Byo Citizen 20 February Issue 2022

Inside What is plant breeding? P9

Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022 RTGS 100.00 Est: 2015

A division of Community Newspapers of Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd

The new fees will be effected this month

CCC vice president Welshman Ncube The leader of the splinter
MDC-T Thokozani Khupe 's
Page 4 recent secret meeting with
Citizens for Coalition Change
Concrete grave (CCC) vice president
markers for Byo Welshman Ncube has divided
the party in Bulawayo.

Ncube Tuesday held a
meeting with Thokozani
Khupe in Bulawayo which
Khupe spokesperson claims
was meant to discuss issues
around voter registration ahead
of the 2023 harmonized
elections.

"The President of the MDC-
T, Dr. Thokozani Khupe indeed
met with the CCC Vice
President, Prof Welshman
Ncube. The discussions were
mainly centered around issues
of voter registration ahead of
the 2023 harmonized
elections,"

"The idea is that all
opposition political parties
must work collaboratively in
pushing for voter registration

To Page 2

President of the MDC-T, Dr. Thokozani Khupe

Page 5

Victim-friendly

vehicle misused?

No. 1 Bedford Properties, Gweru, Bulawayo Office: 29, 4th Street, Bulawayo Cell: 263 714165677

2. Byo Citizen Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022

From Page 1 Douglas Mwonzora was she enemies. In politics, people "Going forward, you will suspended from his position
learn their mistakes. Even by Khupe on the 29th of
and electoral reforms. The going to cooperate with our Tsvangirai when he died he see more of these meetings October 2020.
parties further touched on was working with Zanu PF to
jointly monitoring the party. A lot of our cadres remove the late Robert with other opposition political Gukurahundi activist and
upcoming by-elections," said Mugabe," said the party Ibetshu likazulu Director
Khupe's spokesperson deployed in both parliament activist who refused to be players. Finally, the meeting Mbuso Fuzwayo said if
Ntando Ndlovu. named for fear of Khupe 's move is genuine it
and council were recalled by victimization. agreed that this time around will motivate the voters.
The CCC's supporters
however insist that Khupe her. I know some who have Khupe spokesperson hinted going to 2023 all genuine "It is a good idea to the
and Ncube's meeting is more that more meetings are voters who are disappointed
than meets the eye. died and some are badly expected to hold in the future opposition political parties by the divisions in the
as Khupe and Chamisa seem opposition. If they genuinely
CCC Bulawayo provincial ridden because of the stress now to fight each other will have a common approach work together, it will motivate
spokesperson Swithern following years of political voters who had lost
Chirowodza described which they suffered when they squabbling over the leadership to voter registration, confidence in change," said
Khupe as a divisive person of the MDC-T. Fuzwayo.
whom he accused of were recalled," said Siziba. delimitation, and electoral
destroying the party.
However, some party reforms," said Ndlovu.
"In 2018, Khupe falsely
accused President Nelson activists defended the meeting Former MDC-T National
Chamisa of wanting to burn
her in a hut. Is she now not between the two top Organising Secretary
afraid of being burnt now?
She urged us to accept Matebeleland based Abednico Bhebhe who has
Emmerson Mnangagwa as
the winner of the 2018 politicians. joined CCC also attended the
presidential election and
urged us to give him a " In politics, there are no meeting.
chance,"
permanent friends and Bhebhe was ironically
"For a long time known as
a divisive figure with
fantastic gravitation towards
Zanu PF. She jeered us when
we were abducted and
tortured in 2019 and 2020,
causing the seizure of the
MDC-T name and Harvest
House," said Chirowodza.

He also accused the former
Deputy Prime Minister of
imposing her own cronies as
legislators in parliament
following their recalling by
her party.

"Resultantly service
delivery suffered because
communities were left
without councilors. The
MDC-T name is now
associated with confusion
thanks in part to Khupe's
behavior" said the CCC
spokesperson.

Another party activist
Naison Siziba said it will be
a monumental blunder for the
party to bring back Khupe.

