NEW: 21 000 youths to get agribusiness training

Online Reporter

AT least 21 000 youths countrywide are set to get training in agribusiness, as the government partners private players in mainstreaming young people in the agricultural sector.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said youths constituted over 60 percent of the national population.

“As we acknowledge that the greatest part of our population are youths, it is imperative that we can’t ignore them.

“It is high time we lure them with new technologies and modern skills so that they take Agriculture as business,” he said.

This comes at a time the Ministry is collaborating with Zimbabwe Young Farmers Trust (ZYFT) in a bid to revolutionise the nation’s agricultural landscape by launching innovative young farmers’ clubs across all 210 constituencies, providing agribusiness training to 21 000 youths.

This initiative, designed to cultivate a new generation of agripreneurs, will kick off with a launch event in Mashonaland East on March 22.

Spearheaded by ZYFT president, Mr Josephat Tanga, and business development manager, Mr Dickson Chibamu, the programme aims to address youth empowerment through practical agricultural training and support.

“We are going to launch an innovative farmers club in Mashonaland East on 22 March 2025.

“The selection process shall be done per ward in consultation with Agritex officers, youth coordinators, councillors and local leadership,” said Mr Tanga.

He said the programme will select five youth groups, each comprising 20 members, from every constituency, resulting in 1 050 groups nationwide.

These groups, he said, will receive comprehensive training and certification, working closely with Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and other relevant stakeholders.

“After five years another group shall be selected and get assistance,” Mr Tanga said.

Mr Chibamu said the initiative is aligned with government policies, focusing on key areas such as farmer training, aquaculture, horticulture, financial literacy, market access, business formalisation, value addition, and poultry production.

“The purpose of this initiative is to empower youth by aligning themselves with government policies and initiatives that benefit the youth,” he said.