by Innocent Mujeri
Youths across the country are geared to ensuring food security in the country by venturing into various agricultural activities, the Chief Programs Coordinator Youth Desk in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Mr Nickros Kajengo told the Harare Post in an interview held recently.
During the interview, Kajengo gave an update of the Government funded piggery project which has been rolled out in the country’s ten provinces.
“We have toured the provinces rolling out the Government funded piggery project. The project is meant to economically empower youths and also ensure food security in the country. The youths have applauded the program and vowed to work extra hard to fulfil President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of attaining an upper middle income economy by 2030,” said Kajengo.
Kajengo said together, with other officials from the Agriculture Youth Desk within the Ministry, had toured the country meeting various young farmers who are engaged in various agricultural activities.
According to Kajengo, activities on the ground clearly shows that food shortages are going to be a thing of the past as youths were working harder to maximise production on farms.
Kajengo further said that many youths had diversified into other agricultural activities beside growing crops.
“Youths are no longer focusing on growing crops only. Some youths have ventured into piggery and poultry projects whilst some are into fish farming and cattle ranching. They are doing all this to ensure food security in the country,” said Kajengo.
According to Kajengo, the youths had heeded President Mnangagwa’s call to put politics aside and work towards economic revival.
Kajengo said that in order to reach out to youths across the country, the Youth Desk in the Ministry, is also disseminating agriculture related information on online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
“Information is power, hence we have taken it upon ourselves to interact with youths through the social media sites. COVID-19 has hampered us from physically interacting with most youths, hence we are making use of our social media sites to ensure that no youth is left behind in issues to do with agriculture.
“We are interacting with youths through our official Facebook and Twitter pages. At least over 20 000 people are visiting our Facebook page daily to get information about agriculture. We also have WhatsApp groups where youths in farming can get expert information from Agricultural experts,” added Kajengo.
Meanwhile, Coalition of Agriculture Graduates (CAG) Chairperson Dickson Kubvakacha applauded the recognition they are getting from Government.
Kubvakacha said the New Dispensation was serious about the empowerment of youths through agriculture as many youths had benefitted from poultry and piggery projects that were spearheaded by the Government.
Addressing youths at ZANU PF Headquarters in 2018, President Mnangagwa implored youths to positively contribute to the country’s development through engaging into various income generating projects.
Currently, the Government is undertaking a land audit and more youths are expected to get agricultural land after the exercise.
