By Tanyaradzwa Mutizwa
The 2020-2021 summer cropping season's anticipated success has proven a boon for a young farmer. Mr Brighton Mutana (32) is fast turning into a trailblazing farmer in Hwedza, Mashonaland East. On a small six-hectare plot that he rents, Mr Mutana grows tobacco, maize and sugar beans. He has grown into a leading supplier of maize and beans to local boarding schools over the years. "I have been supplying my produce, especially maize and beans, to local boarding schools for years now," he said.
Young people should not be scared of venturing into agriculture because there is a lot of money from tilling the land. The fact that there are no formal jobs in the city means that youths have to create new agriculture jobs.
Mutana dreams of growing his venture into a large commercial enterprise that supplies food crops countrywide. He also plans to venture into horticulture but has struggled to access funding to kick start the project.
"Financial institutions are generally reluctant to extend loans to young farmers. When they offer the loans, the conditions are punitive," he said.
ZANU PF legislator (proportional representation) Tatenda Mavetera (34) is also another youthful agri-entrepreneur making waves as a successful commercial pig farmer. She advised that youths should use agriculture as a vehicle to escape unemployment instead of just sitting back and watching others make money from farming. They need to show interest and get involved, especially now that we have a Government that is giving unprecedented support to agriculture, urged Ms Mavetera.
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera said agriculture was the bedrock upon which Zimbabwe will transform into an upper-middle-income economy. There is a need to harness the youth bulge into a demographic dividend," said Dr Basera.
There is no doubt that the importance of agriculture to the attainment of Vision 2030 cannot be overemphasized. It is advisable now than ever before to crowd the participation of youths in the agriculture space.
"Dear youths, starting to farm is like drinking hot tea: it gets easier after the first sip. "The first sip is always hot but gets easier, tastier, and you enjoy it as you go on. Take the first step and get things done! Never fear paying entry-level fees but learn your mistakes and grow." said Dr Basera. He reminded the youths that the National Development Strategy was creating opportunities for youths and women in the agriculture sectors.
Zimbabwe has a youth bulge that needs harnessing for the benefit of the economy by creating opportunities. The country is developing model youth farmers full of energy and enthusiasm. On the policy front, it is coming up with a quota system for strategic groups such as war veterans, women, youths and the disabled. To show the seriousness government attaches to this matter, President Mnangagwa has pledged that the Government will prioritize allocating underutilized land to youths.
The author is CCARDESA Media Engagement Correspondent in Harare, Zimbabwe.
