Story by John Nhandara
ZIMBABWE is integrating advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to transform its agricultural sector, with a specific focus on strengthening seed systems and food security.
Stakeholders who gathered in Harare for a meeting on seed production technology have examined how modern technologies can be deployed to streamline breeding cycles and improve crop yields across diverse agroecological zones.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, said robust regulatory systems remain essential as Zimbabwe advances towards technology-driven agricultural transformation.
“We have a regulatory role to make sure the seeds we produce are safe for the country. Zimbabwe is in the process of transformation we need to develop and advanced seed systems that will help our country produce the kind of food that we need and ensure Zimbabwe is driven by technology and innovation through institutions such as NBA,” Professor Tagwira said.
A key focus of the engagement was the integration of AI to improve efficiency in seed production and accelerate agricultural innovation.
National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) Board Chairperson, Professor Idah Sithole Niang, said Zimbabwe already has a solid foundation on which to build.
“Zimbabwe is highly placed to participate and to be actively involved in seed production technologies because we have already established seed systems that work for us, but we need to leverage technology.”
The meeting hosted by the National Biotechnology Authority attracted various stakeholders, including the African Union Development Agency and New Partnerships for Africa’s Development.
