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Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
AGRICULTURAL and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chief executive Mr Tinotenda Mhiko has won the 2024 Africa Food Prize worth US$100 000 for his groundbreaking leadership and innovation in advancing food security through strategic irrigation initiatives which are revolutionising Zimbabwe’s food systems.
The announcement was made by former Prime Minister of Niger, Mr Ibrahim Mayaki, during the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, on Thursday.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka also attended the event.
In the citation, Mr Mhiko’s visionary leadership at ARDA was seen as a driving force in overcoming some of Zimbabwe’s most pressing agricultural challenges, such as recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall and widespread land degradation.
His bold and innovative strategies had expanded the area under irrigation from 6 000 hectares in 2016 to a projected 15 000 hectares by 2025, positioning ARDA as a model of sustainability and profitability in African agriculture.
By upgrading irrigation infrastructure, integrating advanced technologies like drip irrigation and solar-powered systems, and diversifying crop production, ARDA had significantly improved water use efficiency, boosted crop yields and strengthened resilience to climate change.
These achievements had not only enhanced food security but also spurred economic development at a national level.
Under Mr Mhiko’s vision, ARDA had also cultivated a culture of collaboration and innovation, engaging stakeholders and building partnerships with Government bodies, private sector players and international development organisations.
His work illustrated a holistic and adaptive approach to irrigation that addressed technical, economic and environmental aspects, setting a benchmark for agricultural transformation in Zimbabwe and beyond.
The US$100 000 Africa Food Prize honours Africans who are spearheading transformative agricultural initiatives. It highlights bold initiatives and technical innovations that can be replicated across the continent to foster a new era of food security and economic opportunity.
This year’s award not only celebrated individual excellence but also emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the multifaceted challenges facing Africa’s food systems.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Mhiko said: “I have worked with all classes of farmers over 15 years to improve productivity. Over time, I have found that the first step to achieving this is innovation. We have implemented impactful models alongside the use of technological innovations which have helped achieve this.”
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete praised Mr Mhiko for his exceptional contributions.
“This is an example of what transformative leadership looks like. Beyond the issues of science and innovation, there is a dimension of empowerment of farmers. You can see the impact of this vision in empowering farmers.”
The Africa Food Prize recognises groundbreaking work in agriculture and calls on governments, organisations, and individuals to support similar initiatives and invest in Africa’s agricultural future.
Each year, the prize seeks nominations for individuals or institutions that are leading efforts to transform farming in Africa, with an emphasis on poverty reduction, nutrition security, and job creation.
Nominations are reviewed based on criteria assessing the impact, scalability and sustainability of agricultural programmes.
The 2024 AFS Forum was held under the theme: “Innovate, accelerate and scale: Delivering food systems transformation in a digital and climate era.”
Online Reporter