Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has distributed solar kits to 64 extension officers in Mwenezi District, in a major step toward improving service delivery in rural areas without access to electricity.
The move is aimed at enhancing the performance of agricultural extension officers who are critical in supporting communal farmers, especially in remote wards where load shedding and lack of energy infrastructure have made their work difficult.
“We are addressing real challenges that our officers face in the field. Most of them operate in areas without electricity or experience constant load shedding. With these solar kits, they can now power their gadgets, charge their tablets, and maintain communication with farmers and supervisors,” said the Provincial Director, Caleb Mahoya.
The kits are part of a broader Government thrust toward smart agriculture, where technology and innovation are being integrated into everyday farming and extension work.
The solar kits will allow extension workers to operate more efficiently, even in the most remote parts of the district.
“This is part of our smart agriculture drive. We are equipping our extension officers to be more responsive, visible, and effective in delivering Government services where they are needed most,” said Dr. Mahoya.
This latest support builds on earlier efforts by Government to capacitate extension personnel.
In recent months, officers across the country have received motorbikes, digital tablets, protective clothing, and vehicles for district heads.
Mwenezi East legislator, Sheilla Chikomo, applauded the initiative and reaffirmed her commitment to seeing rural communities benefit from Government programmes.
“Our farmers rely heavily on extension officers for technical advice and updates on Government inputs. These kits will ensure that officers can work without interruption, regardless of where they are based. This is how we bring services closer to the people,” said MP Chikomo.
Several officers expressed gratitude, noting that the kits would help them respond faster to farmers’ needs.
“We often struggled to charge our devices and sometimes went days without communication. With these solar kits, we can now serve farmers better,” said one officer in Ward 13.
The initiative reflects Government’s continued commitment to modernising agriculture and ensuring that no area is left behind under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
