GOVERNMENT is moving towards smart agriculture, a development that has seen Esigodini Agricultural College in Matabeleland South Province becoming the first agricultural college in the country to be equipped with an e-learning platform.

The e-learning platform was set up by the Zimbabwe Academic and Research Network (ZARNet).

It will help boost smart agriculture in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the program at the college yesterday, Minister of Information Communication and Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said smart agriculture will go a long way in assisting Zimbabwe to equip agricultural professionals with e-skills.

“Ladies and gentlemen smart agriculture is one of our priority areas as a Government and the e-learning facility launched today will greatly assist our country in training agricultural professionals equipped with the e-skills necessary for smart agriculture,” he said

He said the college has taken a good move in allowing smart agriculture to be launched, making history as the prime agricultural e-learning and training institution platform.

“The pioneering e-learning platform we have launched here at Esigodini Agricultural College will be an important case study of the inter-ministerial and collaborative approach. Esigodini will thus take its position in the history of Zimbabwe as the prime agricultural e-learning and training institution platform. The unity of purpose exhibited by the various stakeholders in this development initiative is a practical demonstration of the success we can attain as a community and as a nation if we are united,” he said.

ZARNet chief executive, Engineer Washington Musungwa said by creating e-learning platforms, his organization is trying to respond to the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa who has called for the adoption of smart technologies in agriculture.

He said agriculture is the backbone of the country`s economy hence the need to overcome challenges posed by Covid-19 through the use of e-learning platform which is ZARNet has created to manage the new normal.

“On Friday 12 March 2021, through Cabinet, the Government of the Second Republic of Zimbabwe, using its wisdom and visionary leadership, declared and directed that ZARNet should be the national implementer of the National E-learning (NEL) Strategy as a mitigating measure to reduce the ravaging havoc caused by the international Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

A student from Esigodini Agricultural College, Sibonginkosi Moyo, hailed the setting up of the e-learning platform saying it will enable them to research and increase their knowledge in agriculture.

“I give thanks to this launch for it has given us an opportunity to do more research on agriculture. Even if we are at home, we are now able to read and do our school work. Even if there is a lockdown, we will still continue with school work because of this e-learning,” he said — @ TichaKarubwa