Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Government has established a new agricultural information centre in Avoca, Insiza District, to provide farmers with crucial resources and information aimed at improving food security and promoting agribusiness. The centre is part of a broader national effort to boost agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
Located in Ward 8, the facility will serve as a one-stop hub for integrating technology, research, and farmer support services through demonstrations, training, and market linkages.
It features an e-learning facility where farmers can access research and visual content, as well as a village business unit to ensure the centre’s sustainability. The centre will also offer practical demonstrations of technologies like Intwasa and various livestock mitigation techniques.
The director for training in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Sibangilizwe Dlodlo, said the centre is designed to translate agricultural research and best practices into practical solutions.
“This information learning centre is designed to support the implementation of research trials, exhibition or demonstration of best farming practices, and technologies meant to address the challenges experienced by smallholder farmers in arid areas of Zimbabwe,” Mr Dlodlo said during the centre’s commissioning on Wednesday.
He said the centre is more than a building.
“It is a hub of innovation, learning and collaboration activities between our agriculture business advisors and farmers. It further seeks to strengthen the vital relationship between agricultural business advisors and the farmers who are at the heart of Zimbabwe’s economic rural development.”
Mr Dlodlo said the facility would also connect farmers with competitive markets by helping them identify potential buyers and value chains, and would introduce digital agricultural platforms for knowledge sharing.
“This innovation will bridge the information gap and place our farmers at the forefront of modern agricultural trends. This centre will also be a demonstration ground for researchers, seed companies, and the private sector to showcase improved seed varieties, livestock breeds, fish farming initiatives and fodder production technologies,” he said.
Local village head Eslose Ncube said the information centre would equip farmers with vital knowledge to improve production, ultimately uplifting household incomes and livelihoods.
Construction of the centre, funded by the European Union under the Zimbabwe Agriculture Knowledge and Innovative Systems (ZAKIS) project, began in 2023 and was completed earlier this year. The community also mobilised resources for the project.
