includes an enhanced strategic grain reserve, accelerated grain imports and an integrated financing mechanism.
All this is meant to help Zimbabwe respond to a forecast drought which is expected to bring below-normal rainfall to the country and the region.
Peter Tanyanyiwa