Zimbabwe International Research Symposium 9Th Edition Book of Proceedings
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Zimbabwe International Research Symposium 9th Edition Book of Proceedings 13 - 14 FEBRUARY 2013 Theme: “Driving Socioeconomic Development through Research Output” ISSN: 978-797 ORGANISING COMMTTEE Dr. D. Garwe Chair, Research Council of Zimbabwe Mrs. S. Muzite Research Council of Zimbabwe Professor F. Tagwira Africa University Dr. A. Murwira University of Zimbabwe Dr. P. Muredzi Harare Institute of Technology Ms. F. Mupazviriwo Industrial Development Corporation Mrs. M. Maume National Biotechnology Authority Ms M. Phiri-Shana Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe Mr. D. Mutandaware Catholic University of Zimbabwe Mr. D. Kutywayo Department of Research and Specialist Services Dr. E. Kapuya Scientific Industrial Research and Development Centre Dr. C. Mahamadi Bindura University of Science Education Professor M. Shoko Great Zimbabwe University Mr. T. Dube Lupane State University Dr. D. Munyangarirwa Africa University Dr. D. Hlatywayo National University of Science and Technology Professor C. Nhachi University of Zimbabwe Professor D.Z. Moyo Midlands State University Mr. W. Ganda Ministry of Science and Technology Development Dr. L. Nyaruwata Zimbabwe Open University Dr. S. Mlambo Chinhoyi University of Technology Professor C Nherera Women's University in Africa Dr. U. Ushewekunze-Obatole Zimbabwe Academy of Science Professor Chisaka Zimbabwe Open University Contents: Editorial ………………………………………………………………… page i SYMPOSIUM PROGRAMME Official Opening Speeches A - K……………………………………………… page A PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE SYMPOSIUM Section I: Agricultural Sciences……………………………………..…… page 1 Section II: Environmental Sciences ……………………………………… page 183 Section III: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health…………………. page 393 Section IV: National Security……………………………………………... page 466 Section V: Social Sciences…………………………………………………. page 510 © Research Council of Zimbabwe. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Research Council of Zimbabwe. EDITORIAL The Zimbabwe International Research Symposia (ZIRS) are held biennially by the Research Council of Zimbabwe, (RCZ). The overall purpose is to bring together researchers, policy makers and industrialists from within and outside Zimbabwe. Since 2007 the RCZ has successfully held eight symposia’ with the following Themes; • 2007: Knowledge Based Development for Zimbabwe • 2004: Impact of Innovative Science and Technology on National Wealth Creation • 1999: A century of Science and Technology Challenges for the Next Millennium • 1996: Towards Capacity Building in Science and Technology • 1994: Advances in Productive and Sustainable Applied Technologies • 1992: Innovation, Self Reliance and Development • 1990: No theme • 1988: No theme • 2013 Driving Socioeconomic Development through Research Output. The objectives of the present symposium (ZIRS 2013) are; • To provide a platform to stimulate and sustain informed decision making in all facets through research. • To enable researchers, policy makers and users of research results in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world to exchange information, research findings and ideas. • To promote smart partnerships among researchers, industry, commerce and various stakeholder communities so as to ensure application of research findings. • To create new knowledge for sustainable development. • To pay tribute to hard work, dedication and achievement by the country’s finest researchers. • To cultivate use of research results in industry including the service industry, commerce and government. • To motivate young researchers to strive for excellence in research. • To encourage application of research findings. • To promote informed decision making. i • To celebrate research excellence. In all, the symposium received 54 papers, 52 of which were accepted by the reviewers and 47 papers were presented at the symposium that is 90% of the accepted papers were physically presented. This in itself was a very respectable achievement. It is from all the accepted papers that the current PROCEEDINGS are generated. The proceedings are presented as five distinct sections under the headings Agricultural Sciences; Environment and Natural Resources; National Security; Health Sciences; and Social Sciences. The sections were drawn from the National Research Priority Area, which were the focus of the symposium, which are 1. Social Sciences and Humanities 2. Sustainable Environment and Natural Resources Management 3. Promoting and Maintaining Good Health 4. National Security The opening addresses are preceded by the Keynote speech which was appropriately titled “REALISING THE POTENTIAL