Posts by Staff Writer
Mombe yehumai: Building on cultural heritage with modern science to pioneer sustainable dairy farming in Zimbabwe
Agriculture will fail if it does not work towards improving the lives of the local community At Doonside Farm, Mutorashanga, Dr Percy Sharp, in collaboration with farm owner Mark Hook, is developing a sustainable dairy enterprise that builds upon the visionary work of the late Dr Japie Jackson while honouring Zimbabwe’s rich cultural traditions. The…
Read MoreNew hope for debt-ridden smallholder tobacco farmers
In a press release dated 20 May, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) announced it would be offering debt relief to tobacco farmers who received loans under the Tobacco Inputs Credit Scheme (TICS) but have struggled to repay them due to economic difficulties, climate issues, and viability constraints. Key relief measures include: 50% discount for farmers who…
Read MoreNavigating the ADMA Agrishow 2025
Ready for Zimbabwe’s biggest agricultural showcase? It’s not long to go until the ADMA Agrishow returns to ART Farm, Pomona, Harare Drive from June 5-7. This event brings together farmers, suppliers, and ag enthusiasts for three days of innovation, equipment, and inputs associated with agriculture in Zimbabwe. Whilst the finer details of organising an event…
Read MorePoor infrastructure degrading our export fruit quality, HDC warns
Good roads are key for exporters. We need to get our produce to markets on time, and in good shape. Bad roads delay trade, and degrade fruit quality. This harms Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in global markets. At the recently-concluded Zimbabwe International Trade Fair held in Bulawayo, Horticulture Development Council (HDC) CEO, Linda Nielsen, urged the government…
Read MoreFlying high with this Zimbabwean farmer
Mufaro Dzvova, one of Zimbabwe’s few female commercial pilots, has diversified into livestock production in recent years. She shares her unique perspective on blending her formal career with her farming passion while forging a path as part of a growing number of female farmers in the country. Flybae Ranch Mufaro founded FlyBae Ranch in 2018…
Read MoreIndigenous Nkone cattle win at the Zimbabwe Trade Fair
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which ran last week (from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 April) is held annually in Bulawayo in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city. Bulawayo’s strategic location at the crossroads of Southern Africa’s regional trade and transportation routes makes it an ideal host city for the fair. The ZITF is designed to promote trade, investment,…
Read MoreTobacco seed alert: Protecting Zimbabwe’s golden leaf industry
Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry faces a growing threat from illegal seed varieties entering the market, according to a recent report from Kutsaga Research Station. Mr. Francis Mukoyi, Head of Genetics, Biotechnology & Bioinnovations at Kutsaga, warns that unauthorised tobacco varieties are compromising both farmer profitability and the country’s reputation as a premium tobacco producer. Troubling trend Kutsaga…
Read MoreCattle inspections at Pungeni and Have Hook Nkone Studs
Leading up to the ADMA Agrishow’s Indigenous Livestock exhibition and sale (June 5-7), participating cattle producers are working on finalising their selection of animals for submission. As the show is being held under the administration of the Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) where animals intended for the event must be registered with the ZHB, an integral…
Read MoreFinding solutions to human-wildlife conflict in Namibia’s farming communities
In the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), an innovative approach to human-wildlife coexistence is transforming the lives of farmers and wildlife alike. The work done by the Kwando Carnivore Project (KCP) in Namibia’s Zambezi Region demonstrates how thoughtful conservation strategies can protect both livelihoods and lions. A chance meeting with Tanaka Muradzikwa, a Zimbabwean working with…
Read MoreShowcasing 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…
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