The Sunday News
Nqobizitha Dhlamini Farming Reporter
YOUNG farmers are playing an important role in ensuring that the sector grows contrary to age old beliefs that farming has always been a domain for senior citizens.
Hence, Government working with various stakeholders has arranged awards to recognise the contribution of young farmers to agriculture.
The Young Farmers Awards will be held in Harare in August.
In an interview, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for cropping Cde Davis Marapira said his ministry was working with the Federation of Young Farmers Clubs to ensure that more youths are enticed into agriculture.
“We are quite impressed with the work that is being done by these youngsters because some are actually taking the lead in a sector which has always been headed by the senior citizens.
These youths are excelling in different areas of agriculture including horticulture and poultry but I am particularly impressed with the tobacco farmers for they are doing a great job in terms of producing quality tobacco and running their agric business well,” he said.
Cde Marapira said the maturity shown by the young farmers in spite of challenges was laudable adding that this was contributing to reducing unemployment in the country.
“Instead of complaining to the Government about unemployment, these youths have decided to take the bull by its horns and create a source of income for themselves.
Not only are they making good profit for themselves, they are also creating employment for their fellow peers making it possible for other people to take care of their families,” he said.
Cde Marapira said more young people must consider farming as it was a sure way of triggering economic revival.
“We should all strive to play a role in terms of resuscitating our economy rather than wait to be spoon-fed.
Every little effort makes a difference both on the economy and in one’s pocket hence we encourage more youths to try farming as a source of income.
That is the reason why we are supporting these awards as they are a great initiative as the deserving will be rewarded while others will be motivated to reach those goals that have been reached by others,” he said.
Federation of Young Farmers Clubs vice-president Mr Tatenda Mavetere said the awards were meant to motivate, acknowledge and promote young agricultural business for prosperity.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Zimbabwe was once considered the breadbasket of Southern Africa and it has begun to turn around after a decade-long recession that saw a sharp drop in agricultural production, falling incomes and increasing food shortages.
With 70 percent of people relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, the strength of this sector is seen as key to economic recovery.
In 2012 the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency released a census report which showed that the agricultural sector was the country’s largest employer.
The 2012 census showed that the highest proportion of employed persons had their occupations in agriculture (50 percent).
