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Ashton Mutyavaviri
FIFTY-SEVEN youth farmers yesterday received certificates in agribusiness after completing a 10-day training run by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department (FARD) in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
The collaboration is part of the ENABLE-Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme funded by the World Bank.
Speaking during the ENABLE TAAT certificate presentation, FARD director Mr Milton Makumbe said the training was meant to boost youth participation and confidence in the country’s development.
He urged youths to take the training seriously and utilise the knowledge to propel the country towards attaining an upper-middle income economy by 2023.
FARD production officer Mr James Mambeva shared the same sentiments saying the training would see the transformation of youths’ mindsets, as they will now take agriculture as a business.
“The purpose of this training is to change the mindset of our young farmers so that they take agriculture as a business not a practice.
“I encourage you all to take these trainings seriously. It is the starting point of all things and you should be exemplary to other youths across the country. They should learn from you,” said Mr Mambeva.
FARD deputy director Mrs Lillian Nyashanu said since the stocking season had ended, it was time to accelerate agribusiness training especially for youths who contribute most to national development.
“Dam stocking is currently on hold because fish do not favour winter temperatures. It will resume in the summer season,” she explained.
Mrs Nyashanu said the target was to establish 4 800 youth business units (YBUs), 35 000 village business units (VBUs) and 10 000 school business units (SBUs) across the country.
Meanwhile, Norton youth fish farmer who got her certificate, Blessing Mafundikwa applauded Government’s commitment to empowering young people, saying it was a crucial towards shaping youths’ lives.
“If you take a close look, many youths have nothing to do, which leads to some taking dangerous drugs, others getting into early marriages or even picking unwanted pregnancies.
“Nevertheless, the Government’s efforts to empower young people is helping us take the right direction, shaping our future paths. I hope one day I will be able to use the knowledge I received and also assist others get a prosperous future,” she said.
Another fish farmer Mrs Felistus Muregi expressed her gratitude towards the Government’s efforts in empowering young farmers across the country.
She conceded that she had now been equipped to create income through farming.
Online Reporter