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Mangaliso Lawrence Kabulika
GOVERNMENT’S drive to prepare youths to seamlessly take over the agricultural production processes from ageing farmers continues to gain traction with 200 young people currently attending a capacity building programme at Mazowe Bridge, Mashonaland Central.
The training programme that got underway on Sunday is expected to run until April 12, 2024. At least 5 000 youth have since been trained in various farming activities, as Government moves to integrate 65 percent of the youth population into the country’s agriculture development.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development youth desk chief programmes coordinator, Mr Nickros Kajengo told this publication that the programme was targeting to create a vibrant and prosperous agricultural sector, contributing to the overall socio-economic growth of the country through equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge.
“We want an economy that is sustained by youths in agriculture and to make sure that they contribute a significant portion of the agriculture gross domestic product (GDP). The youths must therefore take advantage of the sound agribusiness environment in the country to actively participate in developmental matters,” said Mr Kajengo.
Mr Kajengo added that the initiative was reflective of Government’s commitment to supporting young people and encourage their active involvement in agriculture while addressing the issue of drug and substance abuse among the rural youth.
“We believe that while equipping young people with agricultural skills, it is crucial to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse. This problem is not limited to urban areas, as it affects rural communities as well. By investing in agriculture and discouraging such practices, we can ensure that our vision for 2030 is fully realised,” said Mr Kajengo.
The programme will address a range of topics that include horticulture, poultry farming, financial literacy, mechanisation, community development and entrepreneurship.
Participants who successfully complete it will be awarded certificates during an official ceremony scheduled for April 12, 2024.
One of the key objectives of the programme is to provide opportunities for the distribution of tractors and poultry to youths and institutions thereby fostering further empowerment and development in the agriculture sector.
Mr Kajengo highlighted that the event also had the potential to promote agro-tourism in the region, aligning with the principle of ‘leaving no place behind.’ Furthermore, participants will enjoy indigenous foods produced in the area while learning how to value-add them for more revenue.
“They will have the opportunity to engage in various agro-tourism activities such as fishing and exploring the natural forests. They will also eat indigenous fruits, tubers and wild vegetables such as tsongora, handamwarera, mujatapopotedzana, kariburo, hekwe, humbamuparara and nyakorowa that are found in the area,” said Mr Kajengo.
Online Reporter