The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) has launched a transformative national scholarship program aimed at investing in human capital by supporting talented and deserving agricultural students from economically constrained backgrounds, in a move that is expected to shape the future of Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector.
Speaking at the official launch held on 08 December 2025, ZAS President Mr Ngoni Kudenga said the program was designed to empower gifted young people enrolled in agricultural diploma trainings who demonstrate commitment despite financial hardships. He said 45 students have been selected for the inaugural intake, describing them as agricultural ambassadors and the future custodians of Zimbabwe’s food systems.
“These students represent the future of Zimbabwean agriculture. By investing in them, we are investing in food security, rural development and national economic growth,” said Kudenga.
Department of Agricultural Education representative Dr Vambe hailed the scholarship as a strategic national investment, urging beneficiaries to seize the rare opportunity. “This is a national investment. The students must rise to the occasion and make the most of this chance that many never receive,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Davis Marapira, who delivered the keynote address, described the ZAS scholarship as the first fully dedicated program for agricultural diploma students in the country. He revealed that more than US$240,000 has been invested by ZAS to fund the three-year academic journey of the selected students, drawn from all provinces and with a deliberate bias towards female beneficiaries.
“These students were identified from rural communities and selected based on intellectual capacity and passion. This is a direct investment in Zimbabwe’s food security,” said Hon. Marapira. He further challenged heads of agricultural colleges to prioritize practical skills, demanding a shift towards 75 percent practical learning as opposed to theory-based training.
The Deputy Minister said this should be viewed as a seed with an expected outcome of producing highly skilled agricultural experts capable of transforming the sector. He also called on private companies, financial institutions and development partners to form a consortium that would expand the reach of the scholarship and increase the number of beneficiaries in coming years.
Held under the theme “Cultivating Tomorrow’s Agricultural Leaders,” the launch marked a defining moment for agricultural education in Zimbabwe. Hon. Marapira said the scholarship aligns with national development strategies toward achieving Vision 2030, positioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.
He commended ZAS for its 130-year legacy in advancing agriculture, noting that the organization had once again demonstrated visionary leadership by closing the gap between talent and opportunity. He said many passionate young agriculturists come from rural, low-income households where education dreams often collapse under financial pressure, making the scholarship a life-changing intervention.
The scholarship is expected to strengthen food security, boost rural economies, promote innovation, and produce a new generation of technically skilled graduates equipped for climate-smart agriculture, value-chain development and sustainable resource management.
Addressing the 45 beneficiaries, Hon. Marapira urged them to become disciplined, community-driven leaders who will transform Zimbabwe’s farms and markets. “You have been chosen not just for your past performance but for the future you carry. Serve with excellence and humility,” he said.
With growing calls for broader private sector involvement, the ZAS scholarship program now stands as a powerful national model for agricultural skills development and youth empowerment.
