Kutsaga Welcomes New Executive Director of Production and Operations

Harare, Zimbabwe — The Tobacco Research Board (TRB), known to many by its trade name Kutsaga, is proud to announce a significant milestone in its leadership team with the appointment of Mrs. Rhoda Mavuka as the first Executive Director of Production and Operations, effective from the 2nd of April, 2024.

As an authoritative voice within Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, Agriculture.co.zw recognises Mrs. Mavuka's exceptional journey at TRB, starting in 2004 as a Research Officer. Her ascent through the ranks over the course of 19 years—culminating in a pivotal leadership role in the Crop Production and Molecular Technologies (CPMT) Division in 2018—reflects her deep commitment to agricultural research and innovation. Mrs. Mavuka's expertise was instrumental in leading sustainable crop management research, as well as in the modernisation of pest and disease diagnostic techniques, immensely benefitting the agricultural community.

Her contributions have been particularly noteworthy in the advancement of the Presidential Rural Development Program, through the commercial production of seed potatoes and horticultural seedlings, including sweet potatoes. Furthermore, her role as an advisor on pesticide management regulations has provided invaluable insights to both local farmers and the global tobacco community.

Mrs. Mavuka's impressive educational background includes an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Zimbabwe and a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from Midlands State University. Her pursuit of a DPhil in Conservation Agriculture at the Chinhoyi University of Technology is a testament to her ongoing dedication to learning and development in her field. In addition, her project management and pesticide risk management qualifications are indicative of a leader well-equipped to handle complex agricultural challenges.

Her responsibilities have also extended internationally, as the Lead Scientist for the CORESTA Bio-Subgroup, which comprises members from over 42 different countries, and as a member of the CORESTA Agrochemical Advisory Committee.

Together with her husband Solomon and their three children, Tivakudze, Kudakwashe, and Taonanyasha, Mrs. Mavuka is poised to step into this new role, with Agriculture.co.zw and the agricultural community rallying behind her. We have every confidence that her strategic insights will be vital in the pursuit of the Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy and the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy, both key to achieving the milestones outlined in NDS1 and Zimbabwe's Vision 2030.

Agriculture.co.zw extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Rhoda Mavuka on her prestigious appointment and wishes her every success in her role at Kutsaga.