The Agricultural Research Trust (ART) Summer Open Day is a cornerstone event for Zimbabwe’s farming community, bringing together farmers, researchers, and industry professionals to explore cutting-edge developments in agriculture. This annual gathering transforms ART’s research farm into a dynamic hub where attendees can witness variety and agro-input trials of essential summer crops—maize, sorghum, soya, and sunflowers—alongside the latest advancements in farming technologies.
With the theme “Regeneration,” this year’s event reaffirmed ART’s commitment to continuous improvement in crop and livestock research. For over four decades, ART has played a pivotal role in driving agricultural innovation at both local and regional levels. The research farm serves as a testing ground where leading seed houses and agrochemical companies conduct extensive trials under controlled conditions, evaluating new crop varieties, advanced inputs, and emerging farm management strategies before they reach the market.
The Summer Open Day provided an opportunity for visitors to tour demonstration plots showcasing high-yielding, pest-resistant, and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Over 400 attendees engaged in side-by-side comparisons of different agricultural inputs and management techniques, interacted with technical experts from leading companies, and gained insights into sustainable farming methods, pest control strategies, and mechanisation options. The event also fostered valuable networking among farmers, agronomists, and industry leaders.
What sets the ART Open Day apart is its unbiased, research-driven approach, where multiple commercial players, including major seed houses and agrochemical firms, present their products in an objective environment. This allows farmers to make informed, evidence-based decisions about the best inputs and techniques for their farms.
Beyond product showcases, the event underscored broader research themes, including regenerative agriculture, soil health management, climate-smart farming, and adaptable mechanisation for different scales of farming operations.
Minister’s Address: Adapting to Changing Climate Patterns
In a speech delivered on his behalf, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Hon. Dr. Anxious Masuka, urged ART to focus on shorter-season, high-yielding crop varieties to address Zimbabwe’s increasingly erratic rainfall patterns.
“Recent seasons have shown irregular rainfall patterns, with a short, intense growing period of just 60-90 days. We need crop genetics that can thrive under these conditions, with improved water and nutrient efficiency, lower fertilizer dependency, and enhanced attributes for traditional grains, such as bird tolerance and better processing quality.”
Tackling the Fall Armyworm Threat
The Minister also announced that, in response to the ongoing threat of Fall Armyworm (FAW), the Government will mandate seed dressing for all maize and sorghum seeds starting in the 2025/26 season. A Statutory Instrument is in development, with consultations underway to finalize the regulations. He urged farmers to remain vigilant, continue scouting their fields, and promptly report any FAW or African Armyworm infestations as required by law.
Addressing Late Payments in Agriculture
Acknowledging concerns over delayed payments to farmers and input providers, the Minister noted that while the Government remains the largest purchaser of seed, fertilizer, and agrochemicals, reliance on government contracts has created financial bottlenecks for suppliers. He assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to develop a long-term, sustainable solution to improve payment processes across the agricultural sector.
For commercial farmers and agricultural professionals, the ART Summer Open Day remains an invaluable opportunity to stay at the forefront of innovation, gain practical insights, and connect with the broader farming community.
