ZIMBABWE has transformed its tertiary education system, as one of the measures aimed at improving the agricultural extension system, in order to produce “goods and services instead of gowns and certificates”.
According to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, the introduction of Heritage Education 5.0, ensures implementation of the Agriculture, Food systems and Rural Transformation strategy and the Rural Development 8.0 programme.
“What we want to see is a display of what that certificate is. We’ve cultivated the mind to an extent that it will be at this level, but what we want is what that course is on the ground,” said Dr Masuka while officiating at the graduates of the Zimbabwe Online Agricultural College’s inaugural class.
“So I hope that now that the first graduates of the agricultural heritage-based education system are coming out of universities with practice, and we also now have agricultural education for development 5.0, these two will combine to ignite the change that we want to see.
“These graduates, … have embraced cutting-edge technology, delved into the intricacies of agricultural engineering, agribusiness, farm management, crop production, and animal production, emerging as well-rounded professionals ready to contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
“This graduating class stands as a testament to the transformative power of online education and the unwavering spirit of Zimbabwean farmers,” according to Dr Masuka.
The inaugural ZOAC class had 46 graduates, 33 from the Executive Certificate program and 13 from the General Certificate program.
ZOAC was formed in April 2023 to close the knowledge gap in the farming industry in Zimbabwe and beyond our borders.
Its target students are agricultural entrepreneurs, farm personnel, such as (managers, supervisors, foreman) and the smallholder farmers in pursuit of high production, productivity, and profitability in the farming industry and to provide ‘Food Security Everywhere, Everyday’.
