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Wellington Dengu mHerald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association (ZSTA) has elected ARDA Seeds (Private) Limited managing director Mr Amon Mwashaireni as its president aking over from Mr Denias Zaranyika, who is Seed Co regional managing director (Zimbabwe and Southern Africa).

He will lead the association for the next 12 months when another AGM will be held to elect new leadership and will be deputised by Mukushi Seeds (Private) Limited founder and chief executive officer Dr John MacRoberts.

Accepting his new post, Mr Mwashaireni promised that during his tenure in office the ZSTA will continue to support agricultural growth in Zimbabwe through provision of high quality seed with high tolerance to diseases, pests and drought in support of the Government’s Vision 2030

“I promise to work hard towards the improvement of relations of seed companies within the association with various agricultural stakeholders. This can be achieved with transparency, teamwork and communication.”

“On behalf of ZSTA I will facilitate a new five-year strategic plan for season 2019/2020, initiate and facilitate the establishment of a National Seed Policy that will smoothen the seed operating environment in the country. I will also ensure that the country is secure in the provision of seed to various crops for exports regionally and internationally,” said Mr Mwashaireni, a career crop scientist and agro-business manager.

He was a crop breeder at the Crop Breeding Institute (CBI), Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) from 1999 to 2002 before joining ARDA in 2002 as a seed production manager. He has been the managing director for ARDA Seeds (Private) Limited since 2007.

Mr Mwashaireni holds a Master of Philosophy Degree in Agriculture (UZ), BSc Agriculture (UZ), MSc Strategic Management (CUT), EDBL (ZIM), FCIPL (CGL-UK), FCIPS (CGL-UK).

He is in his final year studies for a Doctorate in Business Administration with Binary University, Malaysia.