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Agriculture Reporter
The International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is committed to assisting Zimbabwe in small grain seed multiplication to boost food security, soil fertility and income of smallholder farmers.
ICRISAT deputy director-general (research) Dr Laxmipath Gowda told Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made in Harare yesterday that they were willing to work with Government and other partners to assist smallholder farmers in dry areas.

“We want to assist farmers in producing cereals and small grain crops like chick peas, millets and groundnuts,” he said. “ICRISAT is committed to work in Zimbabwe.

“There have been rumours in the last few years that the organisation was not continuing. Our efforts in the last years have been minimum due to economic challenges.”

Dr Gowda said ICRISAT wanted to expand its operations in Zimbabwe.

“Our new regional strategy is to promote inclusive market-oriented operations to incentivise farmers,” he added. “Farmers should benefit from their crops and not the middlemen. Most benefits go to the middlemen and processors instead of the producer.”

Dr Made said it was good that Dr Gowda had visited Africa when the region was concentrating on nutrition and food security.

“We appreciate the position that you have been with us when the traditional funders did not have adequate funds. ICRISAT staff stayed on,” he said.

“I agree with you that more benefits should go to farmers. Our capacity should not be exploited by the middlemen.”

Dr Made underscored the importance of research in seed multiplication.

“There is great work being done at institutes such as Matopos Research Station in particular production of sorghum, pearl and finger millets, and pulses.

“We want to expand on such crops,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Japanese delegation visited Dr Made to discuss empowerment of smallholder farmers.

The delegation was accompanied by Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Yonezo Fukuda.