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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
GRADUATES from Chibero College of Agriculture in Norton have pledged to contribute towards food self-sufficient Zimbabwe in line with the Government’s agriculture enhancement strategy.
The graduation ceremony was held last week.
The graduates underwent training in animal and crop production, mechanised and technological farming, horticulture and business management and have since set long term goals with a passionate request for land to be availed.
Overall best student who walked away with 10 awards, Ms Lorraine Chiripanyanga, was optimistic about her future in farming.
“We have learnt both practical and theory, but it was mainly hands-on so we are ready even to transfer the knowledge to others.
“With the knowledge that I acquired from this institution, I don’t see myself looking for a job, but rather create it,” she said.
She also received a heifer from the local legislator, Mr Temba Mliswa.
Another graduate and second overall best student, Ms Judith Mashumba, who walked away with seven awards, said graduates should possess solutions to the country’s challenges.
She pleaded with the government to avail pieces of land so that they will be able to practice what they learnt.
The two have also been offered jobs at Afrostein Farmtech, which sponsored their awards.
The company’s executive director Mr Wenceslous Nyamupfukudza said their gesture was to ensure that the bright students quickly contributed to the nation’s building.
Lewis Madiro, who scooped the best Farm and Agri-business Management Award, said Zimbabwe possessed food production resources that needed to be managed wisely.
In his speech, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, who conferred 64 graduates with diplomas, said the new Education 5.0 was going to help promote farming across the nation.
“Zimbabwe undertook a transformative land reform programme more than 20 years ago,” he said. “This ushered in 21 000 A2 ad 360 000 A1 farmers. 90 percent of these are non-agriculturalists, but our system still focused on delivering agricultural education focused on training and extension (Agricultural Education 2.0).
“The rigid education system has not responded to the versatile requirements of the new creed of farmers, from small holder, A1, small scale A2 to large scale.”
Minister Masuka who said the government was going to avail land to youths across the nation, also stressed that mechanisation of agricultural colleges with tractors and motor cycles for student training was now in place.
Through rural development 8.0, he added, has started to bring positive results in rural areas as Presidential climate-proofed input scheme, presidential input scheme, tick grease scheme, Presidential community fisheries scheme among other were rolled out.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, said it was prudent for the government to avail land to the graduates and they possess knowledge acquired through theory and practical training. Chibero principal, Mr Philip Mushayi, said the college was training youths in Chegutu district, a programme being funded by SIRP and FAO. The college has partnered the University of Zimbabwe to produce well-informed, skilled and entrepreneurial graduates.
Online Reporter