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Belinda Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
UMZINGWANE Member of Parliament Retired Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome has announced plans to resuscitate the only agricultural college in Matabeleland South Province, Esigodini Agricultural College and turn it into an agro-based Information and Communications Technology (ICT) incubation hub.
That, he said, will ensure that learners are fully equipped with adequate modern skills in agriculture.
Esigodini Agricultural College history dates back to the 1950s when it was relocated from Tsholotsho to the present site where it was named Mzingwane Industrial School and offered courses in leatherwork, building, agriculture and carpentry.
In the 1960s the school separated into two units, Mzingwane Secondary School and Esigodini Agricultural Institute. At that time the institute offered certificates in agriculture until 1998 when it began offering a Diploma course and was upgraded into a college. Since then, the college has reportedly not upgraded its machines or learning equipment.
In an interview, Rtd Brig-Gen Mayihlome said he wanted to ensure that the college was developed to meet learning standards of the 21st century models.
“Esigodini Agricultural College is the only agriculture college in Matabeleland South hence it should be significant in terms of knowledge and training in relevance with the 21st century learning models, machines and technology.
“My five-year-plan encompasses developing the college with adequate technology,” he said.
Rtd Brig-Gen Mayihlome said there is a need for latest technology at the college since the bulk of it is now obsolete.
“I toured the college and from what I saw, I was touched, there are no machines because the ones that are there are obsolete.
This implies that students are just learning theory and no practicals. That is not ideal as agriculture is a practical subject.
“I am going to make sure Esigodini Agricultural College is turned into an agro-based ICT incubation centre, identifying and nurturing talent.
“We are certain that with the right investment and co-operation from all stakeholders 10 to 20 years time from now Umzingwane constituency could be an agro-based ICT centre where youths can enjoy farming.”
The college is under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.
It offers training at Farmer’s level and National Diploma in agriculture covering aspects in Crop Production, Animal Production, Agricultural Engineering, Farm and Agribusiness Management, Environmental Studies, HIV and Aids, Projects and Farm Practice.
The cropping programme comprises dry land and irrigation farming with water for irrigation purposes drawn from boreholes located within the farm. The livestock production programme is composed of the Nkone beef herd, Friesland and Jersey breeds in dairy all on 28 paddocks covering a total area of 485 hectares, broilers, layers, sheep (Black head Persian), goats (Boer) and pigs (Large white and Landrace crosses).
@MoyoOlivet
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