Vusumuzi Dube
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
WITH planting for the 2024/2025 summer cropping season intensifying, youth farmers have been urged to embrace innovation to boost their production for good yields.
The youth constitute over 60 percent of the national population and young agriculture entrepreneurs continue to emerge in the country taking up farming as a viable career option.
This growing interest by the young people continues to contribute to food security in the country. Known for being tech-savvy, young farmers in the country are being called on to use modern technology effectively in their agricultural production.
“Youth farmers play a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry as they bring new perspectives and skills that are key to revolutionising the sector.
“They are quicker to adapt to new innovation and technology that is why we are calling on them to utilise these through precision agriculture, drones, and mobile apps which are essential in reducing waste of produce and increasing efficiency, leading to higher yields,” said Young Farmers Collective vice-chairperson, Mr Clive Munakandafa.
With the normal to above-normal rainfall forecast for this season following the 2023/2024 summer cropping season that was affected by the El Nino phenomenon, he said youth farmers should make the most from the good rains.
Mr Munakandafa said they should also plant according to their agro-ecological matching to make sure they make correct choices that match the climatic and soil conditions of their regions to boost production.
He added: “In light of the lessons learnt from the previous farming season that was characterised by heavy losses due to the drought, I urge young farmers to adopt new farming plans that take into account the lessons learnt from the drought and adapt climate-smart agricultural practices that can help mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Mr Munakandafa said registered seed companies have a range of drought-resistant crop varieties that can withstand prolonged dry conditions according to the dictates of agro-ecological regions. He said there was a need to also take seriously, water conservation methods techniques such as using drip irrigation.
“Insurance is another key aspect in protecting youth farmers’ investments and should form a part of their risk management plan. Above all, we need to keep educating ourselves on good farming practices and expand our knowledge,” he said.
“With the advent of the Zimbabwe Online Agricultural College, we do not need to interrupt our farm operations for the sake of studies. We can now run both simultaneously.”
Meanwhile, excitement is building ahead of the 2024 Young Farmer Awards ceremony slated for 6 December at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) arena to celebrate young farmers’ various achievements, innovations and invaluable contributions to the economy.
The event will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.
The two ministries’ joint efforts underscore the Government’s commitment to empowering the youth and recognising their pivotal role in driving agricultural development in Zimbabwe.
Young farmers have fast become the bedrock of farming in Zimbabwe and with the successful youth, the future of Zimbabwe’s agriculture is guaranteed.
Over the past few years, young farmers have become involved in all aspects of farming from crop production to poultry and horticulture.
They have registered significant milestones in farming after several empowerment initiatives by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa consistent with Government’s economic blueprint the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Online Reporter