Research in FAES typically addresses agricultural and environmental science research. In the field of agriculture our research aims at improving food security and it covers the entire value chain. For environmental Science the focus is on sustainable production through improving human health and safety at the workplace and development of innovative methods for managing disturbed ecosystems. Environmental research in the Faculty is broad and includes wildlife and forest ecology, restoration ecology occupational health and safety, waste management and the resultant chemical, physical and hydrological processes at varying temporal and spatial scales and their effect on surrounding communities and the environment. Our research also covers cross-cutting issues on health and safety, climate change, and agroforestry.
Field | Thematic Area | Sub-Thematic Areas |
Agriculture | Education and Extension | Extension approaches |
Economics and Management | Value chain management | |
Horticultural and Field Crops |
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Livestock |
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Environmental and Health Science
| Environmental Science |
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Forest and Plantation Science |
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Health and Safety |
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Wildlife |
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Cross-Cutting Issues | Agroforestry |
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Climate Change | Water, climate change and greenhouse gases |
Current Postgraduate Students
Four PhD and sixteen MPhil students are currently enrolled in the Faculty and perform research often in collaboration with national government and non-government organizations.
Level of Study | Name of Student | Sex | Research Topic | Superviors | |
Internal | External | ||||
PhD | Chimweta Moreblessing | F | Optimizing maize yield under flood-recession croppingin the Zambezi Valley floodplains, northern Zimbabwe | Dr. IW Nyakudya Dr. L. Jimu
| Prof. AB Mashingaidze (Chinhoyi University of Technology) |
Kubiku Friday Nguvayakwana | M | Resilience in agriculture to climate change through sustainable crop intensification: An adaptive agroecological management approach for semi-arid smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe | Prof. G Nyamadzawo |
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Magwaza Eleonor |
| Rainwater harvesting and nutrient intensification in cereal-legume farming systems in semi-arid Zimbabwe. | Prof. G Nyamadzawo Dr. R. Mandumbu |
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Musara Joseph | M | Sorghum value chain development prospects for Mbire District of Zimbabwe | Dr. L Musemwa Dr. M Mutenje Prof. C Pfukwa
| Prof. A Mushunje (University of Fort Hare) | |
MPhil | Mutetwa Edmore | M | Genetic relatedness of Zimbabwe open-pollinated maize varieties based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) and implications on morphological characterisation procedures | Mr. K Mutsengi | Dr C. Mujaju (Seed-Co ) |
Dube Simbarashe | M | Adoption of organic farming among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe | Dr. L Musemwa Dr. CT Gadzirayi |
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Fungai Gamu | F | Evaluation of adoption of conservation agriculture practices by smallholder farmers, factors influencing choice of practice and economic returns | Dr. E Zivenge Dr. IW Nyakudya
| Dr S Siziba (University of Zimbabwe) | |
Anita Chihota | F | Effect of climate change on tsetse population dynamics | Dr. TJ Zindove Mr. M Dhliwayo |
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| Takunda Dzavo | M | Relationship between morphometric traits and health status in beef cattle | Dr. TJ Zindove Mr. M Dhliwayo |
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Matope Alphonce | M | Relationship between conformation traits and heat tolerance in beef cattle | Dr. TJ Zindove Mr. M Dhliwayo |
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Pasipanodya Chiturike | M | Adoption of in-field rainwater harvesting technologies, crop crop intensification and their effects on maize yield in the semi-arid areas of Marange, Mutare District | Prof. G Nyamadzawo Mr. J. Gotosa Dr. IW Nyakudya |
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Fadzai Miriam Moyo | F | The effects of in-contour rainwater harvesting and integrated nutrient management on maize yields in semi-arid Marange toposequences | Prof. G Nyamadzawo Mr. J. Gotosa Dr. IW Nyakudya |
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Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera | M | The role of rainwater harvesting and agroforestry in improving sorghum productivity in Masvingo | Prof. G Nyamadzawo |
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Petra Gwaka |
| Effect of different residue retention strtaegies on maize cropping system productivity in Zimbabwe | Prof. G Nyamadzawo |
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Elvis Chiboyiwa | M | Occupational musculoskeletal disorders among informal welders in selected small towns of Zimbabwe | Dr. F. Ncube Mr A Kanda |
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Rukondo Lorraine | F | Effects of biochar on soil physical and chemical properties and performance of Brassica napus. | Prof. G Nyamadzawo |
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Tapiwa Makuku | F | Exploring effects of pyrolysis regimes on nutrient content and use of biochar in integrated soil nutrient management | Prof. G Nyamadzawo |
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Current Externally Funded Research
Academics are required to source external funding for research, product and service development. Some of the ongoing projects are listed below.
Project Title | Funding Organisation | BUSE Project Team | Partners |
Plant community development on a chronosequence of abandoned gold and nickel mine tailings dumps in the great dyke region in Zimbabwe | International Foundation for Science (IFS | Tatenda Nyenda (Grant Holder) | Prof. Willis Gwenzi (Supervisor) University of Zimbabwe |
Optimizing maize yield under flood recession cropping in the Zambezi valley floodplains, northern Zimbabwe | IFS International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Association of African Universities (AAU) | Ms M Chimweta (PhD student and grants Holder) Dr. IW Nyakudya Dr. L Jimu | Prof. Anold Bray Mashingaidze (Supervisor) Chinhoyi University of Technology |
Mobilization of data on non-timber forest products’ species in Zimbabwe’s five biodiversity hotspots: towards the enhancement of food security and human health | European Union (EU) | Dr. L Mujuru Dr. L Jimu Dr. J Muvengwi Dr. Admore Mureva Dr. IW Nyakudya | National Botanical Gardens Forestry Commisssion |
Use of tied-contour rainwater harvesting system in small grain and legume production for improved household food security, nutrition and income in semi-arid smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe | Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) (CARP) | Prof. G Nyamadzawo Dr. R Mandumbu Dr. B Masamha Ms A Kamota | Magamba Training Centre |
Commercialisation of sustainable broiler chicken feed with Water and climate change oleifera in partial substitution for soya cake | Finnish Southern African Partnership (SANBio) | Dr. CT Gadzirayi | University of Venda, South Africa CODCHEM Pvt Ltd. |
Major Research Activities