"My question is if Khupe
had not been sacked by

We need to all keep making COVIDSafe
choices to help stop the spread.
ByoCitizen

Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022 Byo Citizen 3.

mining, and logistic value chains to Additionally, all the heads of missions ZITF Deputy Chief executive
improve overall economic growth in will participate extensively in the officer Stella Nkomo
recent times. They, therefore, have the diplomats' forum scheduled to take
potential to be new export markets or place during the show," said Nkomo.
good source markets for the technology
and expertise we need as we She said other countries targeted for
relentlessly pursue the objectives of the this particular round of visits include
National Development Strategy (NDS) Canada, Egypt, the European Union,
1," said Nkomo. Ghana, Germany, India, Italy,
Mozambique, Netherlands, and the
The ZITF official said the response United States of America.
has been warm and highly encouraging.
This year's trade fair is being held
"In fact, all the embassies visited under the theme "Rethink, Reimagine,
have confirmed participation in the Re-invent Value Chains for Economic
show either as exhibitors or visitors. Development."

ZITF Chief Executive officer

Nicholas Ndebele

By Bulawayo Correspondent
The Zimbabwe International Trade
Fair (ZITF) is engaging heads of
foreign diplomatic missions accredited
to Zimbabwe as a way of canvassing
their countries to participate during the
ZITF 62nd edition.

The 62nd ZITF edition will be
taking place from the 26th of April to
the 30th of 2022.

ZITF Deputy Chief executive officer
Stella Nkomo said ZITF
representatives led by the company's
Chief Executive officer Nicholas
Ndebele are currently in Harare
meeting the heads of foreign
diplomatic missions.

Nkomo said during the meetings, the
delegation will highlight the benefits
of showcasing at the fair as well as its
importance in attracting foreign direct
investment.

"Over the past two days, we have
been to the embassies of Angola,
Botswana, DRC, Ghana, Japan, Kenya,
Malaysia, Malawi, Russia, Rwanda,
South Africa, Sudan, Sweden,
Switzerland, and Tanzania. Many of
these countries were approached based
on their long-established trade and
diplomatic partnerships with
Zimbabwe, which we now seek to
build on, for example, the SADC
community,"

"As we navigate the "next" normal
post-viral era, it is important to utilize
engagement platforms such as ZITF to
continue the process of knowledge
sharing and harness the limitless
potential of our natural resources and
skills force to develop our respective
nations.

"In that regard, some of the countries
we are meeting have demonstrated
successful optimization of agricultural,

