About Us
The Agricultural Research Trust is a self-funded research and demonstration farm. Formed in 1983, ART has been at the forefront of agriculture in Zimbabwe and has international recognition for its achievements.
Who We Are
The Agricultural Research Trust (ART) is a self-funded research and demonstration farm. Since its inception, ART has been at the forefront of agriculture in Zimbabwe, earning international recognition for its contributions to the agricultural sector. The Trust is governed by a non-executive Board of Trustees consisting of five prominent farmers, and a Board of Management responsible for executive decisions, all of whom are dedicated to advancing sustainable and profitable farming practices.
Our team is led by a Director, supported by a senior management team comprising a Farm Manager, Research Manager, and Research Officer. Together, they oversee two research technicians and 85 junior staff members, all of whom are housed on the Trust Farm.
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What We Do On The Farm
ART operates a large field laboratory that serves as a hub for contract research, demonstrations, and independently funded research. This facility allows for the testing and showcasing of crop varieties, irrigation infrastructure, tillage equipment, crop protection, and fertilisation methods.
We run a commercial model farm, which endeavours to demonstrate the very best of sustainable and profitable farming. We mainly grow Maize, Soya, and Fodder crops. We also run a 400-head beef herd, and grow a small area of commercial horticulture. The profits of the farm support our independent research activities.
We also partner with agricultural organisations to showcase, demonstrate, and trade in products and services. You can see more detail about our partners here.
About The Farm
The Trust farm at 1,480m a.m.s.l. with a mean annual rainfall of 750 mm is situated 18km due North of Harare and its southern boundary is contiguous with Harare City. Land area is 560 ha, of which 250ha is arable.
There is a 67ha field laboratory and the balance of the area is taken up for commercial crop production. The field laboratory is served by a water ring main to provide full irrigation and there is sufficient water to irrigate in addition 30ha of full-season winter cover crops and supplement some 100ha of Summer grain crops.
There is a veld grazing area of 320 paddocked hectares and 14 ha of irrigated fertilised pasture. The farm runs a 400-head beef unit with an off-take of 200 head of finished steers per year. There is also a 144 sow pig unit producing 2,550 baconers per year. The Unit Practices Artificial Insemination to achieve optimum genetics.
Irrigation is supplied by double pumping from boreholes into overnight storage reservoirs and then onto the land by sprinklers
The soils are all heavy red clay derived from epidiorite and greenstone schist. Subsurface water yield and soil fertility are therefore excellent.