agriculture

Korea enhances local agricultural productivity – The Herald

Ivan Zhakata recently in Seoul, KOREA

Korea is enhancing Zimbabwe’s poultry and maize productivity by improving indigenous chicken farming and expanding drought-resistant maize varieties.

The Asian country is also developing appropriate technology for the expansion of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in Zimbabwe.

It has also helped improve chicken feed using Black Soldier Larvae and establishing water and fertiliser management technology for the sustainable production of green vegetables.

Through the Korean Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), launched by the Rural Development Administration (RDA), Korea aims to give back to the international community by sharing experiences and knowledge with African countries to aid in fighting poverty.

Addressing journalists during an exchange on cooperation between Korea and Africa, RDA director-general of the Technology Cooperation Bureau Mr Kim Hwang-yong said in Zimbabwe they were contributing to food self-sufficiency by expanding drought-tolerant varieties.

“From 2023 to 2024, KOPIA Zimbabwe Centre disseminated stable production technologies for maize, which was reducing in yield despite being a staple crop,” he said.

“The drought-tolerant maize variety SIRDAMAIZE 113, developed by the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), was tested on 13 farms covering 100 hectares in the chronically drought-affected area of Hwedza. SIRDC was provided maize seed processing facilities to establish a foundation for expanding the distribution of selected drought-tolerant maize varieties.

“This project aims ultimately to distribute drought-tolerant maize varieties throughout Zimbabwe.

“We are also improving indigenous chicken weight and developing self-sufficient feed mixing ratio models.”

Mr Hwang-yong said from 2021 to 2023, KOPIA Zimbabwe Centre built new and improved chicken coops and administered vaccinations regularly resulting in a 25 percent weight increase and mortality rate reduction from 25 percent to 5 percent.

He said the distribution of solar-powered incubators increased hatchability by 2,3 fold, daily egg production by 2,7, and the number of reared chickens by 3,7.

“Additionally, an optimal feed mixing ratio model was developed, increasing the number of participating farms by approximately five-fold, while quadrupling the average income. Moreover, cooperatives were organised to establish a sustainable business foundation,” Mr Hwang-yong said.

He said farming required a wealth of knowledge, access to vital information and the right equipment.

“Being aware of such issues, RDA has been committed to implementing KOPIA’s projects for the past 15 years. Through the KOPIA programme, seasoned agricultural experts are dispatched to partner nations as KOPIA Centre directors.

“They immerse themselves in local communities year-round, collaborating with local researchers to tailor agricultural technologies to suit specific needs. In that process, they share Korea’s wealth of experience in agricultural technology development and dissemination.”

Mr Hwang-yong said as agricultural productivity rises, so does the prosperity of rural economies and communities, leading to healthier lives while children gain better access to education.

He said Governments will also benefit, reduce their reliance on food imports, and use agriculture as a catalyst for broader economic growth.

“This is the world we envision through KOPIA. Despite the hurdles, KOPIA has achieved significant milestones throughout the years.

“This is the result of our dedication to putting our best foot forward, driven by a commitment to humanity, the humanitarian mission, and to strengthening strategic global cooperation and forging partnerships worldwide.”

KOPIA Zimbabwe Center researcher Mr Jisu Park said after participating in activities of applying poultry farming techniques to improve indigenous chicken feed, he felt a sense of accomplishment in Korean agricultural technology.

“I was recommended by my professor to apply for a researcher position, which brought me to Zimbabwe. Here, every day was spent witnessing the blend of blessed climates and advanced agricultural technologies from Korea, contributing to the development of Zimbabwean agriculture.

“The final on-site evaluation of the KOPIA indigenous chicken cooperation project was a showcase of how surprising changes and growth can be brought about by the dissemination of agricultural technology. Looking into the eyes of the enthusiastic farmers with glimmering hope in their eyes, I began looking inward and thinking about my mindset as a researcher,” he said.

Mr Park said the experiences made him realise that agriculture transcended borders and helped him break free from traditional perceptions of agriculture.

“Together with the KOPIA Zimbabwe Center, both I as a researcher, and the agricultural and farming people in Zimbabwe are developing and growing,” he said.

agriculture

IDCZ moves in to boost Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector – Chronicle

IDCZ moves in to boost Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector

Lingani Nyika in Masvingo

THE Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) is spearheading a multifaceted drive to support the country’s agricultural sector, with a focus on protecting farmer yields and bolstering the national livestock herd.

Through its subsidiary, Chemplex Agrofarmer, IDCZ is actively engaged in combating animal diseases such as the January Disease and tick-borne diseases.

