A SKILLED, disciplined and focused young generation is what every nation aspires to produce if it harbours hopes of continued development and empowerment.
With the country on the road to recovery and continued growth, a breed of youngsters is needed to carry forward the race that is being run by Government.
It is against this background that the leadership at Bernard Mizeki College (BMC) in Mashonaland East province has taken it upon its self to ensure that it produces well-rounded students.
Students that are capable of continuing with this all-important development race.
Agriculture is one of the main drivers of the country’s economy hence the College has put in place programmes to ensure its students acquire advanced agriculture skills.
The College is into both crop and livestock production producing crops such as tobacco, maize, potatoes, vegetables, tomatoes, cabbages and onions.
BMC boasts of a cattle herd of 61, 180 pigs, 1 000 broiler chickens and 500 layers at different stages of growth producing an average of 100 eggs per day.
Fish farming and bee-keeping is also practised at the school.
BMC headmaster Peter Nheweyembwa, who introduced most of the projects four years ago, said they had implemented them to aid the development of the school and growth of the students.
“Apart from the fact that we have the land and we have to utilise it, these agriculture projects not only help us provide the children with a balanced diet, but also ensure they too learn how the food is produced,” he said.
“Our students study Agriculture and Biology and these projects have helped them grasp the practical aspects of the subjects which they use come examination time.
“Through these projects we have managed to keep the level of school fees down as we have maintained a low budget since we do not buy most of the food.”
BMC has also managed to cut on its electricity bill as it has set up a biogas plant which uses waste from the cattle, pigs and chickens.
The gas generated by the plant is used for cooking purposes.
Since the inception of tobacco production in 2012, BMC has managed to acquire irrigation equipment which has now helped improve yields.
Last season the school had nine hectares under tobacco and produced 150 bales with an average mass of 120 kilogrammes.
Seven hectares was set aside for maize production and although the crop was affected by poor rainfall, they managed to produce an average yield of five tonnes per hectare.
Nheweyembwa said it was encouraging to note that the students had shown zeal in participating in the agriculture projects.
“It is a new phenomenon for most of them, but they love it,” he said.
“The students are taking part in all the processes of production and they are enjoying themselves”.
True to the words of Nheweyembwa, students who spoke to The Patriot expressed keen interest in the agricultural projects.
The fish farming project which was started last year was the brainchild of the College’s 2014 Advanced Level Biology class.
Agriculture students are the brains behind the bee-keeping project.
Form Three student, Munashe Muvhanga said he had learnt a lot from taking part in the projects.
“I really enjoy the poultry projects and this has inspired me to start keeping a batch of chickens at home,” he said.
Another student Tanaka Nyere said the projects had helped him get a clear understanding of what he learns in class.
“Farming is my passion, that is why I chose Agriculture for my practical subject and now with these projects in place, I get to put into practice what I learn in class,” he said.
Agriculture student Nhachi Valence thanked the school for giving the students an opportunity to learn more about agriculture.
“The agriculture sector is one of the most important sectors in the country and would really love to join it and with the lessons I am getting from school, it will not be difficult for me to venture into it,” he said.
Agriculture teacher Tafadzwa Jaya urged other schools to emulate what has been done by the College.
“Not only is this helping the College in terms of development and being self-sufficient, the students we produce here will be better placed in terms of skills when they leave the school,” Jaya said.
“Gone are the days when the subject of Agriculture was not popular.
“These days, children should be taught that it is a vital subject.”
Unlike at other schools where agriculture is endured as a punishment, at BMC students look forward to and enjoy their agriculture.
‘Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach him how to fish he will eat for a lifetime’, goes the old adage and it is this principle inspiring BMC.
With more learning institutions emulating the steps taken by BMC, efforts to build a skilled agriculture workforce will get a massive boost.