adminPatrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
Gweru will next month host the Agricultural Growth Poles (Agropoles) Summit that will lay the groundwork for the establishment of Agropoles and information centres which will transform the agricultural sector and empower the youths.
Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi has set up a nine member steering committee to oversee the hosting of the summit and implementation of the resolutions.
The steering committee will be chaired by a young commercial farmer from the Midlands Province, Mr John Muchenje.
Mr Muchenje will be deputised by Mrs Memory Nyakwina-Chakwita who is also a commercial farmer in Mashonaland East.
The secretariat will be made up of Mr Nickross Kajengo from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and Mr Sungano Chisina from the Zimbabwe Youth Council.
Other members are Ms Esheness Masimure (secretary for Academia), Ms Rumbidzai Waungana (secretary for minority groups), Mrs Angie Mikiri (secretary for marketing), Mr Kudakwashe Munsaka (secretary for projects) and Mr Gabriel Togarepi (committee member).
Cde Togarepi’s appointment of the steering committee in consultation with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce after realising that a number of resolutions made during the ZANU-PF conference have not been implemented.
He said a full committee will meet at the summit to deliberate on the strategic plan and pilot proposals. Mr Muchenje said the Agropoles will create employment and unlock investments into the country.
“We are in short of foreign currency and such initiatives will assist in the generation of much needed foreign through exports.
“Farmers also need to be empowered through value addition. We need our farmers to benefit in the value addition process,” said Mr Muchenje.
He said the youths were riding on the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra declared by President Mnangagwa adding that the steering committee will also be responsible for marketing these hubs with the view to promote business in the country.
The committee he said will work with all stakeholders and was apolitical adding that nominations are in progress with the above having been seconded already.
Cde Togarepi said: “The steering committee has been tasked to hold a workshop to conscientise the youths on the new development that will culminate in the holding of the Agropoles summit in Gweru at the end of November.
“The Zanu-PF Youth League in its drive to create jobs for millions of youths in the country as articulated in the 2018 party manifesto is in the process of setting up agro business hubs and information centres which will create employment for the people.
“Agropoles and processing zones will be set in provinces and regions. The area of concern shall be agriculture and all its value chains. This will increase production and supply of agricultural produce, enhance value addition and beneficiation of agricultural produce and at the same time address market challenges.”
Online Reporter