Ministry moves to promote young farmers in rural areas

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and 4-H Zimbabwe Foundation have signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding on the promotion of youths in agriculture in rural areas.

The programme targets the youth (16 to 35 years) and schools in support of Government’s effort towards sustainable agriculture and livelihoods as stipulated in the Agricultural Recovery Plan and National Development Strategy (NDS 1).
The objective of the MoU includes the setting of schools and youth clubs nationally, the implementation of “learn by doing” approach within the youth and schools, the promotion of agricultural activities in the country and facilitating exchange programmes locally, regionally and internationally and also the facilitation of youth mentorship programmes in agricultural colleges and universities in the country.

“This MoU will help to guide the activities for youth in agriculture in Zimbabwe through exchange and capacity building initiatives,” said Mr Francis Vengai deputy director education department in the Ministry.

He commended the work being done 4-H Zimbabwe Foundation in uplifting livelihoods for rural communities through farmer capacitation. The organisation is running a National Youth mentorship programme and Rural Young Women Entrepreneurs in Agriculture Mentorship and Empowerment program (RYWEAME) in Midlands (Chirumanzu), Mashonaland West (Hurungwe) and Matabeleland South (Bulilima).

Its focus areas are in improving and promoting youth targeting rural marginalised young women in best agricultural practices, climate smart agriculture, climate change and adaptation and financial management. 4-H Zimbabwe board chairperson Mrs Wendy Madzura said the main objective is to complement the efforts of the Government through nurturing, mentorship and conducting empowerment – agricultural programmes for the youth in agriculture throughout the country.

The organisation has worked with Whawha Prison in the Midlands and established an agriculture club to nurture inmates on the importance of agriculture and skills impartation in ensuring economic growth for prisoners when they have finished serving their term and released into the community.

It has facilitated the rehabilitation of Jairos Jiri greenhouse gardens assisting people with disability to be able to earn a living from the proceeds. It has also worked with several schools in Zimbabwe (Harare, Bulawayo, Midlands, and Mashonaland Central provinces) in setting up school agriculture clubs. The two parties will be operating in all provinces and will co-operate with private players and developmental partners who undertake to work with the youth in agriculture in the country.