By Lawrence Paganga
In March this year, Tinotenda Mhiko (36) was appointed the substantive Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chief executive (CEO) after acting in the same position for three months.
He becomes one of the youngest CEOs in Zimbabwe running a state-owned enterprise.
His appointment seven months ago proved not to be a disappointment for the government as the youthful CEO has managed to turn Lupane district in Matabeleland North into a commercial farming area.
A total of 90 local farmers in the district are now involved in wheat and maize production.
No meaningful farming activity has been carried out in Lupane because of its Kalahari desert sands most suitable for livestock and wildlife.
However, Mhiko proved this wrong and this year, ARDA has managed to turn around the district’s fortunes planting 180ha of the winter wheat crop, which is now ready for harvesting.
Mhiko is a specialist in post-harvest technology and studied in Russia and the United Kingdom.
Recently, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa toured ARDA project in Lupane and was full of praises for Mhiko.
“With the vision we have now, we are attracting young people from town to the countryside and they are doing better applying the technology they have learnt in universities developing the countryside instead of spending time moving around,” Mnangagwa said.
“Our young people go around placing CVs under doors, these ones chose to come and work here. This is amazing for our young people helping us improve our agriculture.”
Mhiko said it was an honour to be appointed ARDA CEO.
“For me it is an honour and it is a huge milestone. It means a lot for my peers which they should emulate.”
ARDA board chairperson, Craig Evans said the state-owned company’s policy was to target skilled young professionals and offer them employment and opportunities.
“It is very important to target the qualified youngsters. So, as ARDA, we are identifying that skill and offering them employment,” he said.
