Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT is strengthening the capacity of agricultural extension workers to ensure farmers receive timely information and practical support to respond to the anticipated drought and sustain food production during the 2026/27 farming season.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said extension workers were the critical link between Government and farmers and needed to be adequately equipped to implement agricultural programmes at grassroots level.
Prof Jiri was speaking on the sidelines of a prize-giving ceremony for outstanding agricultural extension workers held in Harare on Friday.
He said the awards recognised extension officers who had made a tangible contribution to improving the livelihoods of farmers in their respective areas.
“It is important that our senior officers remain closely engaged with us so that we receive guidance, direction and clear information that can be cascaded to farmers,” he said.
Prof Jiri said extension workers would be assessed on how effectively they implemented agricultural programmes and supported farmers at village, ward, district and provincial levels.
He said the anticipated drought required extension workers to play an even greater role in helping farmers prepare for climate-related risks during the coming season.
“For this particular year, we want them to ensure that all farmers are able to respond effectively to the drought that is anticipated,” he said.
Prof Jiri said extension workers were expected to mainstream the country’s six drought mitigation pillars among farmers, covering food security, livestock response, climate-smart agriculture, social protection programmes, early warning systems and coordination mechanisms.
“We expect our agricultural business advisers and officers to be able to mainstream these interventions and ensure that every farmer can respond appropriately within their area,” he said.
The Government has also been investing in digital extension services to improve the speed and efficiency with which agricultural information reaches farmers.
Prof Jiri said extension workers had been provided with tablets, internet connectivity, data, airtime and solar-powered systems, while an e-extension platform loaded onto their devices enabled them to access updated information.
“We have also developed an e-extension system, which is loaded onto their tablets. The platform is updated regularly, enabling officers to access the latest information on any subject,” he said.
The system will also help extension workers disseminate information on Government drought mitigation measures.
Prof Jiri said agricultural information was being packaged into simplified messages to enable extension workers to communicate technical issues more effectively to farmers.
Meanwhile, the private sector is supporting Government extension efforts through locally manufactured agricultural inputs, particularly in the fight against fall armyworm.
Coopers Shumba Group managing director Mr Petrus Erasmus said the company had the capacity to support farmers with locally manufactured products to combat the pest.
Speaking on the sidelines of the awards ceremony, Mr Erasmus said the company had developed a granular product specifically designed for use by small-scale farmers against fall armyworm.
“We have significant capacity to provide what the nation requires in combating fall armyworm,” he said.
Mr Erasmus said the product was developed locally and applied at specific stages of crop development to provide protection against the pest.
He said the company had sufficient production capacity to meet farmers’ needs across the country.
The awards ceremony recognised outstanding extension workers for their contribution to crop and livestock production and the implementation of agricultural programmes at various levels.
Six winners were honoured, with three coming from the Department of Veterinary Services and three from the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS).
From the Department of Veterinary Services, Monica Chinoera of Manicaland came first and received a motorbike and a shield, followed by Tadzimirwa Chimhondoro of Mashonaland East and Chipo Muchiringi of Midlands.
Under ARDAS, Chrispen Murenza of Mashonaland Central came first and received a motorbike and a shield, while Ruth Ndana of Midlands came second and Nyasha Gonde of Mashonaland West came third.
