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Fidelis Munyoro

FRANCE says it will continue supporting the country’s research programmes and help initiatives to upturn agricultural efficiency and stimulate national development and transformation in various sectors of the economy.

The pledge by the French government attests to the Second Republic’s successes on its re-engagement policy with the international community.

France Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Laurent Chevalier said the two countries enjoy a good relationship and France was committed to take the bilateral relations of both countries to another level.

He said that France and its agencies such as CIRAD were committed to continue promoting agro-ecology and smart agriculture for climate adaptation, animal disease surveillance, capacity building through training scientists in the country.

Ambassador was speaking during the commemoration of French Agricultural Research and International Co-operation Organisation (CIRAD)’s 30-year partnership with the Government in Harare last week.

“I am happy to note that CIRAD is committed to continue supporting programmes to promote agroecology and smart agriculture for climate adaptation, animal disease surveillance, capacity building through training on the next generation of scientists,” he said.

“The commitment that CIRAD demonstrates in supporting Zimbabwe over 30 years in various areas during this period should be cherished.”

Ambassador Chevalier, citing a number of projects so far achieved and areas that still require the French support, said his country seeks to improve its cooperation with Zimbabwe providing the utmost professional and technical assistance on research for development in various areas.

A state-of-the art research laboratory built at the University of Zimbabwe at cost of US$2 million is set for commissioning sometime this week.

CIRAD has over the past 30 years worked in Zimbabwe to build a network of scientific and technical partners and collaborate with them to develop innovative sustainable development solutions, founded on solid research expertise in terms of governance and public policy, sustainable production systems, agroecology, territorial development, animal health, forest and biodiversity management, and plant and animal product processing to benefit communities.

The institutes also assist with training of scientists who then continue working in Zimbabwe and overseas.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Permanent Secretary Ambassador Tayerera Faranisi praised the invaluable technical support the country continues to get from France.

He said the historic commemoration was a clear testimony of France’s desire to support the country’s development in every aspect of improvement in modern ways.

“The commitment that CIRAD has shown in supporting over 30 projects in various sectors of the economy during this period is incredible and deserved a very warm applause of appreciation from all of us,” said Ambassador Faranisi.

“May I take this opportunity to reiterate Zimbabwe’s appreciation and acknowledgment of the positive, constructive and bridge-building approach that France has to its relationship with Zimbabwe.”

CIRAD chief executive officer Mrs Elisabeth Claverie de Saint Martin, who is in the country, extolled the achievements of the Zimbabwe- France partnership and pledged to continue supporting the country in various projects.

“CIRAD for over 30 years has been operating in the country and during this period has helped training researchers and filled the gap which was left by researchers abroad,” she said.

“With the partnerships we have managed to close the gap. It helps in training students to help mitigate brain drain.”

CIRAD Chairperson, Professor Eddie Mwenje said the country is benefiting a lot from the partnership that promotes training through research and supervises master and PHD Research projects.

“To date over 148 students from Zimbabwe and the region have completed or are in the process of completing their degrees. Also, as a nation, we managed to curb brain drain of researchers,” he said