Support youths in agri-business

Youths both in urban and rural areas are the future of humankind and are one of the key players to
achieving sustainable development in the country and therefore need proper guidance from an early
age so that they can play their roles when the times comes.
For a landlocked country like ours that relies on agriculture as the key driver of its economy, it is
prudent that we engage young people in the agriculture sector if the country is to achieve a middle
income economy by 2030.
Youths should take agriculture seriously, since there is a large, untapped reservoir of employment
opportunities in this sector.
With the world facing a number of challenges like climate and environmental change and global
inequalities in food security, nutrition and employment, it is time authorities invest in young people
in agriculture for food security, poverty reduction, employment generation, as well as peace and
political stability.
Government should unveil more land to youths especially those coming from agriculture colleges.
Thereafter, the young farmers should be exposed to innovative practices and technologies as well as
training to derive benefits from agriculture and the nation to achieve food security and good
nutrition.
Banks should provide credit facilities to low income earners embarking on agricultural production
and other micro enterprises, with special consideration to the youths.
The empowerment of youths reduces cases of drug abuse and early child marriages. Increased
involvement of youths in agriculture will help reduce the problems of the ageing farm population
and increasing youth unemployment.
Youths should therefore utilise land through sustainable agricultural projects so as to increase the
growth in the agricultural sector since Zimbabwe’s economy is agro-based.
A lot needs to be done to make the agriculture sector more attractive to young people and to
promote their capacities to generate income.
We call for the development of systems, policies and programmes that engage more youths in
agriculture as this will turn them into major players in the resuscitation of the economy.
On their part, young farmers should form groups and consortiums so that they can share agricultural
business skills and work as team to achieve mainstream economic projects.
There is also need for youths to establish business group structures in order to ensure that business
concerns are addressed and that they may have a facility for business proposal creation, project
funding among other issues.

Those without land can start at a small scale by establishing community gardens where they can
grow tomatoes, onions and vegetables to sell and generate income.
Youths should join projects being established by different agriculture organisations so that they
learn how to fully and professionally use availed land by the government. This will end cellphone
farming as they will be on site at all times.