Zimbabwe’s agricultural education landscape has entered a transformative phase with the inauguration of the Ngamo Livestock Farm & Vocational Centre. Officially opened by Honourable Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of Environment, Climate & Wildlife, this pioneering institution is the first of its kind in Matebeleland North. A collaborative initiative led by Wilderness and the SADC TFCA Financing Facility under the stewardship of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the centre aims to equip young Zimbabweans with the skills to drive sustainable agricultural development. The first cohort of 40 students has already embarked on this journey.
Strategically located between the rural communities of Ngamo and Ziga, on the outskirts of Hwange National Park—a vital part of the expansive Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA)—the centre embodies a commitment to conservation and community empowerment. The project, implemented by Wilderness through its Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Zambezi programme, marks a significant milestone for the Tsholotsho District and beyond. Sue Goatley, Wilderness Zambezi Impact Manager, highlighted the centre’s significance: “The opening of this facility is a landmark achievement for Wilderness and CITW. Years of planning, combined with the unwavering support of our partners at the IUCN, SADC TFCA Financing Facility, and local stakeholders, have culminated in a centre that will serve as a pillar of education and sustainable development for generations to come.”
Empowering the Next Generation: A Holistic Approach to Agricultural Education
Designed for school-leavers aged 17-25, the centre offers a fully funded, one-year diploma programme accredited by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Education. Under the leadership of Senior Lecturer Lawrence Matshazi, students engage in a rigorous curriculum blending theoretical knowledge with practical farming techniques. The programme enhances employability while fostering entrepreneurship, empowering graduates to contribute to local food security and economic growth.
“This is more than a training centre—it is a beacon of hope, providing young people with tangible skills to build resilient, self-sufficient futures,” Goatley added. The campus, spanning one square kilometre, boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including dormitories, classrooms, staff and visitor accommodations, a fully equipped kitchen, lecture rooms, and sustainable infrastructure such as solar-powered boreholes and biogas systems. Agricultural resources include a workshop, milling shed, eco-garden, livestock enclosures, an organic worm farm, a fowl run, and a greenhouse. Modern farming machinery—including a tractor, motorbike, grinding mill, and irrigation systems—enhances hands-on learning.
Driving Economic Development: A Sustainable Market for Local Produce
With sustainability at its core, the centre is set to introduce a solar-powered abattoir in its second phase, enabling community members to sell livestock at fair market prices while ensuring access to high-quality meat. In a strategic move to strengthen local economies, Wilderness has pledged to source fresh produce and beef from the centre for its nearby tourism camps. Other hospitality operators in Hwange National Park are expected to follow suit, fostering regional economic integration and growth.
During the inauguration, Honourable Dr Nyoni underscored the initiative’s alignment with Zimbabwe’s national development agenda: “Vision 2030 cannot be achieved without empowering our youth. This centre will equip young people with essential skills, enabling them to take charge of their future and uplift their communities.”
A Catalyst for Regional Transformation
The centre’s establishment was made possible through grant funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via the KfW Development Bank. Kudakwashe Chigodo, Team Leader at the SADC TFCA Financing Facility, emphasised its significance: “This centre represents the kind of transformative projects we aim to support. It serves as a pilot initiative for other Transfrontier Conservation Areas, showcasing the immense potential of collaborative investment in community livelihoods.”
By fostering education, employment, and a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem, the Ngamo Livestock Farm & Vocational Centre stands as a testament to the power of partnerships in driving socio-economic progress. As stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to conservation, community development, and sustainability, this initiative sets the stage for a legacy of resilience and prosperity. “As we celebrate the launch of this centre, let us acknowledge its far-reaching impact and commit to continued investment in the people and landscapes that sustain us,” concluded Goatley.
With its doors now open, the centre is poised to cultivate not just crops and livestock, but a future rich in opportunity and innovation for Zimbabwe’s rural communities.
With thanks to Grifco PR.