Kutsaga fueling food security and rural growth

Kutsaga Research Station, once synonymous with Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry, is now spearheading a transformative agricultural revolution, pivoting its scientific prowess towards rural industrialisation and national food security.

This monumental shift, lauded by Agriculture Permanent Secretary Prof. Dr. Obert Jiri at the recent ZITF 2026, marks a critical stride in aligning research with commercial viability and the nation’s ambitious Vision 2030 agricultural agenda.

Prof. Dr. Jiri said Kutsaga’s innovative expansion beyond its traditional mandate.

He specifically praised the station’s success in developing tissue-cultured virus-free sweet potatoes and pioneering industrial hemp cultivation.

These initiatives exemplify how institutional expertise can be leveraged to create commercially viable products, underscoring the imperative that research must be commercialised to ensure its long-term sustainability.

“Kutsaga’s transformation is not just about diversifying crops, it is about building resilient value chains that directly benefit our rural communities,” said Prof. Dr. Jiri.

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This strategic redirection aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on single commodities, thereby shielding farmers from the volatile impacts of market fluctuations and climate change.

The move is a direct response to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which prioritises agricultural transformation as a cornerstone for economic growth and stability.