Byo Citizen

4. Byo Citizen Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022

By Elvis Dumba spend most of their time on are meant to empower them so Concrete grave
Mutorashanga - The drug their projects. For example, on that they take responsibility for markers for Byo
abuse menace amongst this farm, we have three developing economical
young people in Zvimba groups of eight young people communities. As President By Bulawayo Correspondent city. Bulawayo City Council
North Constituency mining with two groups doing poultry Emerson Mnangagwa always is grappling with a serious
areas is slowly disappearing and another carrying out a says, a country is built by its Bulawayo city council is shortage of burial space with
as the youths focus energy on piggery project," he said. own citizens. By engaging planning the introduction of one of its cemeteries West
various empowerment these young people in concrete grave markers in the Park Cemetery already
projects set up by the Using her own funds, economic activities, they will wake of rampant metal grave decommissioned.
Constituency Member of the Chombo is bankrolling various contribute towards the growth signs vandalism at the city's
House of Assembly, Marian empowerment projects for of gross domestic product graveside. The local authority is
Chombo. both women and youths in the outputs and they themselves currently relying on a wood-
constituency with some young move to the middle-income A grave marker carries fired cremator which is being
Some of the female people getting interest-free bracket," she said. details of a deceased person's operated by the Hindu
youths were traveling to loans of US$600 payable after details such as name, date of Society.
areas such as Mapinga and six months for small projects Chief Katizagombo said the birth and death, and grave
Banket for commercial sex of their choice. people of Zvimba North number. "The burial space at
work before the projects and Constituency should embrace Athlone was used up and the
now spend more time Sarudzai Chizivano, who is the economic empowerment According to the city's cemetery was to be
managing the empowerment leading a group of eight young projects being availed for latest council report, the city decommissioned for regular
projects. females in managing a piggery them. council has been facing burials with effect from the
project, said they are looking numerous challenges first week of January 2022.
Chombo has financed the forward to making out a living He applauded the MP for regarding metal grave All burials were to be moved
setting up of youth poultry from the piggery proceeds. being always there for the markers. to Umvutcha Cemetery. The
and piggery projects for needs of her constituency. He cemetery was set to receive
various youth groups. "Our lives have been encouraged stakeholders to "Over the years the city burials in the second week of
transformed by the piggery work together to ensure that used metal grave markers and January 2022 with an initial
Clemence Daniko of project as we now spend more the projects go on to a point it was noted that these were grave stock of approximately
Caesar Mine near time working on our project where those involved in susceptible to weather 200," added the council
Mutorashanga said they which has taken away time we piggery establish related elements and theft, in cases of report.
were being left behind in used to waste in selling our industries. fire became illegible.
many economic activities as bodies. We are very To avert the
they didn't have the financial appreciative of the efforts "We are hearing other "The vandalism and challenge of
capital to start any business being carried by our MP in people complaining over their destruction of the markers destruction and
resulting in many young trying to empower young MPs who have become made it difficult to identify vandalism of
people turning to drug abuse people and we are testimony missing persons in their graves, especially those that grave markers
and prostitution. to that," she said. constituencies but for these had no monuments erected on
young people in Zvimba them as they flattened out the local
"Many young people were Chombo who usually takes North, they are very blessed to with time. Failure to identify authority
turning to drug abuse to time to visit and monitor the have such an MP who is graves caused distress to proposed the
escape financial stress issues projects around the walking the talk of families when they visited the introduction of
with girls turning to constituency said her vision is empowering communities. graves of their loved ones for concrete markers
prostitution as they didn't to have economically These projects are helping varying reasons," reads part of which were
have anything to do. With empowered communities as restore our good cultures in the report. deemed more
these empowerment projects being called for by President our communities," he said. durable and of
in our areas, those problems Emerson Mnangagwa. To avert the challenge of no value to the
are now few as the youths destruction and vandalism of grave vandals.
"The projects for the youths grave markers the local
authority proposed the
introduction of concrete
markers which were deemed
more durable and of no value
to the grave vandals.

"The markers were to be
produced by the department
and engraved with a grave
number and inserted on the
grave soon after burial,"
further reads the report.

The council report also
bemoaned the low uptake of
the cremation concept in the

Hon Marian Chombo

Byo Citizen

Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022 Byo Citizen 5.

Police in Bulawayo have the concept of Victim Friendly border buses along George/ unnecessarily inconvenienced resources meant for
Court systems in the 90s by the Silundika Avenue in the city. by the operation because all our vulnerable people. I think
been accused of using government and other papers including permits are in government partners should
stakeholders, United Nations The crackdown teams order," said one bus driver who regularly monitor these
vehicles donated for the agencies such as UNICEF which was also moving refused to be named for fear of vehicles so that they are not
have been supporting the around in in several victimization. abused," said the passenger
Victim Friendly Unity Zimbabwe Republic Police highway patrol cars and city who also refused to be named
(ZRP)'s victim-friendly units council trucks descended on A passenger who had for similar reasons.
programme in its recent with vehicles and other the buses at around lunch boarded one of the Mesina
resources for the training of time. headed buses accused the At one time police in
nationwide blitz targeting the police and judiciary police of misplaced priorities. Matebeeland North were also
officers. One of the police truck a accused of using the donated
motorists driving Nissan twin cab was written "In Bulawayo, victims of vehicles to crack down on
However, some police "Victim Friendly Unit" crime are by and large women human rights defenders during
unregistered, unlicensed officers involved in the and children but you find the the time of the late President
operation were recently "The police officers police spending most of their Robert Mugabe.
vehicles without number spotted aboard the branded wanted to impound our time persecuting innocent
vehicles while raiding cross- buses but we told them that motorists and opposition
plates. we pay our parking fees to activists with those scarce
council. Our clients were
The operation, which

started on January 15, more

than 14 000 motorists

countrywide were netted,

resulting in several vehicles

being impounded.

