Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
Two local companies yesterday handed over 77 motorbikes to Agritex in Mashonaland West to capacitate extension officers to carry out their duties in communities to boost food production.

Accepting the motorbikes on behalf of the Government, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka applauded Valley Seeds and Superfert, for the gesture.

She said the motorbikes would go a long way in improving agricultural productivity.

“It will enable our officers to reach even the remotest parts of our province and provide timeous services to our farmers. I also implore others within the private sector to complement the Government’s efforts, through giving and ploughing back into their communities,” she said.

She added that the improved mobility and visibility of agricultural extension officers was a prerequisite for all agricultural extension operations and was going to boost efforts to retain Zimbabwe’s regional bread basket status.

“Mobility of Agritex officers is in line with both the National Agricultural Policy framework (NAPF) and the National Development Strategy (NDS1) that seeks to revive, restructure, reform, rebuild and transform the agriculture sector.

“This transformation is premised and informed by Vision 2030 aimed at making Zimbabwe an upper middle-class economy by 2030.”

She outlined the need for agricultural extension officers to fully utilise the motorbikes and improve visibility in farming areas.

Gross misconduct and abuse of resources which has been rife over the past years were supposed to be things of the past. Valley Seeds’ commercial business manager, Mr Tichaona Maponga said they responded to President Mnangagwa’s call for companies to help mechanise agriculture.

Last month, the two companies handed over 33 motorbikes to the provincial veterinary services department.

Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement has also provided protective clothing to frontline Agritex staff to ensure safety as they continue executing their duties.

Acting provincial Agritex officer, Mrs Evelyn Ndoro said the department was also undergoing massive technological advancements.

Informattion and Communication Technology (ICT) tools such as tablets to facilitate the collection and processing of field data in real-time, wer being availed by Government to Agritex officers.