Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has launched the Best Extension Worker Award (BEWA), whose aim is to honour and motivate agricultural extension officers.
The BEWA was launched at Banket Sports Club in Mashonaland West province on Friday.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri officiated at the event.
The award is currently being sponsored by a local agro-chemical dealer, Shumba Group.
Extension officers lauded the initiative.
The Government has been equipping the officers with motorbikes, mobile tablets and solar kits.
This is addition to various capacity-building trainings and workshops that have enabled them to reach more farmers with advice and support.
A beneficiary of the award, Mr Mushambi Tigere, who operates in Makonde, the second best producing district in the province, said the awards would help unlock potential.
“This is an award that motivates us as the ground force to push beyond our limits. This will unlock personal skills and spur competition among us, but, above all, the farmer is the ultimate winner,” he said.
Mrs Nyasha Gonde of Mhondoro-Ngezi district commended Government’s support.
“We are grateful for the support we are receiving from Government. So far, we have no mobility challenges because we were given motorbikes, no longer experiencing communication challenges because we have tablets and, above all, we receive timely updates on current trends, complimented by vigorous capacity-building workshops that we attend,” she said.
An extension officer for Mhangura, Mr Farai Maigurira, said the initiative would see officers perform exceptionally.
The national awards launch was attended by provincial directors from country’s rural provinces.
Masvingo provincial director Mr Caleb Mahoya, whose province has at least 52 percent of the country’s water bodies, said the move to award officers was going to complement their ambitious targets.
“Before this capacitation drive, many of our officers were limited in their coverage due to lack of transport and equipment. Now, with the motorbikes and tablets, they can visit more farmers in remote areas, offer real-time technical advice, and even send reports instantly. This has greatly improved farmer engagement and the adoption of recommended farming practices on the ground,” he said.
Mashonaland West provincial director Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi said the capacitation of our extension officers has transformed the way they deliver services to farmers.
“With motorbikes, mobile tablets and solar kits, officers are now able to collect data in real-time, monitor crop performance more effectively and respond quicker to farmer needs. The Government is playing its role, hence officers should do their part,” she said.
Prof Jiri said the introduction of the award was to promote excellence and accountability within our extension system.
“Extension officers are the bridge between research and the farmer and their performance directly impacts production,” he said.
“With the tools and resources we have provided, we expect them to go the extra mile. Our end goal is simple: we want to ensure food security by increasing productivity per hectare, and that can only happen if farmers receive the right support on time.”
Online Reporter