Chimedza donates to Gutu community

pivotal role in the enhancement of food security hence the need for them to be adequately resourced.
He was addressing villagers and community leaders at Mupandawana Growth Point where he donated 27 bicycles for extension officers drawn from various wards in the district.
Dr Chimedza, who has spearheaded various other projects in the district, made the donation as a way of giving back to the community where he was brought up.
“There is need to capacitate extension officers because there is a serious international threat of food shortage, once they are supported we are assured of sufficient food in the community,” said Dr Chimedza.
He urged the farmers to work hard and desist from reliance on donors. Dr Chimedza said the Gutu community he knew used to be hardworking but slumped into a basket case when a donor came in. There was now danger of starvation at the expiry of the three year assistance from the donor. He assured the community that he will continue supporting them but urged them to fully utilise the land as hunger did not spare anyone irrespective of one’s political persuasion.
“Agritex officials are apolitical, they assist everyone to ensure good yields whether you are Zanu-PF, MDC, NDU or Mavambo. They ensure that everyone fights hunger, vanoda kuti munhu wese agute, chero ukazorasika zvako iwe wakaguta , izvo zvavazvako,” said Dr Chimedza.
District agricultural extension officer Mr Simon Karedzera lauded Dr Chimedza, saying his donation would ensure greater mobility by extension officers.
“We have about 140 extension officers  and it was only myself and two or three others who were mobile because we have motor bikes. With this donation we would be able to be at every homestead to impart agricultural knowledge for the benefit of everyone, and the country as a whole,”  he said.
Gutu Rural District Council representative, Mrs Bertha Chikwama said while Gutu has produced many educated persons, very few have been coming back to work with the community.
“Gutu has several educated people but it is only few people, like Dr Chimedza who are coming back. Vamwe vodyiroko kuHarare ikoko,” she said.
It was gratifying, said Mrs Chikwama, to note that Dr Chimedza chose to assist civil servants like extension officers.
“Politicians go to their folks, very few would think of civil servants, and this makes what Dr Chimedza has done very significant because he chose to work with civil servants,” she said.
l See picture on Page 8