SIRDC Commissions New Drought Tolerant Seed Plant Through South Korea Partnership

A state of the art plant for producing drought tolerant seed varieties has been commissioned at the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in Harare, marking another step forward in the strengthening of Zimbabwe–South Korea relations.

The facility, funded under the Korea Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture, was officially handed over on Tuesday by South Korea’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Jae Kyung.

Ambassador Kyung said the project comes at a crucial time as the farming season approaches.

“I am excited about the development taking place in Zimbabwe. With the rains coming, this brings hope for food security. Completing the installation of this seed maize plant is a major milestone both for our relations and for smallholder farmers who will benefit from drought-tolerant varieties,” he said.

SIRDC and government officials hailed the gesture, saying the plant will boost agricultural innovation, create jobs and strengthen food security.

SIRDC Board Chair Mr Misheck Kachere said South Korea continues to play a strategic role in supporting Zimbabwe’s industrial development.

“We thank the Republic of Korea for its unwavering developmental support. From hatcheries that have empowered rural communities to this advanced seed maize plant, these interventions are enhancing our contribution to national food security,” he said.

Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Simba Mupondi, said the partnership aligns with the country’s rural development drive.

“With our 8.0 policy aimed at uplifting rural communities, this support, ranging from potato seed projects to drought-tolerant maize, gives us a strong advantage in adapting to climate change and speaks directly to SDG 17 on partnerships,” he said.

The commissioning of the plant comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently reaffirmed that the modernisation and mechanisation of the agriculture sector remain central to the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), as Zimbabwe works to reclaim its title as the region’s breadbasket.