Dr. Cosmos Magorokosho
PRESIDENT
Currently working at CIMMYT Zimbabwe as a Maize Breeder, Country Representative for CIMMYT as well as Project Leader for Stress Tolerant Maize for Africa (STMA) Project. A holder of a PhD in Plant Breeding from Texas A&M University, a Masters in Plant Breeding obtained from the University of Zimbabwe and a BSc Honours degree in Agriculture (Crop Science) also obtained from the University of Zimbabwe. I started my career as Technical Assistant in the Maize breeding program at CIMMYT Zimbabwe in 1991, moved on take on various roles in an Agriculture Relief and Development program with World Vision International in Angola between 1997 and 2002, and reverted to maize research with CIMMYT as a Maize Breeder since 2005.
Dr. Meluleki Zikhali
VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Meluleki Zikhali is a molecular scientist with Seed Co with special interest in marker assisted molecular breeding. Before that he was with the John Innes Center in Norwich, UK. He obtained his PhD in Molecular Genetics and MSc. Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement from the University of East Anglia in United Kingdom and his BSc Applied Biology and Biochemistry from National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe
Mrs.Tendai Hove
SECRETARY
Mrs.Tendai Hove is a holder of a Master of Science in Crop Science. She has over eight years of experience in maize breeding, seed production and marketing research products. She has a deep passion for poverty alleviation through sustainable interventions. Currently she is working in sales and marketing with Mukushi seeds
Mrs Tambudzai Chikutuma
TREASURER
A Seed Technologist in charge of Plant Breeders Rights and Registration of Seed Companies with Seed Services Institute of DR&SS. She has an MBA (NUST, Zimbabwe), BSc Agriculture Management (ZOU, Zimbabwe), Diploma in Agriculture and a Certificate in Project Management (UZ). Tambudzai has more than 17 years of experience in the seed sector
Dr. Casper Nyaradzai Kamutando
COMMITTEE MEMBER (training institutions)
Dr. Casper Nyaradzai Kamutando is a Senior lecturer in the Department of Crop Science at the University of Zimbabwe. He holds a PhD in Genetics from the Center for Microbial Ecology and Genomics (University of Pretoria, South Africa), obtained in 2018, a Masters in Crop Science (Plant Breeding option: Distinction) and a BSc Honours Degree in Agriculture (Crop Science), both obtained from the University of Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2012, respectively. His research interests spans across; Plant breeding, Metagenomics, Microbial Ecology and Plant-microbe Interactions
Mr. Roger Van Rooyen
COMMITTEE MEMBER (seed companies)
Mr. Roger Van Rooyen is currently employed at National Tested Seeds as a Production and Specialized Seed sales manager.
Mr Tatenda Mayaya
Committee Member (students)
Mr Tatenda Mayaya is a plant breeder by training. He is a University of Zimbabwe graduate where he obtained a Bsc Agriculture (Crop Science) 2017, Msc Crop Science (Plant Breeding) 2019, Certificate in Project Management (2019), and currently enrolled for MBA (pending 2022). Previously he was a student Research Assistant at CIMYMT (2017-2019) and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Crop Science, UZ. Tatenda is passionate about leadership development and is the current chairperson of the Leadership Development Network in Zimbabwe. He enjoys reading and listening to motivational material, fishing, golfing, gardening and photography
Mr. Prince Matova
COMMITTEE MEMBER (research institutions)
Mr. Prince Matova is the national maize/cowpea breeder with the Crop Breeding Institute. He started his career as a cowpea breeder in 2006 and then switched to maize breeding in 2016. He holds MSc. Crop Science (Plant Breeding & Genetics) and a BSc. Honours degree in Agriculture both obtained from the University of Zimbabwe.
Dean Muungani
Immediate Past President
Currently employed as Seed Co Head of Product Development. A holder of a Masters in Business Administration obtained from the University of Zimbabwe in 2013, a Masters in Plant Breeding & Seed Systems obtained from the University of Zambia in 2010 and a BSc Honours degree in Agriculture (Crop Science) obtained from the University of Zimbabwe in 2003. Started my career as a Maize Breeder with the Crop Breeding Institute in 2003, then joined Agriseeds in 2007 as a Maize Breeder and promoted as Head of Research. Joined Seed Co as a Senior Maize Breeder in 2014, later appointed Head of Stapleford Research Centre in 2015 and then Head of Product Development in 2016.