Since the introduction of

150% budget approved To advertise with us
Call: 0714 165 677
By Bulawayo Correspondent includes refusing removal) will
The government has approved go up by 150% and for non-
Bulawayo City Council's $23, 8 domestic it will go up by 160%,"
billion, 2022 budget which will said Mpofu.
see rates going up by 150
percent. The city's spokesperson said
charges such as admission fees
The City's Corporate to stadia and swimming pools,
Communications Manager, hire of council facilities, patient
Nesisa Mpofu said the tariffs fees for use of an ambulance,
were approved Tuesday by cessation fees and similar
Local Government and Public charges classified as fees have
Works Minister July Moyo. The also been increased by 450%.
city council had proposed a
$24,7 billion budget before the "Shop, liquor, garage
government trimmed it to $23,8 licenses, trading permits route
billion. approval, development permits
route approval, development
Under the new budget rates permits and inspection fees
for domestic properties will classified as licenses will
increase by 150% while non- increase by 450 %. Council
domestic property rates will rented properties will increase
increase by 177%," by 250 %," said Mpofu.

Water charges for domestic Under the new budget sale of
consumption have been pit sand and precast products
increased by 150% while non- will increase by 626 % while
domestic use will go up by new license fees for the shop,
180%. dog licenses, and cemetery
charges will be affected
"Wastewater charges will following the gazetting of the
increase by 150% for both fees. The new fees will be
domestic and non-domestic effected this month.
users. Domestic charges for
solid waste management (which

Corporate
Communications
Manager, Nesisa

Mpofu

Byo Citizen

6. Byo Citizen Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022

COLUMN The Death Of Great Country, murdered
by its own children ( Teachers)...

By EDGAR BENJAMIN understand between right and bombs but the invasion of our which has been turned to be a we have built in the past...
wrong.. meaning we are now country and system has come Movement by the teachers of Look around our industry.. it
Great nations are competing with the best in the through the Education system today. They received good was destroyed in the name of
built by their world. and the weapons of mass education some of them Stayaways.. now all those
own inhabitants distraction used in this war are without even paying fees, but who took part in stay-aways
and it's, again the But the world doesn't see us Teachers. And they think they today they are destroying what are regretting that they
same inhabitants who can as equal so a grand plan to are fighting the government has made them man among contributed to the loss and
destroy it. Remember only destroy our education system but they have no idea they are others. closure of their companies...
the ones who believe in the is in motion who do we choose invading their own country Hope it won't be soon we shall
neighbor s way of doing as the point of entry to destroy through the sugar system the Let's all never ever ignore cry for our Education if it is
things and hate his house are the great education system... dollar mantra which we in our the signs of times... our country gone and we will regret but
its destroyer. We use the TEACHERS those motherland we don't even and education are in the time will be gone... only
who are giving the children the print. intensive unity and the because we have Teachers
My fellow countryman, right to open their eyes to the children have been taken out who have turned to be a
it's has been a great past when world too. Yes, some they have said it of oxygen as the Teachers and Movement not a profession..!
I remember our motherland before that the destruction of their Associations are giving it
making headlines as one of It's sad we forget how the a nation nowadays does not to trees forgetting that the tree If we continue in this
the best in the education Slave masters came to us. They require the use of guns and is the giver of oxygen... by the pace... our Education will be
world. This was the Great came to us as gods and now we weapons because we can all time we will realize that we laughable outside, but it was
work done by those who have have seen that they are a lot learn how to use them in days destroyed our own society and once the Best... It's time to
already gone and it's a sad they have deceived us they are and fight back, but it's now the country I hope it won't be too open our eyes before this
day that today we don't honor now trying to put the final nail use of long tactical missiles late... invasion could wipe up our
the works done by those who into us by destroying the right which are undetectable and Education system...!
built our Education system of education using our own thus it is the .... Lowering the It's not a secret anymore
for us to be one of the most Teachers. We are not seeing quality of education and that wars are now fought in ".. Never ever ignore the
educated people in the world. The Sings of Times... Some of pushing the teachers to different formations and Signs of Times.."
Look around the globe and us think that they are now more abandon lessons and children tactics... Our education system
see a Zimbabwean how his educated more than in History. whom they should be teaching has been invaded and the -EDGAR BENJAMIN
country has turned him or her not for today but for the future Teachers are the weapons used - Political and Social
to be a great person in a It's very sad that we only of the country. Now the against their children... Open
foreign land because of how think that the invasion of teachers have opened another your eyes people... we were Commentator and analyst
that person is educated. And countries like Iraq and department called Extra once the most educated society - Author and founder of
not many people see that Afghanistan was only for lessons.. but none of them has and one of the best in Africa The 7day theory
Zimbabweans have become a weapons.. it was to weaken gone through that system of but now destruction is on the
threat to the world stage their system and to destroy extra lessons because back doorstep..
because their children have their future until now those then teaching in my
opened their eyes to see and countries are suffering from motherland was a profession The future of our education
those wounds.. But back home is in our hands, let's serve and
it's no longer a war of atomic guard with our eyes open what

