Zambezi:The Zambezi Vocational Training Centre (ZVTC) recently showcased a successful harvest of watermelons and eggs, highlighting its commitment to practical agricultural training and local food production through its AGRIVET programme.

According to NAMPA, the AGRIVET programme at ZVTC announced the availability of fresh produce, including watermelons and eggs, cultivated on-site by trainees. The harvest included 40 watermelons that were planted in August and more than six trays of eggs, each containing 30 eggs.

Richard Kambinda, the Centre Manager at ZVTC, emphasized that the harvest is a testament to the institution's 'learning by doing and earning while learning' model. This approach aims to equip trainees with essential agricultural skills while generating income to support the institution's operational costs. Kambinda noted that the programme contributes 10 percent of the ZVTC's operational budget through various income-generating activities, including sales from fresh farm produce.

The centre's agricultural programme enrolls over 90 trainees annually and has recently produced nearly 50 graduates ready to pursue careers in agricultural production. Vocational Education and Training (VET) trainer Reagan Mate reported that some of the harvested watermelons were displayed for testing, while others were sold at prices exceeding N$60 each, selling out on the same day.

Mate also mentioned that the ongoing harvest would continue over the coming weeks across 10 plots, each measuring four by 20 meters. Despite a recent heatwave affecting production and causing the loss of about 25 percent of the crop to fungal diseases, this year's watermelon yield was described as average. Plans are underway to expand agricultural activities next year using more than 10 hectares of the centre's land.

ZVTC encourages the local community to support the AGRIVET programme by purchasing its produce, including eggs and watermelons, to aid in its educational and operational goals.