Agriculture Reporter
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development has unveiled a new youth business unit (YBU) model in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North, in a bid to empower the youth.
This initiative is a pivotal part of the Government's strategy to arm young Zimbabweans with the tools and expertise necessary for launching financially viable and environmentally sustainable agricultural projects.
The launch, which took place at Mhlabangubo Primary School, was led by the Ministry’s permanent secretary, Professor Obert Jiri.
During the event, Prof. Jiri discussed the critical importance of the project, especially in light of the El Nino-induced drought that has severely impacted local farmers, leaving many with scant harvests.
“This year, His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, declared the drought a State of Disaster, emphasising the harsh realities of climate change. In response, our Ministry is rolling out youth business units across the nation to help our young citizens develop resilient agricultural practices and ensure food security at community level,” said Professor Jiri.
According to Professor Jiri, the YBU aims to install solar-powered boreholes in every ward, providing young farmers with the infrastructure needed to tackle the challenges posed by the changing climate.
Professor Jiri encouraged the youth to adopt precision agriculture techniques and focus on cultivating drought-resistant crops like sorghum and millet, particularly in dry regions.
“Our Agritex officers are ready to assist farmers with vital information on crop suitability based on regional climate conditions. It's crucial that our farming decisions are informed and strategic, avoiding unnecessary risks that lead to self-caused hunger when crops fail due to unsuitable planting choices,” he stated.
The pilot youth business unit in Tsholotsho has been equipped with a cleared, tilled, and fenced piece of land, along with a solar-powered borehole and free-range chickens.
This setup provides a foundation for the youth to embark on a variety of agricultural ventures.
Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities and Tsholotsho South legislator, Musa Ncube, also spoke at the launch, encouraging young farmers to fully leverage the resources provided.
“Our President envisions a future where every village has access to a solarized borehole, enabling our youth to launch sustainable projects. We are even planning to acquire an incubator for the community so that eggs from the donated chickens can be hatched and that borehole water can be used to start nutrition gardens,” explained Deputy Minister Ncube.
Meanwhile, the initiative follows the successful introduction last month of a similar model at Nketa High School in Bulawayo, which aims to equip schools with the capabilities to sustain themselves financially through green energy-driven agricultural projects.
