Grace Mafaune

• Design and implement research projects based on the identified gaps and problems and prepare research protocols on; Sustainable Plant Production Systems, Integrated Soil Fertility and Microbiology Conservation agriculture and other farmer driven interventions. • Collect, characterize and conserve legume plant and microbial genetic resources for research and rhizobia inoculant production • Coordinate activities for Production, Awareness, Distribution and Quality control of grain and pasture legume inoculants • Implement greenhouse, on-station and on-farm research trials to facilitate effective testing and adoption of technologies • Analyze and synthesize data from research trials, writing technical and scientific reports and publications • Establish collaborative programmes with public-private sector organizations such as the sister institutes in the DRSS, seed companies, agrochemical companies, non-governmental organizations & universities; to supplement the government budget and for knowledge and information exchange • Performance management, supervision and appraisal of subordinate (factory, field & laboratory) staff • Offering advisory and training services to tertiary students, farmers and relevant agro-business stakeholders on principles of sustainable and cost cutting technologies in plant production, germplasm conservation, essentiality of soil testing and fertilizer recommendations • Conduct seminars and participate in conferences and workshops to present research results and disseminate information on soil fertility & microbiology. • Provide soil testing expertise and fertilizer recommendations for all field and horticultural crops grown in Zimbabwe.