Following the intensive presentation and discussion of papers, the experts visited the Horticultural Research Institute in Madondera, outside Harare, on 5 December 2003. The Head of the Institute, Mr Ngweruma and his Staff, provided the experts with detailed information on the on-going programmes regarding the development of root and tuber crops in Zimbabwe with particular emphasis on sweetpotatoes and Irish potatoes. Advanced techniques are being used in the nursery for sweetpotatoes and farmers are increasingly adopting this crop, given its comparative advantage in relation to maize, particularly in periods of drought, as was the case in the crop season 2002-2003.
Very interesting and fruitful exchanges and discussions took place between the Experts and the Staff from the Research Institute.