This is achieved through production of tick grease, which is an initiative aimed at addressing such agricultural challenges.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development has reported a significant decline of 40 percent in the number of animal deaths attributed to the dreaded January disease.

In an interview on the sidelines of a recent joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committees workshop in Masvingo, head of corporate services for IDCZ Mr Derek Sibanda said they have enhanced production capacity and implemented various mitigation measures to combat livestock deaths, which have been yielding positive results.

“One of our subsidiaries, Chemplex Agrofarmer, specializes in animal and public health products,” said Mr Sibanda.

“We have expanded our manufacturing plant located in Masasa, which produces tick grease and dipping chemicals used to combat ticks and the January Disease that has significantly impacted the national livestock herd.”

IDCZ announced that they are ramping up production to unprecedented levels through their expanded manufacturing facilities, enabling them to fuel overseas markets.

“The plant expansion has increased our production capacity to 6,000 tonnes per annum, which should be sufficient to meet the national demand and allow for exports,” said Mr Sibanda.

“Currently, our tick grease and dipping chemicals are being utilized by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to address the January Disease outbreak.”

“As a result of these efforts, the number of animal deaths from tick-borne diseases has been declining.”

The IDCZ thrives to resuscitate the national herd and improve food security as part of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) for Sustainable Development of the nation.

The IDCZ general manager, Mr Edward Tome, said the corporation has implemented measures to safeguard harvests nationwide, tackling the debilitating post-harvest losses that have plagued farmers.

“Farmers are suffering unimaginable post-harvest losses and we had to put up a new mark to produce grain protectants that have the capacity to supply this country and the region and it is already operational in Masasa,” said Mr Tome.

-@NyikaLingani

agriculture

Breaking news – Chronicle

Zimpapers partners Ministry of Lands in conference on early planting of wheat

Michelle Moyo, [email protected]

ZIMPAPERS Knowledge Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development will host a conference where stakeholders will deliberate on early planting and pre-planting processes for wheat.

The conference is also to help ensure continued harvest successes and continued contribution of wheat farming to the country’s food security and economic success.

The conference will take place in Cresta Harare lodge on the 22th may 2024 with the theme “Wheat food security: Zimbabwe’s best foot forward.”

The keynote speaker is Professor Obert Jiri the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

The purpose for the event is to explore on the activation of wheat for food security strategy, how to achieve 120000 hectares post El Nino, to bring together stakeholders in the agricultural sector to share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to enhance productivity, and sustainability in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, ahead of the wheat ploughing season and maintain stakeholder engagement to ensure that Zimbabwe maintains its position as the top wheat producing country in Africa.

Zimpapers Knowledge Centre said wheat farming is critical to the country’s agricultural sector as it is the second most important food security crop in Zimbabwe after maize.

“Government has set a tall target of 120 000 hectares of wheat for this particular season, which needs all hands on deck. The sector can however, achieve that, riding on the confidence that it did 80 000 in 2022, and 90 192 in 2023.

“The importance for this year’s winter wheat season is that it is a key food security thrust that must be accomplished at all costs. The success of winter wheat farming this year will avert the waste of hunger that might happen on account that winter wheat is not affected by climate change in addition, the government has set in motion a water harvesting regime through dam rehabilitation and dam construction, aided by massive irrigation infrastructure to ensure the availability of water, said Zimpapers Knowledge Centre.

This speaks to the Winter Wheat Approved Plan for 2024, a well-articulated programme that will be further explained to stakeholders and the nation at the conference so that everyone is well informed on the trajectory being undertaken by the government to ensure food security.

The topics that are going to be covered include new crop varieties, disease management and innovation Land Preparation, Tillage Procedures and Soil Conditioning Ensuring food security through wheat farming for Africa and beyond Mechanisation, Irrigation, value chains, and access to markets.

Target audience consists of Government officials (Ministry of Lands,Agriculture, Fisheries,Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company(ZETDC),Expert Choice Agrochemicals, Seed companies, ZINWA and Directorate Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation and farm infrastructure development.

@Lo7246Lovelyn

agriculture

Zimpapers partners Ministry of Lands in conference on early planting of wheat – Chronicle

Zimpapers partners Ministry of Lands in conference on early planting of wheat

Michelle Moyo, [email protected]

The conference is also to help ensure continued harvest successes and continued contribution of wheat farming to the country’s food security and economic success.

The conference will take place in Cresta Harare lodge on the 22th may 2024 with the theme “Wheat food security: Zimbabwe’s best foot forward.”

The keynote speaker is Professor Obert Jiri the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

Zimpapers Knowledge Centre said wheat farming is critical to the country’s agricultural sector as it is the second most important food security crop in Zimbabwe after maize.

@Lo7246Lovelyn