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Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter
At least 2 420 students have graduated with diplomas in agriculture from Gwebi Agricultural College in Zvimba since the college was established in 1950, with 65 of them having graduated on Friday last week.

The graduation ceremony on Friday was held under the theme “Investing in Sustainable Agricultural Education and Training for Food Security and Wealth”.

Officiating at the ceremony, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for crops and mechanisation, Davis Marapira commended agricultural colleges for producing graduates who played a pivotal role in the development of the sector through advisory services to farmers.

“Over the years, agricultural colleges have produced thousands of graduates who have gone into the agriculture sector in a wide range of occupations,” he said.

“Graduates must leave the college aware of the national importance of their services in the fulfilment of the objectives of various Government programme such as the Zim-Asset.

Graduates should know the nation’s expectations in the clusters of Food and Nutrition Security and Value addition and Beneficiation.

“I urge all graduates to go out and work hard to achieve food security. We do not want to continue importing food products when we have the capacity to produce.”

Gwebi Agricultural College principal Dr William Matizha said generous investment in agricultural education and training of youths was vital in ensuring food security and creating real wealth for the country.

“A key factor for sustainable education and training of our agricultural practitioners is the persistent interest in the programme from young men and women,” he said.

“If that constituency loses interest, we will close down.

“It is pleasing that each year we continue to get qualifying applicants far in excess of our enrolment capacity. A relevant and sound curriculum, backed by competent and motivated staff and appropriate modern facilities enhance agricultural education and training.

“Partners are yet another vital cog for sustainable educational and training of our youths.

“Regrettably, the level of corporate social responsibility nowadays leaves much to be desired. A greater sense of responsibility by all partners is called for.”

Gwebi Agricultural College was also influential in training farmers.

“Conservation agriculture was our major farmer training activity,” said Mr Matizha.

“The college trained more than 1 000 farmers in Zvimba and Guruve in collaboration with the African Conservation Tillage Network and funded by Norwegian Agency for Development.

“The college also on two occasions hosted 50 beef cattle farmers for training in partnership with Nurture Education Trust.”

Out of the 65 who graduated, 34 were males while 31 were females.

The college pass rate was 85 percent.