Harare, (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe government has hailed the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the role that it is playing in championing youth involvement in agriculture throughout the country.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Kudakwashe Mupamhanga said this at a meeting to assess the Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment (GJ4RYE) project being funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The project has benefited 288 youths from six districts around the country where FAO offers scientific expertise while the KOICA funds the youth projects.
It has also supported broader research and policy initiatives related to youth employment, climate resilience and the just transition.
Mupamhanga said the unwavering support and visionary initiatives by FAO and KOICA have empowered young people to become active agents of change, driving sustainable development in rural communities.
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the FAO for their unwavering partnership and steadfast commitment to empowering the youth of Zimbabwe.
“Together, we will continue to cultivate a future where our young people are empowered, self-reliant, and actively contributing to the social and economic development of our nation,” he said.
He said in addition, Zimbabwe recognizes the profound impact of global geopolitical events, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, on food security worldwide.
“The post-COVID-19 landscape has also presented unique challenges that require innovative solutions. As we navigate these turbulent times, we look to the FAO, SADC, and the United Nations for guidance and support in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Mupamhanga said the establishment of the Agricultural Youth Desk in his Ministry is a testament to the government’s unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders.
He added that the desk serves as a vital conduit, connecting ambitious youth with the resources, training, and opportunities they need to thrive in the agricultural sector.
The implementation of a National Youth Policy has been a pivotal step in the mission to holistically address the needs and aspirations of the youth, he explained.
Speaking at the same occasion, FAO Deputy representative to Zimbabwe Louis Muhigirwa said the rural development agenda is enshrined in Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 and the Africa 2030 Agenda, which the UN agency has embraced in the past four and half years.
“Through the voices of its main stakeholders and participants, the project has provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on how best practices and lessons learned on employment creation and efforts towards more inclusive agrifood systems can inform national policies and strategies, as well as more youth-oriented development projects.
“Part of these efforts involve bringing youth to the table and enabling their active participation in policy dialogue on employment and the green economy,” he said.
Muhigirwa added that it was important to ensure that employment issues are better incorporated into the country’s political climate agenda, including the role of rural young people who make up a majority of the population, to achieve a Just Transition for all.
Chegutu in Mashonaland West, Chimanimani in Manicaland, Kariba (Mashonaland), Kwekwe (Midlands), Marondera (Mashonaland East) and Mazowe (Mashonaland Central) are the current beneficiaries of the project.
Beneficiary youths receive sector-specific training on sustainable poultry production, organic vermicomposting production, tree nurseries, post-harvest fish processing, beehive making and beekeeping.
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