EDITOR
Tendai Chifunyise

REPORTERS
Vimbai Nyamukutu

Makanaka Moyo
Thandikile Dube

PHOTO JOURNALIST
Jabulani Makuluni

PUBLISHER
Community
Newspapers of
Zimbabwe

Byo Citizen

Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022 Byo Citizen 7.

the African Private Sector advocacy for a conducive environment initiative and in close collaboration
including MSMEs, women, and and product development for a with the AfBC, African business
youth to realize the Africa We competitive standardized quality value- owners will learn to make the most of
Want for a prosperous peaceful added African product," said Dr. opportunities accessible through the
integrated Africa through private Amany Asfour President of AfBC. ongoing regional integration process.
sector strengthening, policy
As part of the One Trade Africa

ITC Executive Director Pamela As the principal voice of the private sector, the AfBC is
Coke-Hamilton prioritizing the AfCFTA for the benefit of the African business

community and will seek to broaden and enhance existing
mechanisms.

By Byron Adonis Mutingwende

At the margins of the EU-Africa Business
Forum, the International Trade Centre (ITC)
signed a partnership with the Africa Business
Council (AfBC) to empower African
enterprises, especially women and youth.

Through this partnership, ITC's One Trade
Africa programme will support the AfBC in
its mandate to coordinate business support
organisations across the continent and
provide better services to the private sector.
African enterprises will also gain access to
practical information, knowledge, and skills
to improve competitiveness and their ability
to access new opportunities using the
AfCFTA among others.

During the signing ceremony, ITC
Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton
underscored ITC's commitment to enabling
micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
(MSMEs) participation in the new single
market.

"Today's institutional agreement with the
AfBC is a big step towards empowering the
African private sector to shift from trade and
investment potential to concrete business
transactions. We are fully committed to

translating economic opportunities into
commercial partnerships for African firms,
in particular SMEs, to generate profits and
decent jobs. AfBC and ITC will join forces
to ensure that the private sector is driving
the transformational agenda of Africa," said
Coke-Hamilton.

As the principal voice of the private
sector, the AfBC is prioritizing the AfCFTA
for the benefit of the African business
community and will seek to broaden and
enhance existing mechanisms.

