Tinaye Agere
Aaron Charungwa Moyo
Youth Buzz
TWO Marondera-based sisters, Precious and Primrose Chakaingesu, have become the envy of many in Mashonaland East, after excelling in layer poultry farming.
While their academic results were not impressive, with Precious (28) having obtained three passes at Ordinary Level and Primrose (26) only one, the sisters focused on life skills that have seen them make decent income.
Through the Green Jobs Initiative aimed at empowering youths — funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Government — the sisters managed to attend short courses for agriculture at the Marondera University of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
The capacity-building initiative assists youths to go through fully sponsored skills training programmes in apiculture, horticulture and poultry rearing. Start-up capital is also offered to the beneficiaries.
For Precious and Primrose, the support has turned out to be a game changer. Through the three-week-long course, the sisters were able to gain skills to set up and manage their agro-based business ventures in the Mashonaland East Ward 19 rural area.
“Instead of looking for employment or getting into early marriages, like what some of our peers did after failing O-Levels, we shifted our mindset to engage in horticulture and poultry projects.
“With assistance from KOICA, FAO and Government, we are doing pretty well. Our situation is better than that of many formally employed people. We wish to continue growing the business to provide the whole of Mashonaland East with poultry and horticultural products,” Precious said.
The siblings have about 5 000 layer chickens that produce over 4 500 eggs daily.
Both said the secret to their success is hard work and perseverance, as every day, they start work at 4am to feed the chickens and inspect the fowl runs.
During the day, they also collect, sort and record the number of eggs hatched.
“We have created a fairly huge market base in Rusape, Marondera and Harare. Our clients also include educational institutions around Mashonaland East.
“We are receiving huge orders from schools and universities, where we supply hundreds of eggs per day,” Precious said.
The sisters also produce tonnes of manure, which they utilise for their horticultural and tree planting initiatives.
“The project requires lots of commitment. We have lost chicks due to cold weather. The administration and preservation of vaccines, without refrigerators to keep them fresh, are also a challenge. We also have power shortages but we face these challenges as they come and we do not stop,” Primrose said.
Precious and Primrose urged youths in Zimbabwe “not to shun rural areas but get their hands dirty”.
“Instead of congesting the city, looking for white-collar jobs, I urge the youths in Zimbabwe to shift their mindsets by getting life skills. I will always be grateful to Government, KOICA and FAO for empowering us, youths.
“This shows that anyone can lead a decent life, regardless of academic qualifications. All you need to do is focus on your strengths and do not be discouraged by those who may say you cannot do it,” Primrose said.
Online Reporter