Sharon Jiyamwa
Herald Reporter
NYAZURA Adventist High School learners have emerged as the overall winners of the Junior Achievement Zimbabwe National Company of the Year Competition held in Harare on Thursday, earning an opportunity to represent Zimbabwe in South Africa.
The learners, operating under the company name AgroSmart, impressed judges with an artificial intelligence-powered smart irrigation system designed to help farmers manage water use and improve agricultural productivity.
The team comprises Philip Chafeka, Kimberly William, Tinotenda Msengezi and Panashe Tembo.
AgroSmart’s innovation uses soil moisture sensors to monitor water levels and alert farmers when to start or stop irrigation. Its irrigation advisory system also provides guidance based on soil requirements.
Speaking at the event, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Angeline Gata said the competition demonstrated the importance of an education system that enables learners to translate classroom knowledge into practical solutions.
She congratulated the participating learners, saying their products and businesses reflected initiative, teamwork and determination while equipping them with decision-making, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.
“As Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030 and implements the National Development Strategy 2 for 2026 to 2030, our education system must equip learners with the knowledge, skills, values and creativity needed for national development,” she said.
Minister Gata said the heritage-based curriculum and Education 5.0 philosophy reinforced the need to connect learning with practical application, innovation and value creation.
She said entrepreneurship education encouraged learners to identify challenges, develop solutions, understand markets and manage resources, contributing to productivity, job creation, industrialisation and improved livelihoods.
The minister also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and business, saying the technology could help young entrepreneurs research ideas, analyse markets, improve product designs and work more efficiently.
However, she cautioned learners against relying blindly on AI-generated information, emphasising the need to verify facts, exercise sound judgement and use technology ethically.
“Artificial intelligence must strengthen human thinking, not replace it,” she said.
Minister Gata urged learners to protect personal information, respect intellectual property and remain alert to bias and misinformation when using emerging technologies.
She also called on teachers and school leaders to create opportunities for learners to experiment, ask questions and improve their ideas, while encouraging businesses to provide mentorship, industry exposure and access to markets and finance.
The minister challenged young entrepreneurs to look beyond winning prizes and focus on developing sustainable products and services that addressed real community needs.
“The future will not simply belong to those with access to the most advanced technology. It will belong to those who use knowledge, creativity and technology responsibly for the benefit of others,” she said.
She said supporting student-led enterprises could help create employment and contribute to Zimbabwe’s economic development, urging stakeholders to work together to turn promising ideas into viable businesses.
AgroSmart chief executive officer Kimberly William said the company was driven by the belief that farming could be made smarter through technology.
“Nyazura Adventist High School has one simple belief: farming can be made smarter. As a company, we made use of AI to develop our first-ever smart irrigation controller that helps farmers water their crops when necessary,” she said.
Ms William said the team was excited to represent Zimbabwe at the forthcoming Junior Achievement competition in South Africa and expressed gratitude to everyone who had supported them throughout their journey.
“We are very happy to be representing Zimbabwe in the JA competitions that are going to be held in South Africa, and we would like to thank everyone who helped us throughout our journey. We are very grateful for everything,” she said.
