Some of the donated equipment
By Yadillah Katuli
In a gesture of goodwill, the Turkiye Embassy in Zimbabwe this Wednesday handed over 20 maize and peanut sheller machines to the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training at Mount Hampden Training Centre in Harare.
The donation, facilitated by Tika under the project “Supporting Vocational & Technical Training Education in the Agricultural Sector,” aims to bolster Zimbabwe’s agricultural capabilities.
Tika, or the Turkiye Cooperation and Coordination Agency, is a governmental organization in Turkiye responsible for implementing Turkiye’s developmental cooperation policies overseas.
It aims to contribute to socio-economic development and welfare in partner countries through various projects and programs in fields such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
During the handover ceremony, Ms. Denizcan Seferoglu, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Türkiye Embassy, shed light on Tıka’s mission and the genesis of the project. She emphasized Tıka’s commitment to respecting governmental sensitivities and aligning projects with Zimbabwe’s development priorities.
Ms. Seferoglu underscored Turkiye’s dedication to fostering ties with the African continent through its ‘Africa Partnership Policy,’ a comprehensive approach involving various sectors and organizations.
“One of the basic principles of Turkiye’s multi-dimensional foreign policy is to develop relations and cooperation with the African continent through her ‘Africa Partnership Policy.’
“This policy is the product of an integrated understanding that includes the activities of public institutions, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian aid organizations,” she said.
According to Mr. Elias Murinda, Acting Chief Director in the Ministry of Youth, the donation marks a significant step towards achieving Zimbabwe’s national food security goals. He commended Türkiye for its support and urged the recipients to utilize the equipment effectively to enhance productivity.
“I would like to challenge the benefiting VTCs to ensure that the equipment received today will be put to good use and ensure productivity as realized at the respective VCTs,” he said.
The donation exemplifies Turkiye’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with Zimbabwe. The two countries enjoy cordial bilateral relations that have seen cooperation in education, health, agriculture, transport, and security among other sectors, in the past 41 years.
It is because of these deep and cordial relations that Turkiye is supporting Zimbabwe to win the war against food insecurity.