By Matabeleland North Correspondent
THE government-issued motorbikes, handed to Agricultural Extension (Agritex) workers, are proving to be dangerous instead of improving working conditions for the officers as over 72 have been involved in accidents countrywide.
Agritex has a national workforce of 5 000 extension employees and 505 supervisors countrywide while the veterinary department has 2 000.
The government early this year undertook to capacitate its agriculture support staff by issuing each with a motorbike and an ipad for use in their day-to-day duties.
This is part of the government’s efforts to transform agriculture from subsistence to a commercial business.
However, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka told House of Assembly members last week the decision to provide motorbikes to Agritex officers was proving costly as over 72 had been involved in accidents while riding the motorbikes.