The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development honoured long-serving employees for their contribution to Zimbabwe’s agricultural development, with Permanent Secretary Prof. Dr. Obert Jiri urging them to actively share their knowledge and expertise with younger generations to ensure continued growth in the sector.
The recognition ceremony celebrated employees from various departments whose decades of service have contributed to strengthening the country’s food security, agricultural productivity and value-addition initiatives.
Among those honoured were engineers, agronomists, crop breeders, researchers, human resources personnel and general hands whose collective efforts have played a critical role in advancing agricultural development across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Jiri said years of service represented far more than the passage of time, describing them as a repository of invaluable experience, resilience and institutional knowledge that must be preserved for future generations.
“The difference in years of service is not merely time; it is wisdom earned, it is resilience tested, and it is knowledge that has become the very foundation upon which Zimbabwe’s agriculture and food security stands,” said Prof. Jiri.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that knowledge accumulated through years of practical experience is deliberately passed on to younger employees entering the sector.
“It is this very wealth of expertise, built across value chains and value-addition processes, that must now be deliberately transferred back to the Ministry,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that effective knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer were essential for sustaining institutional memory, enhancing innovation and maintaining the ministry’s capacity to respond to evolving agricultural challenges.
Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s economy, providing livelihoods for millions while contributing significantly to national food and nutrition security. As the sector embraces modern technologies and climate-smart agricultural practices, experienced personnel remain a vital source of technical guidance and mentorship.
Officials said the honoured employees have contributed to numerous milestones over the years, including irrigation development, crop improvement programmes, agricultural research, human resource development and the strengthening of value chains across various agricultural commodities.
The ceremony displayed the importance of preserving institutional knowledge at a time when many experienced professionals are approaching retirement.
Prof. Jiri commended the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the long-serving staff members and encouraged them to view mentorship as part of their enduring legacy.
The Ministry said the expertise accumulated by veteran employees remains critical in supporting the country’s agricultural transformation agenda and achieving sustainable food security.
As the honoured employees reflected on their years of service, the message from the ministry was clear: their greatest contribution may not only be the work they have already done, but the knowledge they pass on to those who will shape the future of Zimbabwean agriculture.
