In a significant move to bolster Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), has launched a comprehensive nationwide training program for enumerators as part of the groundbreaking Zimbabwe Agricultural Skills Audit.
The ambitious initiative, which saw training sessions roll out this Tuesday across nine provinces, is designed to map the country’s agricultural competencies and pinpoint critical gaps to guide future investment in human capital. The training was conducted simultaneously in key locations including Rutenga, Gokwe North, Umzingwane, Chegutu, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Nyanga, Buhera, Masvingo, and Mashonaland Central.
The audit has a multi-faceted set of objectives, including:
* Assessing existing skills among ministry staff, extension officers, researchers, and farmers.
* Identifying critical skill shortages among producer groups, agribusinesses, and value chain actors.
* Mapping training providers and curricula to align them with modern agricultural demands.
* Informing policy reform and curriculum updates at agricultural colleges and institutions.
The skills under review are extensive, covering traditional technical areas like crop production, livestock management, and irrigation, as well as emerging fields such as climate-smart technologies, digital agriculture, precision farming, and renewable energy applications. The audit will also evaluate essential soft skills like entrepreneurship, leadership, and problem-solving.
The enumerators undergoing training are being equipped with the tools to conduct ethical and accurate data collection. Their focus is on mastering digital survey instruments, ensuring quality control, and generating reliable data that will form the basis of a comprehensive national agricultural skills database.
This Agricultural Skills Audit is widely seen as a vital step towards building a more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector. By creating an evidence-based foundation for human capital development, the initiative aims to directly enhance food security, boost rural livelihoods, and secure the future of Zimbabwe’s agriculture.