Online Reporter
KUTSAGA RESEARCH has appointed Mrs Rhoda Mavuka as the inaugural executive director of the institute’s production and operations segment.
The appointment is with effect from April 2, 2024.
Mrs Mavuka has been head of the crop production and molecular technologies division at the research station since 2018.
Kutsaga made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday.
“We wish her the best, as she joins the Kutsaga executive team in implementing the Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy and the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Strategy, critical elements of NDS1 (National Development Strategy 1) in pursuit of Vision 2030,” said Kutsaga.
Mrs Mavuka is an experienced tobacco scientist, who has worked at the Tobacco Research Board for 19 years.
She started as a research officer in 2004, was promoted to team leader in 2015, and then assumed the role of head of the crop production and CPMT division in 2018.
“She played a pivotal role in the commercialisation of the production of Irish seed potatoes and horticultural seedlings, particularly sweet potatoes for the Presidential Rural Development Programme,” said Kutsaga.
“She also provides advisory services on pesticide management regulations to horticultural growers and the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe, the region, and internationally.”