Government Launches Nationwide Farmer Training Program to Boost Agriculture

The government has rolled out a nationwide program to equip farmers in 35,000 villages with essential skills to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and build climate resilience.

Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development, emphasized that providing farmers with practical knowledge is crucial for overcoming sector challenges and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.

“By training farmers, we are enabling them to adopt good agricultural practices, increase climate resilience, and improve their livelihoods,” he said. “The ministry is committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to adequate food, leaving no one and no place behind.”

The initiative is expected to transform rural agriculture by providing tailored support to farmers, increasing production, and reducing hunger and poverty. Professor Jiri further noted that the government is revitalizing the sector by promoting farming techniques suited to local conditions to improve yields and sustainability.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka also stressed the importance of irrigation development, revealing that the government has set a target of 496,000 hectares for irrigation, although only 217,000 hectares have been developed so far.

“We need to accelerate irrigation development. There is a massive opportunity, and the government aims to create an environment where the private sector can play a significant role,” he said.

Alongside irrigation expansion, the government is also implementing initiatives such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which integrates conservation agriculture and climate-smart farming techniques to enhance productivity and resilience against environmental challenges.

With these comprehensive efforts, the government aims to modernize the agricultural sector, uplift rural communities, and ensure long-term food security across the nation.