OF SCIENCE AND TECNOLOGY TO IMPROVE AFRICAN LIVELIHOODS”. The keynote speech gave a sobering reminder of the contradictions inherent in the economic growth, science and technology in Africa. While there is a general annual growth of 5% across Africa, up to 40% of the populations live below the poverty datum line. In a sense, the keynote speech set the scene for the presentation of the plenary papers. The speech hinted on the agricultural sciences potential of Africa by informing the delegates that 60% of the world’s uncultivated land and 25% of land for agriculture is in Africa. However we have to take cognisance of the fact that perhaps one of the major and route cause of Africa’s problems is that there is limited exploitation of science and technologies. The symposium is one way of demonstrating that there is an attempt to addressing this problem. In particular, most of the agricultural papers presented at the parallel sessions have a palpable applied science and technological slant. The paper on the comparison of the effectiveness of organic manure, inorganic fertilizers and integrated soil fertility management on coffee plant growth is one example, so is the use of plant extracts to control plant pathogens in “Efficacy of Botanical Extracts from Garlic on controlling Potato Soft Rot Pathogens”. The use of satellite remote sensing to estimate maize yield is a paper which seemed to directly answer the call from the Keynote Speech. The recent diamond boom in Zimbabwe is topical globally. It is therefore gratifying that the “Environment and Natural Resources” section had a paper presented on “Automation systems for the Optimisation of Diamond processing Technologies in Zimbabwe”. The paper reported on the results of an evaluation of the level of scientific and technological preparedness of ii Zimbabwe compared to other global diamond processing industries. Ultimately the objective is to add commercial value to the diamond industry in Zimbabwe. This is a positive direction to take for Africa in general as far as exploitation of its natural resources is concerned. In the “Promoting and Maintaining Good Health” section it is pointed out that use and implementation of Electronic Health Records significantly revitalises health delivery, as it is cost effective, efficient and it increases patient safety. One of the Social sciences papers reveals that the socio-cultural impact of electronic media on youth points out that youth spent a lot of time on electronic media and they seem to benefit by getting educational value, research skills and social networking skills. The few papers quoted here give a glimpse of the diversity and scope of the research work being conducted especially in Zimbabwe. One hopes and is encouraged to believe that this trend will continue into the next symposium and the next one after that and so on! Chief Editor Professor CFB Nhachi iii ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PROGRAMME : 13-14 FEBRUARY 2013 Theme : Driving Socioeconomic Development through Research Output 13 February 2013 Time Activities 0730-0900 Arrival, registration and teas 15 mins PLENARY SESSION : Chairman : Dr C Maponga 0900-0915 Objectives of the ZIRS and symposium logistics in plenary (Dr D Garwe) iv PARALLEL SESSIONS 1: SOCIAL SCIENCES AND 2: ENVIRONMENT 3: AGRICULTURE 4: PRO MOTING AND HUMANITIES Morning Chairman: Morning Chairman : MAINTAINING Morning Chairman: Dr A Murwira Prof M Shoko GOOD HEALTH Dr F Mangena Venue : Committee Room Venue: Committee Room Morning Chairman: Venue: Committee Room 6 5B 5A Prof C F B Nhachi Venue: First Mezzanine 1000-1020 Socio-cultural impacts of electronic Soil erosion and its effects Soil quality and cropping Dental fluorosis : Prevalence and media and the prevalence of media on arable land and river patterns in Mutema severity of dental fluorosis amongst 5- education skills: A nexus of systems of Zimbabwe. Is irrigation scheme, 6 and 12-16 year olds in Tsholotsho concoctions for positive youth this a catchment Zimbabwe district : Zimbabwe culture development management issue: A look (Mr A Chemura) (Mr C Dunga) (Ms L Jambaya) beyond the fast track of land reform program (Mr K Nyoni) Time Activities 1020 -1040 The Socio-economic Climate change, institutional Evaluation of promising Impact of a preventive maintenance impact of vocational education arrangement, sustainable spring bread wheat program for HVAC systems in skills training centres among the agriculture and climate (Triticum Aestivum L) hospitals: A case study of Kitwe Bulawayo youths during the period change adaptation in Chivi breeding lines under central hospital 2008 to 2012: A case study of district, Zimbabwe irrigated multi- Lobengula and Sizinda training environment conditions in (Dr B Mwanza) centres (Mr H Chikowa) Zimbabwe(Mr