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Elton Manguwo
AT least 200 young farmers have started doing various projects courtesy of a US$2 million grant availed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) with the Government placing strong emphasis on agriculture as the vital cog in youths’ empowerment jigsaw.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development youth desk chief programmes coordinator Mr Nickros Kajengo recently revealed that beneficiaries were participating in projects such as fish farming, poultry, bee keeping, crop farming and organic fertiliser production.
“The programme, which is being implemented in eight provinces is targeting to deliver and develop entrepreneurship opportunities for young people,” he said.
The organic fertiliser initiative is set to ease production costs for the farmers who will be producing different crops using the locally produced fertiliser. It will also help to cut on fertiliser imports.
“Production of organic fertiliser locally reduces the country’s import bill, which is a key aspect in dealing with the ripple effects of shocks in the global supply chains, more importantly as it eases the effect of imported inflation,” said Kajengo.
The Government is pushing for beneficiaries to occupy strategic positions in the agriculture value chain in a move that is set to create employment for the youth.
Youth engagement in agriculture continues to be an important aspect of African development, as besides employment creation, youths bring in fresh energy and skills for maximum production and growth of the agriculture sector.
The development comes at a time the Government is looking to integrate 65 percent of the youth population into agricultural production banking on youths’ familiarity with modern technology, which brings innovation and development into the sector.
“Youths’ engagement in agriculture continues to be an important aspect of the country’s development as youths bring in fresh energy and skills for maximum production and growth of the agriculture sector,” said Kajengo.
More so, the youth desk is coordinating agricultural projects being funded by various NGOs and inter-governmental agencies such as Green Jobs for rural employment by FAO and opportunities for rural youth employment by SNV.
The youth desk is making efforts to increase youth participation in agriculture with more than 5 000 young farmers having so far been trained on sustainable farming practices, the history of the agrarian reform, farming as business, financial literacy, crop value addition and livestock production basics in accordance with the mainstreaming of business practices in the agricultural sector.
Mr Kajengo further highlighted that since the national economy is agro-based, young people should be absorbed into the mainstream economy therefore the establishment of a youth desk shows the Government’s commitment to ensuring youths’ participation in the entire agriculture value chain.
Online Reporter