Showcasing agricultural innovation at the ART Summer Field Day

The Agricultural Research Trust (ART) Summer Field Day is an important event for Zimbabwe's farming community, offering a unique opportunity for farmers, researchers, and industry
professionals to witness summer crop trials (including maize, sorghum, soya, and sunflowers) and
the latest agricultural innovations firsthand. This annual event transforms ART's research farm into
a showcase of the latest developments in commercial farming.

Themed “Regeneration,” this day recently held, signalled a commitment to continual improvement
in research and development in crop and livestock production and management technologies. For
over four decades, ART has been an integral part of research and development in the local and
regional, agricultural industry.

ART serves as a vital research centre where leading seed houses and agrochemical companies
conduct extensive field trials. The research farm provides controlled conditions for testing new crop
varieties, innovative farming techniques, and advanced agricultural products before they reach the
wider market.

The Summer Field Day opened ART's gates to the public, allowing visitors to tour demonstration
plots featuring new crop varieties with improved yields, pest resistance, and drought tolerance.
They were able to observe side-by-side comparisons of different agricultural inputs and
management practices; engage with technical experts from seed companies and agrochemical
manufacturers; learn about sustainable farming methods and pest management strategies and
network with fellow agricultural professionals and industry leaders

What makes the ART Field Day particularly valuable is the unbiased, collaborative approach it
fosters. Multiple commercial entities, including major seed houses and agrochemical companies,
showcase their products in a research-focused environment. This allows farmers to evaluate
competing products under similar conditions and make informed decisions for their operations.

While new products do take centre stage, the Field Day also highlights broader agricultural
research initiatives, including regenerative farming, soil health management, climate-smart farming
techniques, and mechanisation options suitable for different scales of farming operations.

In a speech read on his behalf at the official opening of the event, Minister of Lands, Agriculture,
Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Dr Anxious Masuka implored ART to “focus more
on shorter season and high yielding varieties, citing irregular summer rainfall patterns.

“In the past two seasons, for example, we have seen an erratic start to the season followed by an
intense short and sharp season, effectively lasting 60-90 days. We need genetics adapted to this
unfolding scenario. We also desire to have varieties that have better water use efficiency, better
nutrition use to lower fertiliser usage and better attributes for traditional grains regarding bird
tolerance and better processing qualities.”

Armyworm
Later, the Minister announced that with the anticipated challenge of Fall Armyworm, the
Government has found it “prudent to introduce a seed dressing chemical for all maize and sorghum
seeds commencing with the 2025/26 season.”
According to the spokesman, a Statutory Instrument will be issued in this regard and the relevant
consultation process is underway. He urged farmers to remain vigilant to the threat of FAW and
African Armyworm and to continue scouting their fields and to urgently report all advances of these
notifiable pests in terms of the law.

Payments
Later in his speech, he acknowledged the issue of late payments to farmers and providers of inputs
in the private sector, saying “Government remains the biggest purchaser of seed, fertiliser and
agrochemicals under its various schemes. I am aware of the challenges this concentration risk has brought to the industry regarding financial payments. The Government is working to find a
collective and effective long-term solution.”

For commercial farmers and anyone interested in farming, the ART Summer Field Day is an
invaluable opportunity to stay at the forefront of agricultural innovation and connect with the wider
farming community.