Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo has reiterated Government’s commitment to transforming Agriculture into an economically viable undertaking.
Mr. Mtolo emphasized that achieving this goal requires the country to integrate emerging issues within both the agricultural sector and the broader economy.
He made these remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Reverend Mathews Chilekwa, during the 43rd graduation ceremony at the Zambia College of Agriculture (ZCA) in Mpika.
Mr Mtolo further said that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue rendering support to the Zambia College in Agriculture so as to continue producing quality and development oriented human resources as part of the transformation agenda.
“I would like to urge the graduating students to make use of the skills and knowledge you have acquired from the College and explore entrepreneur opportunities,” Mr Mtolo said.
And ZCA Principal Alice Tembo says the students who have graduated in the three disciplines are efficiently equipped to transform traditional practices into modern, efficient and competitive systems.
Dr Tembo said a total of 275 have graduated with 228 having graduated with certificates in General Agriculture while 47 students have graduated with Diplomas in Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural Education in conjunction with the Copperbelt University.
“The Zambia College of Agriculture in Mpika district is well positioned in delivering its core mandate and contributing to Zambia’s economic growth through training and production of quality human capital,” Dr Tembo said.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt University (CBU) Vice Chancellor Imasiku Nyambe, in a speech delivered by CBU Dean of the School of Natural Resources, Benjamin Mubemba, urged the government to fill key vacant positions, such as in quality assurance at ZCA, to improve the efficiency of the college’s operations and fulfill its mandate.
Dr Mubemba said that in order to uphold high quality training standards there is need to have in place qualified and motivated staff equivalent to the student population.
Dr Mubemba has further appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to improve infrastructure at the institution as a way to motivate the Students and the Institution Staff.
Speaking in a vote of thanks former ZCA Student Union President Laison Chabu who was one of the graduates said the granduants have expressed appreciation to ZCA management for the skills and knowledge they have gained.
Mr Chabu said that with the many opportunities that the Government has put across, they will utilize the many opportunities and ensure that they utilize the skills and knowledge they have attained.
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