"AfBC and ITC join forces to empower

8. Byo Citizen Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022

Econet Wireless partners
with Grassroots Cricket
Charity Organisation

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe their health and self- Econet Deputy CEO, Roy Chimanikire
has signed a three-year confidence."
partnership with Grassroots and opportunity to develop key childhood marriage, among Chimanikire, said the modest
Cricket aimed at bringing the Grassroots Cricket is life skills that they will need many others, at training camps. grant to Grassroots Cricket's
game of cricket to a new targeting to reach out to 15 000 beyond the game for Cricket," Cricket for Hope programme
generation of children in boys and girls, aged between 5 he said. Grassroots Cricket president was in line with the mobile
disadvantaged areas. and 19 years by 2023 and use Adrian Oosthuizen said the telecoms and technology
cricket as a means to positively The ambitious Cricket for project will be implemented in company's social impact
Under the partnership, the engage young people in Hope program will introduce Harare (Hatcliffe, Hopely and investment tradition.
telecommunications giant will promoting good health and cricket to youngsters, and equip Mbare) and in Bulawayo. The
provide a US$60 000 grant education. them with life skills on various project will also target to recruit "We are delighted to
that will enable Grassroots social issues, such as values, and train 50 coaches who will support a project that takes the
Cricket's Cricket for Hope The academy will also run career guidance, substance undertake training on the game of cricket to young
program to establish a cricket coaching clinics during the misuse/abuse, sexual and Cricket for Hope Project people in communities such as
league among secondary course of 2022 which will draw reproductive health, and early concept and how to run the Haticliffe, Hopely, and Mbare,
schools in high-density areas on the skills of prominent past programme. and equips them with critical
such as Hatcliffe. and present cricketers. Former life skills and values.
players, including Elton "Through the support and
"We are extremely grateful Chigumbura, have pledged solid commitment of "As a company, our
to Econet for partnering with their support, while current corporations like Econet we are investment in social impact
Grassroots Cricket. It shows Zimbabwe national captain able to implement our projects programmes, particularly
how corporations in Sean Williams had been and get kids out there enjoying those targeted at vulnerable
Zimbabwe and overseas are offering his time to Grassroots the game that we love," he said. children and young people,
able to share our vision to use Cricket. goes back for decades,
cricket to inspire positive Oosthuizen said Grassroots especially in the area of
community changes," said Econet spokesperson Fungai Cricket receives tremendous education. Our partnership
Grassroots Cricket founder Mandiveyi said the listed group support from corporations and with Cricket for Hope
Tawanda Karasa. was excited to work with companies in Australia and it continues that tradition,"
Grassroots Cricket to bring is encouraging to see a Chimanikire said.
"Many of the kids who cricket to disadvantaged and corporation with such strong
benefit from Grassroots marginalised communities in Zimbabwean community ties, The Econet grant to
Cricket for Hope projects are Zimbabwe. like Econet, playing a major Grassroots Cricket comes at a
orphans or school dropouts," role. time when the organization is
said Karasa, who grew up in "We believe the Cricket for set to receive cricket
Hatcliffe high-density suburb. Hope programme will offer real "The past three years have equipment from Australia,
"Cricket gives them a focus hope to participants from been tough on everybody generously donated by
and has a positive impact on marginalized backgrounds and worldwide as we have faced the companies and cricket
provide them with the platform global pandemic. So this supporters in that country. The
support from Econet Wireless academy will also soon
comes at a time it will really receive another consignment
benefit those young people who from the leading British sports
may have been overlooked in charity Lord's Taverners.
these tough times," he said.

Econet Deputy CEO, Roy

To advertise in the

Byo Citizen

Call: 0714 165 677

Byo Citizen

Sunday 20 - 26 February 2022 Byo Citizen 9.

