Online Reporter
Sekai Manyere
Herald Reporter
THE third Research for Agricultural Excellence and Technology Indaba has opened at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga urging scientists, universities and the private sector to reorient agricultural research towards addressing immediate human needs, particularly food security and water availability.
The Vice President, who was represented by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, said Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 must be translated into measurable national capabilities.
“It is very good to have objectives, but you have to have capabilities to meet those objectives,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said water availability was one of the key capabilities needed to achieve the country’s agricultural objectives.
He also emphasised the need for Zimbabwe to build a society that recognises the importance of knowledge and research in driving national development.
“No society can achieve more than what it knows,” VP Chiwenga said.
The Vice President said scientific research should ultimately satisfy human needs and contribute to improving people’s lives.
“Science does not exist in a vacuum, it is a sacred moral covenant with our people to secure primary pillars of human existence. Food, shelter, water, sleep, communication, innovation,” he said.
VP Chiwenga described agricultural excellence as the science of survival and the preservation of human dignity, urging researchers to ensure their work addressed practical challenges facing communities.
The indaba, themed “Agri-tech for Prosperity, Research Solutions and Commerce,” focused on connecting research, technological solutions and commercialisation.
VP Chiwenga said agriculture was the foundation of Zimbabwe’s industrialisation, with crops providing raw materials for manufacturing, agro-processing and biotechnology.
He urged researchers to develop affordable, locally manufactured irrigation technologies suited to Zimbabwe’s conditions and reduce dependence on imported technologies.
“Our newly channelled research must prioritise locally manufactured, affordable irrigation solutions,” he said, calling for the scaling of gravity-fed systems, solar-powered farming networks and community-based water stewardship schemes.
VP Chiwenga also urged scientists to develop climate-smart technologies and make them accessible to farmers as Zimbabwe responds to climate change.
He said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, robotics and digital advisory platforms should be embraced, warning against Zimbabwe remaining a passive consumer of foreign technology.
The Vice President called for inclusive mechanisation, including smart mini-pivots and digital machinery sharing platforms that could benefit smallholder farmers.
He further urged scientists to work directly with farmers rather than operating in academic silos.
“Research must be co-created with our farmers,” VP Chiwenga said.
He called for research into crop diversification, soil restoration, reduction of post-harvest losses, livestock health, genomic breeding and alternative animal feeds.
The private sector, VP Chiwenga said, should engage scientific institutions early to ensure innovations respond to market needs.
“The Research Council of Zimbabwe should continue aligning research agendas systematically with the private sector,” he said.
VP Chiwenga identified young people as key drivers of agricultural technological transformation, urging universities, innovation hubs and incubation centres to develop young scientists’ entrepreneurial skills.
He said the Government would continue increasing public investment in research, while private sector partnerships and financial institutions should contribute to building a sustainable funding ecosystem.
“It reflects our conviction that research must move beyond the generation of knowledge and contribute to practical solutions, increased productivity and economic opportunity,” VP Chiwenga said.
