The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Digital innovation within the agriculture sector can lead to greater participation of young people in the age-old sector, Heifer International Zimbabwe country director Kainos Masvinu has said.
Official data shows that Zimbabwe’s population is dominated by the youth.
According to the 2014 Human Development Report, Zimbabwe is a youthful country, with approximately 67,7 percent of its 13 million total population under the age of 35.
The annual population growth rate estimates range from 2,4 to 3 percent, and projections indicate a population of 23 million by 2030.
Mr Masvinu says more youths can be involved in agriculture:
“Young people show little or no interest in pursuing employment opportunities in the agriculture sector. However, digital technologies are rapidly changing the agriculture employment landscape, creating jobs that require a new set of skills and that are more profitable and appealing to the youth,” he said.
“The agricultural sector is seen as crucial to addressing the disproportionately high levels of youth unemployment, underemployment and poverty.
“Not only is the sector of vital importance to rural economies worldwide – and particularly in developing countries – it also possesses significant untapped development and employment creation potential.”
Earlier this week, three agriculture digital applications for the Zimbabwean market – the Online Lead Farmers Training, In-service Training App and the Zim-Agrihub – were launched.
