Government has urged youths to dominate the agriculture value chain system and maximize profits by adding value to their products in line with the thrust of the new dispensation.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Principal Director, Jacob Gonese who was the Guest of Honor made the remarks while addressing various youths and stakeholders who attended a Young Farmers’s Club Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Project Phase three launch at Nyamashato Primary School in Murewa last week.
“Youths have to dominate the whole agriculture value chain system, they should maximize their profits by adding value to their products, this is one of our thrusts in this new dispensation. It is very fortunate that our government and organizations such as Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU) and Barclays are so keen to support innovative youths who are willing to put their ideas into practice,
“Agriculture is the key economic driver and the biggest employer in Zimbabwe, hence there is need to take it seriously not as something that should be done by those who have failed to make it in life, I am particularly impressed with the partnership of ZFU and Barclays Bank because it has given birth to projects that improve the capacity of youths in agriculture,” said Gonese.
Meanwhile, celebrating the launch of the third phase of the Young Farmers Club, ZFU and Barclays Bank donated US$70 000 towards the project with the Barclays Bank Managing Director Samuel Matsekete saying they felt compelled to play a role in one of the country’s critixal sectors.
“Together with ZFU, our aim is to help young farmers overcome some of the challenges they face, that may be inhibiting progress in their own endevours, this phase is building upon previous phases and has benefited more than 30 000 young farmers,” said Matsekete.