Emerging in the last 120 they harvested, genetically institutions and private companies scientists also introduce non-elite and how to regulate gene edited
years, science-based modifying the species for human in 100 countries, for breeding, diversity into breeding crops is still being defined in many
plant breeding begins by use. genetic analyses, and other populations to boost their countries.
creating novel diversity research. resilience and address threats such
from which useful new varieties Modern, science-based plant as new fungi or viruses that attack Selected impacts of maize and
can be identified or formed. The breeding is a focused, systematic A century of breeding crops. wheat breeding
most common approach is making and swifter version of that process. innovations
targeted crosses between parents It has been applied to all crops, Transgenics are products of one In the early 1990s, a CIMMYT
with complementary, desirable among them maize, wheat, rice, Early in the 20th century, plant genetic engineering technology, in methodology led to improved
traits. This is followed by potatoes, beans, cassava, and breeders began to apply the which a gene from one species is maize varieties that tolerate
selection among the resulting horticulture crops, as well as to discoveries of Gregor Mendel, a inserted in another. A great moderate drought conditions
plants to obtain improved types fruit trees, sugarcane, oil palm, 19th-century mathematician, and advantage of the technology for around flowering time in tropical,
that combine desired traits and cotton, farm animals, and other biologist, regarding genetic crop breeding is that it introduces rainfed environments, besides
performance. A less common species. variation and heredity. They also the desired gene alone, in contrast featuring other valuable
approach is to expose plant tissues began to take advantage of to conventional breeding crosses, agronomic and resilience traits. By
to chemicals or radiation that With modern breeding, heterosis, commonly known as where many undesired genes 2015, almost half the maize-
stimulate random mutations of the specialists began collecting and hybrid vigor, whereby progeny of accompany the target gene and can producing area in 18 countries of
type that occur in nature, creating preserving crop diversity, crosses between genetically reduce yield or other valuable sub-Saharan Africa - a region
diversity and driving natural including farmer-selected different lines will turn out traits. Transgenics have been used where the crop provides almost a
selection and evolution. heirloom varieties, improved stronger or more productive than since the 1990s to implant traits third of human calories but where
varieties, and the crops' their parents. such as pest resistance, herbicide 65% of maize lands face at least
Determined by farmers and undomesticated relatives. Today tolerance, or improved nutritional occasional drought - was sown to
consumer markets, the target traits hundreds of thousands of unique Modern statistical methods to value. Transgenic crop varieties varieties from this breeding
for plant breeding can include samples of diverse crop types, in analyze experimental data have are grown on more than 190 research, in partnership with the
improved grain and fruit yield, the form of seeds and cuttings, are helped breeders to understand million hectares worldwide and International Institute of Tropical
resistance to major diseases and meticulously preserved as living differences in the performance of have increased harvests, raised Agriculture (IITA). The estimated
pests, better nutritional quality, catalogs in dozens of publicly- breeding offspring; particularly, farmers' income and reduced the yearly benefits are as high as $1
ease of processing, and tolerance administered "banks." how to distinguish genetic use of pesticides. Complex billion.
to environmental stresses such as variation, which is heritable, from regulatory requirements to
drought, heat, acid soils, flooded The International Maize and environmental influences on how manage their potential health or Intensive breeding for
fields and infertile soils. Most Wheat Improvement Center parental traits are expressed in environmental risks, as well as resistance to Maize Lethal
traits are genetically complex - (CIMMYT) manages a successive generations of plants. consumer concerns about such Necrosis (MLN), a viral disease
that is, they are controlled by germplasm bank containing more risks and the fair sharing of that appeared in eastern Africa in
many genes and gene interactions than 180,000 unique maize- and Since the 1990s, geneticists and benefits, make transgenic crop 2011 and quickly spread to attack
- so breeders must intercross and wheat-related seed samples, and breeders have used molecular varieties difficult and expensive to maize crops across the continent,
select among hundreds of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on (DNA-based) markers. These are deploy. allowed the release by 2017 of 18
thousands of plants over the Norwegian island of specific regions of the plant's MLN-resistant maize hybrids.
generations to develop and Spitsbergen preserves backup genome that are linked to a gene Genome editing or gene editing
choose the best. copies of nearly a million influencing a desired trait. techniques allow precise Improved wheat varieties
collections from CIMMYT and Markers can also be used to obtain modification of specific DNA developed using breeding lines
Plant breeding over the last other banks. a DNA "fingerprint" of a variety, sequences, making it possible to from CIMMYT or the
100 years has fostered food and to develop detailed genetic maps enhance, diminish or turn off the International Centre for
nutritional security for expanding Through genetic analyses or and to sequence crop plant expression of genes and to convert Agricultural Research in the Dry
populations adapted crops to growing seed samples, scientists genomes. Many applications of them to more favorable versions. Areas (ICARDA) cover more than
changing climates and helped to comb such collections to find molecular markers are used in Gene editing is used primarily to 100 million hectares, nearly two-
alleviate poverty. Together with useful traits. Data and seed plant breeding to select progenies produce non-transgenic plants like thirds of the area sown to
better farming practices, samples from publicly-funded of breeding crosses featuring the those that arise through natural improved wheat worldwide, with
improved crop varieties can help initiatives of this type are shared greatest number of desired traits mutations. The approach can be benefits in added grain that range
to reduce environmental among breeders and other from their parents. used to improve plant traits that from $2.8 to 3.8 billion each year.
degradation and to mitigate researchers worldwide. The are controlled by single or small
climate change from agriculture. complete DNA sequences of Plant breeders normally prefer numbers of genes, such as Breeding for resistance to
several food crops, including rice, to work with "elite" populations resistance to diseases and better devastating crop diseases and
Is plant breeding a modern maize, and wheat, are now that have already undergone grain quality or nutrition. Whether pests has saved billions of dollars
technique? available and greatly assist breeding and thus feature high in crop losses and reduced the use
scientists to identify novel, useful concentrations of useful genes and of costly and potentially harmful
Plant breeding began around diversity. fewer undesirable ones, but pesticides.
10,000 years ago when humans
undertook the domestication of Much crop breeding is
ancestral food crop species. Over international. From its own
the ensuing millennia, farmers breeding programs, CIMMYT
selected and re-sowed seed from sends half a million seed packages
the best grains, fruits, or plants each year to some 800 partners,
including public research

