NEW: Digital college transforms farming in Zimbabwe

Malven Mugadzikwa

AN agricultural revolution is taking place in Zimbabwe.

The parched earth of Little London Farm, situated in Nyabira, West of Harare, bears witness to a revolution, not of fire and steel, but of knowledge and resilience.

Mr Solomon Ndudzo, once a solitary beef farmer, now stands as a testament to Zimbabwe Agricultural College (ZIACO)’s transformative power. His eyes gleam with the confidence of a man mastering his craft.

College principal Ms Constance Nyaruwata, her presence a beacon of progress, surveyed the thriving enterprise during a visit last week, a living testament to the college’s “Leaving No One and No Place Behind” ethos.

“We have come here to see the impact of the training that Mr Ndudzo received from ZIACO. He graduated in November 2024, and we can see the real impact in livestock management, bull and cow management, as well as breeding,” she said.

“Our programmes are designed for all land reform beneficiaries, agro-executives and entrepreneurs, transforming agriculture into a viable business sector.”

ZIACO, born in 2023, is not just another Government’s agricultural college; it is a digital bridge, spanning the vast distances that often isolated Zimbabwe’s farmers.

Its online platform delivered practical, cutting-edge education directly to the farmers’ doorsteps — or rather, their screens.

No longer bound by geographical constraints, farmers like Mr Ndudzo absorbed knowledge at their own pace, amidst the rhythm of their daily lives.

“Our students learn virtually from the comfort of their homes and farms, with live lectures, videos, and case studies that fit into their daily schedules,” said Ms Nyaruwata.

At Little London Farm, Mr Ndudzo has applied the principles learned at ZIACO to enhance his beef production.

The farm follows a cow-calf production model, ensuring a steady supply of heifers and young steers for sale.

“What we learned at ZIACO is that every farmer, no matter their starting point, should have access to the right implements to ensure success,” he said.

“We were taught how to optimise farm equipment use. Since machinery is expensive, we learned how to network with other farmers to share resources.”

A practical example of this approach was his recent co-purchase of farm machinery and bulls with a neighbouring farmer.

“If it were not for this collaboration, we wouldn’t have managed to do silage this year. Sharing resources has been a game changer,” he said.

Initially focused solely on beef production, Mr Ndudzo’s education at ZIACO encouraged him to diversify into crop production.

“I was skeptical about crop farming, but I learnt that integrating crops into livestock farming creates a sustainable cycle. Now, I inspect my fields daily for weeds, pests and diseases,” he said.

At Little London Farm, everything operates in a well-planned agricultural cycle.

“We maximise farm potential by ensuring that all waste is repurposed. Manure enriches the soil for maize production, which in turn provides silage for our cattle,” said Mr Ndudzo.

“We also have roadrunner chickens, and their litter is used to feed the cattle. Soon, we will introduce fish farming using chicken litter as feed.”

One of his biggest takeaways from ZIACO was efficient herd management.

“Dehorning calves within two weeks of birth makes handling easier and ensures uniformity in the herd,” he said.

“We were also taught about stocking rates and how to calculate grazing capacity, which is crucial for sustainable beef production.”

Mr Ndudzo’s farm also follows strict vaccination protocols to protect cattle from diseases such as anthrax, blackleg and botulism.

“Dipping is a critical part of our routine, and during the rainy season, we dip our cattle twice a week to manage tick-borne diseases,” he said.

“We invested in a spray race because knapsack spraying is no longer practical for the herd size.”