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Tinotenda Mhiko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has won the coveted US$100,000 Africa Food Prize that celebrates Africans who are taking control of the continent’s agriculture agenda.
The prize puts a spotlight on bold initiatives and technical innovations that can be replicated across the continent to create a new era of food security and economic opportunity for all Africans.
Key dignitaries who graced the occasion were HE Goodluck Jonathan, the Former President of Nigeria; Mr Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank; Dr Eleni Z Gabre, the Chief Innovations Officer of UNDP; Dr Wanjiru Kamau of the Black Women in Executive Leadership; Mr Birama Sidibe, the Founder of Agribiotech, Dr Agnes Kalibata, the President of AGRA; and Prof Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, the Director and Chairwoman, African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (ARUA-SFS), University of Pretoria, South Africa, just to mention a few.
In his acceptance speech at the Awards Dinner Gala at the majestic Kigali Conference Centre (KCC) yesterday, paid tribute to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, whose vision for a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society for the majority of the Zimbabwean populace, has been set through a trailblazing journey of unmatched leaps and bounds in the Agricultural landscape, leaving no one and no place behind.
He also expressed his sincere appreciation and credit to the Honourable Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development for Zimbabwe, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka for his invaluable visionary leadership and guidance ahead of winning the award.
The youthful leader said agriculture is more than just a profession for him – it’s a calling.
“At the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority of Zimbabwe, we have introduced and implemented various agricultural models, which have revolutionized our agricultural space, transforming agricultural production for the rural small-holder farmers, medium and large-scale commercial farmers across the 10 provinces in the country.
“Our small-holder farmers have been converted from peasant and subsistent producers to surplus and commercially oriented growers whose yields for cereals have reached as high as five (5) tonnes per hectare through implementation and adoption of our climate proofing and derisking models,” Mhiko said.
He said farmers play a pivotal role in feeding communities and contributing to global food security.
“Doubtlessly, this award serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of our work and the impact we have on people’s lives every other day. As we celebrate this achievement, I’m reminded that our work is never truly done. We face new challenges and opportunities every season – from adapting to climate change to innovating sustainable farming practices. I hope this award inspires others, especially the youth, to join us in shaping the future of agriculture for the continued sustenance of human existence.
“Thank you ARGA once again for this incredible honour. I accept this award not just as recognition of my own efforts, but as a call to continue pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and nurturing the land we have been entrusted with. Let’s keep growing together and make our beloved continent food secure and self-sufficient!” Mhiko added.