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A terrible way to go for a gentle fella

Former Warriors,
CAPS United and
Bidvest Wits left

back Charles
Yohane

Those who knew him on a footed left back lost his life, took his car and shot him in the His former teammate goalkeeper Tapuwa ‘Campos’
personal level say he was very was terrible. head,” he told BBC Sport. Kapini, described the day
quiet. Cephas Chimedza’s Yohane was killed, as a sad day
Veteran Sports journalist For a human being who was for local football.
They also say he never Steve Vickers announced on said to be very quiet and condolence message summed
wanted limelight, he was Tuesday night that Yohane had always smilling and never “This is devastating,
simply a reserved man. been hijacked and killed in argued with anyone, the up the pain Zimbabweans are someone Father, brother, friend
South Africa, much to the manner in which he life was just gone like that, RIP Charles
Former Warriors, CAPS disbelief of the Zimbabwean taken, is beyond sad. feeling over Yohane’s death. Yohane hope the perpetrators
United and Bidvest Wits left football-loving public. will get caught and face the
back Charles Yohane was one Yohane was part of historic “Go well Warrior, it was music, Sad day for football
modest individual. He was 48. Zimbabwe squad at the fraternity,” he wrote.
His brother Lewis revealed country’s maiden appearance an honour to play alongside
We are not sure if there is the painful way in which Africa Cup of Nations Yohane’s body is expected
such thing as dying in a good Yohane breathed his last. (AFCON) finals in Tunisia in you,I learnt a lot from you. to be repatriated to Zimbabwe
way but what is certain is that “He was hijacked, they 2004. this week. SOCCER 24
the manner in which the sure- Tichirukwa hedu tiri 2 . Rest

in peace Chale,” the Belgium-

based former defender wrote

on Twitter.

Posting on the same

platform, former Warriors

We need to all keep making COVIDSafe
choices to help stop the spread.