Online Reporter
Precious Manomano and Patience Maturure
Government has intensified calls for agricultural training institutions to prioritise hands-on, business-oriented learning as part of the Education 5.0 model, a framework designed to drive industrialisation and position Zimbabwe as a continental leader in education-led economic growth.
Education 5.0 is anchored on five pillars — teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation — and is one of the few models in Africa explicitly structured to translate education into measurable economic transformation.
Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) scholarship programme in Harare on Monday, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Davis Marapira said agricultural students should spend 75 percent of their training time on practical work, with only 25 percent devoted to theory.
He said the approach was critical in closing the gap between academic passion and real-world opportunity, while preparing students for climate-smart agriculture, precision farming and sustainable resource management in line with Vision 2030.
“Seventy-five percent of students’ time should be devoted to practical training, while 25 percent can focus on theory,” he said.
“This approach will help us address critical skill gaps, equipping graduates with digital agro-technical expertise that strengthens our agricultural ecosystems.
“Graduates will not only be qualified, they will also be problem solvers.
“Principals should consult us to ensure alignment with industrial needs to prepare students for roles in our industries, farms and research institutions.”
A total of 45 students from agricultural colleges across the country are the first beneficiaries of the ZAS scholarship, launched under the theme Cultivating Tomorrow’s Agricultural Leaders.
The organisation will fund the three-year programme at a cost of US$240 000, specifically targeting low-income rural students and aiming to develop the next generation of diploma-level agricultural professionals.
“These students are the future managers, innovators and entrepreneurs who will serve as the backbone of our extension services and transform our fields and markets,” he said.
ZAS president Mr Ngoni Kudenga said the scholarship seeks to address long-standing challenges facing agricultural training institutions, including financial limitations, outdated learning tools and inadequate student support.
He said the programme would strengthen student retention, improve the learning environment and expand opportunities for practical learning.
“The initiative also aligns with the Ministry’s focus on skills development as a key driver of productivity and national food security. The partnership between ZAS and agricultural colleges helps bridge the gap between industry expectations and training outcomes, ensuring graduates are industry-ready,” he said.
Department of Agricultural Education Dr Lovemore Vambe described the programme as a national investment that reflects confidence in young people’s potential to shape a productive, resilient and modern agricultural sector.
“Scholarship recipients are expected to commit to their studies, uphold discipline and professionalism and contribute meaningfully to the sector. Their success will determine the future expansion of the programme,” he said.
