Staff Reporter  

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Prof Obert Jiri, has reiterated Government’s commitment to creating an environment that supports and nurtures the aspirations of youths in agriculture.

Writing on his X blog, Prof Jiri said the future of agriculture lies in the hands of youths whom he said consists 62 percent of the nation’s demographics.

“Our Ministry is committed to a comprehensive approach, uniting the entire government and society. Together, we create an environment that supports and nurtures the aspirations of our youths in agriculture.

“The future of agriculture lies in the hands of our youth, constituting 62% of our nation's demographic. Let's actively engage them in the development of the agriculture sector for a rejuvenated future,” wrote Prof Jiri.

One of the signature policies of the Second Republic has been the promotion of youth participation in agriculture.

To this end, some of the programmes initiated to benefit the youth by Government under agricultural sector include, the Presidential 10-hectare scheme where youth received A2 plot permits,  incubation hubs for research and development .

 Vocational Training Centres which were built in every province for skills training and development and to improve the national cattle  genetics, the Government effected the Presidential Youth Heifer Scheme.  In 2022 alone over 600 heifers were donated to the youth.

Government has also deliberately established a Youth Desk within the Ministry.

The Youth Desk is responsible for coming up with programmes tailored to increase the number of youth farmers and youth value chain players in the agricultural sector.

Government’s agricultural policies have won the hearts of many in the region and internationally.

In 2022, the Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University Centre of African Studies acknowledged the impact of Government agricultural policies in promoting youth participation.

“Unlike most African countries where the average age of the farmer is 60, most of Zimbabwe’s farmers are young. Almost 57% of women between the age of 20 and 31 and 47% of men in the same age bracket grow fruits and rear livestock in Zimbabwe. That makes the country something of a trailblazer,” wrote Johan Burger in an article published on the University’s website.