Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
GREEN Afrique Technology (GAT) has produced 200 000 passion fruit seedlings under its granadilla farming project in partnership with Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
The initiative builds on the recent training of youth entrepreneurs who are keen to tap into business opportunities in the agri-business sector and exports.
The two-day training programme was jointly organised by GAT, Empower Bank, Youth Zimbabwe Trust and the Ministry of Youth.
After training, the young farmers submitted their business plans to Empower Bank for funding and are waiting for feedback.
GAT chief executive officer, Mr Anglistone Sibanda, said they were confident the youth under the programme will receive funding and expect to start planting in the forthcoming summer cropping season.
He urged more youths to embrace farming as a viable business with potential to boost Zimbabwe’s economy.
“We have more than 200 000 seedlings and we want to push up to one million seedlings,” said Mr Sibanda.
Young farmers were trained by GAT in partnership with Ministry of Youths, Sport, Art and Recreation early this year and will get betwen 300 and 500 seedlings for free.
GAT is a private organisation that works with small-scale farmers and marginalised communities across the country in creating a vibrant, robust and efficient agri-business value chain.
Its objective is to stimulate local economies as well as empower small-holder farmers through capacity building, strategic partnerships and market linkages among others.
Mr Sibanda said young farmers in Bulawayo were the first to get starter packs, which will give them opportunity to learn as they will be preparing for the bigger projects.
He said the MoU with Empower Bank is on its final stages and they are looking forward to the launch of the programme. – @SikhulekelaniM1.
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