The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare
Youth Buzz
CONSIDER agriculture as a business.
This has been the Second Republic’s loud exhortation to all involved in working the land for a living.
In days gone by, living and working in communal lands as a full-time farmer was generally considered a preserve of elderly retirees.
This mentality has, however, since changed with the advent of the Second Republic.
Over the last five years, an increasing number of people, including the young, are turning to farming as a full-time occupation.
With the youth accounting for about 60 percent of the country’s population, naturally, they are taking the lead in the ongoing agricultural revolution.
Some have turned into “overnight” millionaires through sheer hard work and perseverance.
They have turned humble small pieces of land in rural backwaters into thriving enterprises, comparable to any burgeoning business venture in the city.
Those who have stood head and shoulders above the rest are now set to be rewarded for their industry during the second edition of the National Young Farmer Excellence Awards set to be held in Harare on Friday this week.
The awards — organised by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development — recognise outstanding young farmers for their contribution towards food security and economic growth.
The event is slated for the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society’s Exhibition Park (Showground).
It will run under the theme “Harnessing the Youth for Accelerated Socio-Economic Development”.
Youth Desk coordinator in the ministry Mr Nicros Kajengo said: “We are really excited.
“The Vice President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, has written to us confirming his availability to officiate at the event.
“Indeed, all is set for the awards, and those who have shown resilience will get deserved recognition.
“We thank President Mnangagwa for rolling out several programmes biased towards the youths — access to land, creating ward-based youth hubs, among others that have empowered youths to contribute to household and national food security.”
He said the awards have eleven categories.
“We have a category for Best Grain Farmer, under which we will be awarding farmers who produced best-quality grains in maize, wheat and traditional grains.
“Under the horticulture category, we will be awarding the Best Nutritional Garden and the Best Ornamental Farmer, while the Best Livestock Farmer Award will cover those in beef, dairy, poultry, rabbits, fisheries, goats, sheep and piggery farming.”
Other categories include best farmer in sugarcane, tobacco, cotton and smart agricultural production.
There will also be an award for value-addition, innovation and the best seed maize producer.
“We will have special awards that will be handed to the best farmers’ union leader, innovation promoter, team builder and mentor of the year.
“As we continue leaving no place and no one behind, we are also going to give awards to agriculture reporters of the year from the print media, electronic and social media,” said Mr Kajengo.
He added: “Integrating the dynamism, energy and innovative potential of youth in agriculture is crucial to increase agricultural productivity, meet the food and nutrition needs of our population and increase the competitiveness of Africa in global food markets.”
