Many Zimbabweans place high hope on the Demonstration Center of China Agricultural Technology being built in Harare, which they hail as an important cog in the country's agricultural development to regain its status of "bread basket" in Africa.

Top scientist Isheunesu Mupepereki has urged the new agricultural technology demonstration center being built in Zimbabwe with the assistance of the Chinese government to focus on farmer development and establishing synergies with other centers of higher learning.

The Demonstration Center of China Agricultural Technology in Zimbabwe, which has been under construction at Gwebi Agricultural College just outside Harare since late 2009, is expected to contribute to increasing agricultural yields and alleviating hunger through science and technology transfer, personnel training and cooperation in agriculture.

Mupepereki, who is the chairman of the Zimbabwe Soya Bean Taskforce and a professor and lecturer in soil science at the University of Zimbabwe, told Xinhua that he saw the center as an important cog in the development of agriculture in the country.

"It should work closely with universities, colleges and research institutes to promote agricultural technology and ensure that farmers are better equipped for their jobs. It should also target farmer leaders and agricultural extension officers who will further impart knowledge to other farmers."

The taskforce was established to promote the growing of soya beans in the country after it was decided that the crop played an important role both as a cash crop and as food.

By Staff reporter and agencies