Agricultural Research Council calls for stronger farmer–research–policy linkages

HARARE – The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) on Tuesday brought together farmers, researchers, industry leaders and policymakers at its 2026 Agri‑Innovation Field Day, calling for stronger linkages between farmers, research institutions and policymakers as Zimbabwe works to safeguard food security amid climate abnormalities.


The event was held under the theme “Bridging the Gap among Farmer–Research–Extension–Industry–Policy and Consumer: An Agri‑Innovation Field Day for Researchers, Scholars, Farmers, Advisory, Policy and Industry in Zimbabwe.”

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri, Dr Dumisani Kutywayo said Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector stands at a critical juncture where collaboration is essential to confront climate change, market volatility and food security pressures.

“This theme is not merely symbolic; it encapsulates the collective aspirations of all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to work together for a common goal — the advancement of sustainable and productive agriculture in Zimbabwe,” Kutywayo said.

He urged researchers to prioritise practical, farmer‑centred projects and called on advisory services to act as the vital bridge between research and field practice. Kutywayo also emphasised the importance of value addition, saying Zimbabwe must move beyond exporting raw commodities and instead process maize into mealie meal, fruits into juices and livestock into meat and dairy products to create jobs and drive rural industrialisation in line with NDS1, NDS2 and Vision 2030.

With climate scientists warning of a possible Super El Niño and depressed rainfall in the coming season, Kutywayo said farmers, researchers and extension officers must adopt resilient practices and contingency plans to protect yields and national food security.

Gilbert Otieno of Kenya, Seed System Assistant at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) under the TAAT programme, stressed the role of young people in driving uptake of climate‑smart crops.

“The importance of African youths’ involvement in smart resilient varieties cannot be overstated if we are to complement food security and sufficiency,” Otieno said.

AATF Communications Officer George Achia added that embracing climate‑resilient technologies is key to meeting Africa’s food security aspirations.

“We must embrace smart climate‑resilient technologies to enhance the continental food security aspirations,” Achia said.

ARC Chief Executive Officer Dr Cosmas Magorokosho underscored the centrality of research in safeguarding food security and delivering on Zimbabwe’s development agenda.

“The essence of research is to ensure food security and the realisation of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2,” Magorokosho said.

The event was attended by the Chief Director of the Directorate of Research, Education and Specialist Services, representatives of the Zimbabwe Seeds Association under TAAT, senior government and parastatal officials, farmers’ union leaders, researchers, academics, industry leaders and policymakers.

Organisers said the field day was designed to strengthen cooperation between farmers, researchers, extension services, industry and policymakers to ensure innovations reach the field and translate into higher productivity and improved incomes for farmers.