AREX RESEARCH STATIONS
Horticultural Research Institute
Chisumbanji Experiment Station
Kadoma Cotton Research station
Organizational
Structure
The Department of Research and Extension under the Ministry of
Agriculture is divided into a Livestock Division and a Crops Division.
The
Horticultural Research Institute is part of the Crops Division and has
3
stations/units around the country. Researchers are grouped into teams,
each
team being responsible for a particular group of crops or programs.
Climate
Zimbabwe is tropical and subtropical with rainfall range 400->1000
mm per year depending on the agro-ecological zone. Mean minimum
temperatures in winter are below 10 °C, while maximum temperatures
are in excess of 25 °C. Eastern highlands climate is more-or-less
temperate.
Geography
Zimbabwe is situated in Africa between 15-22° S, and 25-33° E.
The country has a mostly Savannah type vegetation. The altitude is
above 1200 m for the highveld, 600-1200 m for the middleveld and
300-600 m for the lowveld.
Horticulture
Production of flowers, vegetables, tropical and sub-tropical fruits and
deciduous fruits is done in Zimbabwe.
Distribution of Horticulture
Horticultural crop production is countrywide. Glasshouse culture of
flowers is particularly concentrated near the capital Harare. Deciduous
fruits are mainly produced in the highland areas.
Research Thrusts
Research is done by the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Research
and Specialist Services) through the Horticulture Research Institute.
Nature of Institutes
The Horticulture Research Institute has 3 Research Stations/units,
dealing with particular groups of crops. Cultivar evaluation/selection,
physiological studies, agronomy, plant protection, plant propagation
and post-harvest handling are major areas of research.
Research
Programs
Research programs in the Horticulture Institute fall under teams: i.e.
Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers, Post-harvest.
Address:
P.O. Box 810
Marondera
Telephone No.
(+263) 79-24122