Mitchell Dzoro
His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulated Tinotenda Mhiko, CEO of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority of Zimbabwe (ARDA), for scooping the 2024 Africa Food Price at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum recently held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Mr. Mhiko was awarded US$100 000 for his innovative leadership in the enhancement of food security through strategic irrigation initiatives, which are transforming Zimbabwe’s food systems.
Speaking at the State House this morning, Mr. Mhiko said he has worked on advancing agricultural food systems over the past 15 years.
“I have done a lot for the past 15 years in the agricultural landscape, my main focus being driving agri-food systems across or working with all sectors of farmers from small scale to medium scale up to large scale farmers across ten African countries and most importantly in Zimbabwe, said Mhiko.
Mhiko highlighted how President Mnangagwa congratulated him, citing how his work is a testament to the agricultural transformation in Zimbabwe.
“The President congratulated me; he was very happy, and to him, this is a testament to the agricultural transformation and revolution that is happening in Zimbabwe that is now catalytic, and the expectation is that even the sub-region is not going to be left behind,” said Mhiko.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Professor Jiri, said the award highlights the agricultural transformation, especially in rural development.
“This is a testimony of what Zimbabwe is doing, and of course the guidance of His Excellency in agricultural transformation, the strides that we have made in rural development.
“This award recognizes those transformational efforts that have been made, particularly looking at making farming a business for smallholder farmers, which remember the President was always saying he is using village wisdom to transform agriculture,” said Professor Jiri.