Science-driven policies key to boosting Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector

WITH climate change continuing to impact economies by reducing productivity across various sectors, experts have called for science-driven policies to keep Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector competitive and resilient.

This call was made during a writeshop on reviewing and updating the country’s seed certification regulatory frameworks.
The event, organised by the Department of Research and Specialist Services under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), sought to modernise the country’s 25-year-old seed certification regulatory frameworks in line with regional and international standards.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, stressed the importance of policies guided by scientific advancements to sustain agricultural productivity.

“The world is not static, and neither is science. Policy must be driven by science to remain relevant. If we have policies that are not science-driven, they will become obsolete over time. We need periodic reviews to ensure our policies evolve with scientific advancements,” he said.

Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development

Prof Jiri said there is a need to tackle key agricultural challenges such as climate change and counterfeit seeds using scientific solutions.

“When we talk about fake seeds, we must have a science-driven response. When we discuss climate change, we must address it scientifically,” he said.

Zimbabwe boasts one of the strongest seed systems in Southern Africa. Prof Jiri highlighted that aligning and updating the seed certification regulatory frameworks is crucial for maintaining this status and ensuring the supply of high-quality seeds to local, regional, and international markets.

The revised framework will enhance the country’s ability to meet global standards, ensuring food security while deterring the production and sale of counterfeit seeds by unscrupulous agro-dealers.

“Food security underpins sustainable development, and at the core of food security is seed security. A stable economy depends on reliable food production. Our seed certification regulatory frameworks are critical to the success of agriculture. Better seeds lead to better agriculture,” said Prof Jiri.

He reiterated that a robust and authentic seed certification system is essential for a thriving agricultural sector.
Prof Jiri expressed concern over the rising problem of counterfeit seeds, which continue to harm farmers and the agricultural industry.

“Every year, unsuspecting farmers lose money due to fake seeds. Some individuals smuggle unapproved seeds into the country, while others deceive farmers by dyeing ordinary grains to resemble certified seed,” he said.

Prof Jiri urged farmers to purchase seeds only from registered distributors to protect themselves from fraudulent dealers.
Zimbabwe Seed Association representative, Mr Talk Chinoda, acknowledged the importance of regulatory frameworks in building customer trust and expanding markets. He emphasised the need for continuous updates to address emerging challenges such as counterfeit seeds.

“Regular updates to seed regulatory frameworks help the industry stay ahead of challenges and maintain trust among farmers and global buyers,” he said.

With agriculture playing a central role in the country’s economy, experts agree that science-led policies and stringent regulatory frameworks are essential to boosting productivity, ensuring food security, and sustaining the country’s competitive edge in the global seed market. —-chroncile