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Herald Reporter
Seed Co has donated 5 000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines for Agritex officers to assist the Government in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Cimas to vaccinate the Mandebvu community.

Yesterday, Seed Co handed over the unused vaccines from its programmes to Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka and Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr John Mangwiro after the successful vaccination exercise in Mandebvu.

Regional managing director of Seed Co Limited Mr Edworks Mhandu said Agritex officers are important to the farming community hence it is important to ensure that they are protected from Covid-19.

“We want to emphasise the importance of Agritex to the farming community. In the engagement with farmers, Seed Co agronomy staff work very closely with Agritex officers who are found at ward, district and provincial level all over the country.”

“The Agritex officers (Vanamudhumeni vedu) are part of the farming community and the essential training and knowledge that they give to our farmers is what significantly improves productivity at the farms.

“So it is important to ensure that the Agritex officers are protected from the Covid-19 virus and we are told by health experts that vaccination is key in the protection against Covid-19,” Mr Mhandu said.

Agriculture Minister Dr Masuka said all people in the agricultural sector should be vaccinated because they are frontline workers.

“The agricultural sector has been awarded the special essential service status because it’s a special service even in the midst of the pandemic we are allowed to operate, but adhering to Covid-19 guidelines hence we should all get vaccinated,” said the Minister.

Local Government Minister Moyo said the gesture will go a long way in ensuring the Agritex staff are protected.

“I would like to thank and appreciate Seed Co for donating 5 000 Covid 19 vaccines to Agritex staff. This life saving gesture will go a long way in ensuring that the Agritex staff are protected from the pandemic.”

“Agritex, being an essential service, has staff who continue to do farm visits and a lot of face to face interactions.

“Our extension officers need to do frequent farm visits to ensure farmers are ready for the season.”

“Our aim is to ensure that both communal and commercial farmers are geared up and ready for the forthcoming farming season. We hope to execute our work in a safe and conducive environment. Hence this timeous intervention by Seed Co is commendable,” said the Minister.

Cimas managing director Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu said the cooperation between private sector and Government shows solidarity.

“As we continue to tackle this defining health crisis of our time, and the deep cooperation between the private sector and Government illustrates the solidarity and leadership needed to defeat Covid-19,” he said.