Huge strides in mainstreaming ICT into farmer training

Source: Huge strides in mainstreaming ICT into farmer training | The Herald

Dr John Basera

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

GOVERNMENT has made huge strides in mainstreaming Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into farmer training to equip farmers with technological skills and contribute immensely to the development of the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the master farmer graduation and re-launch ceremony at Maunganidze Irrigation Scheme in Manicaland on Thursday last week, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera said his ministry made great strides in mainstreaming ICT into farmer training.

A total of 674 farmers were awarded with Master Farmer Certificates (662 Ordinary and 12 Advanced Levels) after successfully completing the Master Farmer training programme.

Dr Basera said an online lead farmer training platform has been developed and manuals for the platform have already been developed and uploaded on the platform.

“The platform will give large scale commercial farmers, A2 farmers and civil servants an opportunity to enrol in a formal and recognized training programme,” he said.

“Our ministry’s thrust is on development of an efficient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector, which ensures food and nutrition security and increased incomes at both household and national levels.

“We are also working tirelessly to contribute immensely to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2 that target eradication of poverty and ending hunger respectively and attain our targets contribution towards building an empowered and prosperous upper middle income society by 2030, “Vision 2030”. 

Dr Basera said the Agriculture Recovery Plan and many ministry blue prints have been produced to reverse the continued decline in food production in all agricultural value chains.

“We have the Climate Proofed Presidential Input Scheme (Pfumvudza concept) which is already answering to the implementation of the Government’s Agriculture Recovery Plan,” he said.

“The adoption has been very high, aiming to support three million vulnerable households for maize, traditional grains and an oil seed this coming season. I urge all farmers to be trained on Pfumvudza, hole out, gather mulch and work on your composts.

“Timeous distribution of inputs will also be a priority and I assure you that every vulnerable household will receive inputs under the presidential input scheme. The ministry upholds its commitment to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the agriculture sector as we work diligently to achieve a zero hunger nation by 2030.”

Dr Basera said agriculture transformation remained a top priority for the Government because of its huge potential contribution to rural transformation and economic growth.