Harmony Agere and Tanyaradzwa Rusike

ZIMBABWE is taking its innovation drive seriously.

Though still in its infancy stages, the drive is being taken up with enthusiasm, especially amongst the academics.

Economists maintain that in the 21st century, innovation has become the heart and soul of economic policy.

They add that developed and developing nations alike are in the race to leave industrialisation and adapting to technology-focused entrepreneurial societies.

It is in that light that the Government’s adoption of a competence-based education system, as a driver for economic growth, is beginning to bear fruit.

This is evidenced by the quality of technological exhibitions at the just ended Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS).

Dubbed: “Technology, Innovation, Modernisation; Accentuate, Accelerate,” the annual exhibition, now in its 109th edition, had most of its displays inspired by modern science and technology.

Of note was the demonstration of research skills by primary students as young as 10.

One such case is the development of a soil moisture sensor by Grade 5 pupil Tinotenda Maweya from Avondale Primary School.

The gadget detects the amount of moisture required by a plant at any given time.

Chairperson for Primary and Secondary Education Ministry exhibitions at Zimbabwe Agricultural Show Mrs Anatoria Ncube said the designs were inspired by the new education curriculum.

“Research is one of the five pillars of the competence-based curriculum which emphasises the development of skills, critical thinking, acquisition of knowledge, acquisition of relevant attitudes and this is what our learners are actually demonstrating,” she said.

“We have learners from Early Childhood Development (ECD) who learn through play and learners from the junior module, that is from Grade 3 to 7, demonstrating research skills.”

Another project was the movable greenhouse designed by Seke High School Lower Six students Tanaka Mutsvene and Davison Musenyani.

“We invented the movable greenhouse after realising that most tenants in flat apartments have no gardens,” said Tanaka.

“With the greenhouse, they will be able to plant their crops and can easily take it with them when they relocate.”

The design is likely to boost urban farming and has earned the students a study trip to Tunisia where they will share ideas with other young researchers.

There was a high uptake of modern technology by agricultural exhibitors with greenhouse technology, irrigation equipment and drought resistant seed varieties drawing huge attention.

In an interview at the Exhibition Park, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos said he was impressed by exhibitions on modern technology.

“That is where we want our people to get, especially the youths,” he said.

“We also have this innovative concept we are developing for small scale horticultural farmers whereby we will set up hubs with self-contained plots.

“Everything is done on the plot, cold rooms, storage and so on. The produce leaves the plot straight for export.”

To counter power shortages, some firms are now developing water efficient and manually operated irrigation systems.

A tour by The Sunday Mail at most exhibition stands showed that most of the products on display were being spearheaded by teams of university students or recent graduates.

The development shows a breakaway from the old theory-based education system to Education 5.o which emphasises innovation and industrialisation.

Under the Education 5.0 model, innovative ideas are incubated from abstract concepts to industrial products in university innovation hubs.

Some of the innovations which are at an advanced stage of the incubation process are foods and medicines extracted from indigenous plants.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care officials, some of the products are now undergoing rigorous testing.

Also on exhibition were products inspired by the recent Cyclone Idai disaster which devastated some parts of Manicaland early this year.

In partnership with a local firm, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has developed a smart house which can cope with natural disasters.

The house is made of reinforced walls, concrete flows and smart solar tiles.

“We are partnering the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing which is doing a smart house demonstration for the Chimanimani area which was affected by cyclone Idai,” said Mr Fungai Ashley of Orangerose Investments.

“The design involves improving the outer layer of the house and the reinforced concrete foundation.”

To cater for destroyed power lines, the smart house concept is equipped with solar roofing tiles to provide electricity.

With the country driving towards research and innovation, ZAS, which ended yesterday, proved to have provided a platform to advance the drive.