‘Provide agric colleges with latest farm equipment’

AGRICULTURAL colleges have called on Government to supply them with latest farm equipment so that their students are accustomed to latest technology to boost production and productivity in the sector and to consider their graduates when allocating land.

The call was made in Mazowe by Blackfordby Agricultural College principal Mr Moses Suluma at the 20th graduation ceremony where 79 students graduated with diplomas in agriculture. The graduates had undergone a two-year programme of practical and theoretical training in animal and crop production, farm mechanisation, and farm and agribusiness management.

Mr Suluma said there were several Government programmes that college students could benefit from.

“Distinguished guests, over 80 percent of today’s graduands are youths with some prior diploma and degree qualifications in other disciplines, attained both locally and abroad. This, in my opinion, signifies passion for the trade and a realisation by our young people of the strategic role and place that agriculture holds in Zimbabwe.

“I am appealing ,therefore, to relevant arms of Government to support these youths, who have already taken the first steps in attaining qualifications in agriculture, by considering them ahead of others in the allocation of land for agricultural use.

“I also appeal on behalf of all agriculture colleges both private and state owned, that due consideration be given to the institutions in the distribution of farm equipment under various Government schemes like the Brazil-Zimbabwe More Food for Africa mechanisation programme to enable trainers to use the latest technology in training students as they are the very same people that will be expected to be very conversant with the machines upon being employed on farms after graduating from college,” he said.