Local researchers are calling for the Research Council of Zimbabwe to spearhead efforts to procure functional science equipment to help equip laboratories in the country.
Scientists said this at a Research Council of Zimbabwe research results dissemination work that was held in Kwekwe recently.
They bemoaned that most universities and research centres in the country do not have the basic equipment needed for research.
“Most of our research centres lack critical laboratory equipment for research. This is my worry. Researchers continue to send their results for testing and validation in South Africa and other countries,” said Dr Claid Mujaju, director of Research Services Department in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“I have problems with this and the Research Council of Zimbabwe must come in to help procure vital laboratory equipment for our researchers.”
Other scientists said lack of laboratory equipment affected the training of scientists and the quality of their research.
Some said lack of science equipment also partly contributed to the migration of many highly motivated and well-trained scientists to developed countries where they have the resources to perform better and do meaningful research.
Lack of science equipment, poor funding for researchers and a lack of public awareness about the importance of science in the country has hampered efforts to promote research to find solutions to the problems facing the country and Africa.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) partnered with the RCZ through the Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) to fund seven Zimbabwean research projects covering agricultural biotechnology and mining technology.
At least two of the research projects are now at the commercialisation stage, a milestone for the country’s research outputs.
Results of the seven research projects were implemented during the SGCI Phase 2 programme from 2021 to 2023.
The projects were managed and implemented in collaboration with the National Commission of Science and Technology of Malawi and the Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub (BDIH).
The SGCI aims to strengthen the capacities of funding agencies in Africa to support research and evidence based policies.
A total of 17 African countries, including Zimbabwe, are participating in the SGCI programme.
At the end of the research results dissemination workshop, scientists called for the RCZ to push for the establishment of a Nanotechnology Research Centre, standardisation of biofertiliser usage, investment in laboratory equipment, strengthening of mechanisms to protect the erosion of the country’s genetic resources and the review of the country’s abattoir carcass grading system.
In addition, researchers said there was a need to develop regulations for hormonal reversals in the fisheries sector, promote research collaboration and partnerships and to find ways to incentivise researchers in their work.
Zimbabwe contributes 1 percent of its total GDP towards research and development.
Source Herald news
