Research Institute Sections and Research Development Thrust

5.1 Pasture Research

The section is responsible for introduction and evaluations of forages for use by all classes of livestock and has a staff establishment of 25. The section has permanent star grass pastures and arable land for annual forage crop production studies. The rest is legume reinforced veld/ natural veld comprising mostly hills and rocky areas. The Section has capacity to carry 149 livestock units. The cattle herd comprise of indigenous and crossbred dairy cattle.

5.2 Dairy Research

This section is responsible for all research in breeding, herd management and nutrition of dairy cattle. This unit was set up as a model dairy unit to survive on 25 ha of pasture, 58 ha natural veld and 57 ha of arable land for maize silage and grain production. The unit has a 12-point herringbone-milking parlour which can milk 200 cows at optimum capacity.

5.3 Beef and Small Ruminants Research

This section comprises of two units, the beef unit and goat/sheep unit. The beef unit comprises of beef animal grazing paddocks. The goat unit comprises of about 200 ha and is located in the hills. Most of the beef unit land is along the Dasura riverbanks and hilly boundaries of the institute. The section also has star grass pastures. The Beef and Small Ruminants Section has cattle comprising of the Mashona and Brahman and crossbreeds, Small East Africa/ Mashona goats, and Sabi, Merino and crossbred sheep. The area is on natural veld and browse and is not suitable for cropping.

5.4 Fisheries Research

The unit comprises of 36 earth ponds and 37 concrete tanks. The section is located at the banks of Dasura river and most of the area around cannot be utilized for crop production due to waterlogging. The section also has a 60-sow piggery unit.

5.5 Poultry Research

Poultry section was transferred from Gwebi Agricultural College to Henderson Research Institute in 1975. The unit is responsible for research on poultry nutrition and management. The section has about 20ha arable land that was set up to produce crops for use in poultry diets. The section has capacity to hold 8,000 birds, including broilers, layers, indigenous chickens and guinea fowls.

5.6 Estate Section

The section is responsible for cropping about 200ha for production and research. The section has about 25 ha irrigable land at its disposal. The section is also responsible for the maintenance of farm roads, boundary fence, fireguards and general upkeep and monitoring farm buildings, staff housing and station security.

5.7 Laboratory Section

The section is responsible for analyzing feed, forage and animal products for all sections. This section also offers surrounding farmers (and elsewhere in the country) with analytical services for feeds and feed ingredients.

5.8 Administration

The section deals with all financial transactions involving both the fiscus and ARF. The section is responsible for procurements and payment to service providers. They provide typing and registry service to the institution.

 5.9 Human Resource Base

Table 1 Staff compliment