Authors:
Nienke Beintema, Percy Chipunza, and Lang Gao
Year:
2017
Publisher
International Food Policy Research Institute
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Strong investment growth
Agricultural research spending and staffing levels in Zimbabwe rebounded during 2009–2011 after the adoption of a multicurrency regime, which brought economic stabilization and an end to years of hyperinflation. The recent introduction of a results-based mechanism for allocating government budgets is a positive development, but the pool of available funds remains low. Agricultural R&D in Zimbabwe is primarily funded by the government but only covers salaries and operating costs. Long-term funding constraints have left agricultural research infrastructure in a state of disrepair.
Researcher capacity constraints
Long-term hyperinflation prompted the departure of the country’s most experienced agricultural researchers from both public and private institutions, the impact of which is still being felt. Within the universities, for example, for a period of time some undergraduate courses were being taught by faculty staff only qualified to the BSc-degree level. Other experienced researchers were promoted to administrative positions, but some were able to undertake MSc- and PhD-degree training. DR&SS needs to improve its research capacity by focusing on in-house training and mentorship programs.
Stronger collaboration needed
Agricultural R&D plays a critical role in driving socioeconomic transformation in Zimbabwe. Researchers are urged to focus on national challenges and pursue interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration in efforts to maximize limited resources. This calls for national, regional, and international collaboration among public and private institutions. Zimbabwe is pursuing this trajectory, but its impact has yet to manifest.
Diversification of funding
Although economic productivity in Zimbabwe has been low and in some instances declining, demand for agricultural innovation among farmers, academia, and agro-industries has grown. Other avenues to raise funding for research have not been fully exploited. The country’s tobacco research is fully funded through the revenues generated by commodity levies (and government support to ensure that the levy remains in place). Similar structures and government support are needed for other agricultural commodities to ensure the sustainability and diversification of research funding.