Andrew
Online Reporter
AGRICULTURAL Advisory and Rural Development Services extension officers from different parts of the country, received another batch of 11 motorbikes and 3 200 riders’ suits at a ceremony held in Harare on Monday.
The motorbikes were sourced by the Government, through private sector partnership, as a way to improve mobility and ensure that farmers are reached timeously.
Handing over the motorbikes, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, Dr John Basera, said extension officers now have no excuse for not reaching some areas.
“Agriculture plays a major role in achieving that. Initially, these motorbikes were specifically for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme, but after considerations, we decided to avail them to all our extension workers,” he said.
Dr Basera said in the previous years they had been encountering problems when it came to the maintenance of the motor bikes, but this time FSG and Valley Seeds pledged to service them for a period of three years.
Chief director for Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS), Professor Obert Jiri, urged extension officers to fully utilise all the resources being availed to them for the betterment of the sector.
“You are our foot soldiers in this Ministry; we rely on your efforts. By these resources, we hope that you are now able to discharge your duties diligently,” said Prof Jiri.
To date, over 6 000 motor bikes have been distributed to all class 3 vehicle licenced extension officers.
Online Reporter