The Car Bonanza Continues, ED Hands Over Vehicles ...

The Car Bonanza Continues, ED Hands Over Vehicles to Agriculture Extension Officers

Oscar J Jeke ZimNow Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday, handed over a fleet of vehicles, solar kits, and grain carriers to Agriculture Extension Officers at a ceremony held at the State House.

The latest vehicle handover, is aimed at strengthening agricultural service delivery and supporting Zimbabwe’s economic backbone agriculture.

“I am sure you are fully aware that Zimbabwe's economy is agricultural-based. It is, therefore, critically important that we capacitate that sector, and this is evidence that we are directing our efforts to capacitate agriculture, which is the backbone of our economy,” President Mnangagwa said during his address.

The move comes as part of government efforts to modernize and decentralize agricultural extension services across the country. The distributed vehicles are expected to enhance mobility, supervision, and data collection by field officers, enabling them to better assist farmers and implement national agricultural programmes more effectively.

Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, praised the initiative, noting the significant operational boost it brings to districts.

“No one really remembers when the last time it was, in terms of our Agriculture Extension Officers receiving vehicles to use. It goes a long way in capacitating the districts. It will now be easier for district heads to monitor activities and implement the programmes in their districts,” said Jiri.

The vehicle handover comes hot on the heels of a series of similar disbursements. Just days earlier, President Mnangagwa allocated over 65 vehicles and 50 tractors to war veterans under a broader empowerment drive. Additionally, US$200,000 was disbursed to each province under the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Fund, following a US$2 million injection into the revolving fund, bringing the total to US$3.5 million.

These developments, the President say are aimed at empowering communities, “These interventions are not token gestures, but part of a strategic plan to ensure that our war veterans and communities are empowered with the tools they need to thrive economically and socially,” Mnangagwa emphasized.