Agricultural Youth Desk

BACKGROUND

The Agricultural Youth Desk usually refers to a platform or initiative dedicated to engaging and supporting youth involvement in agriculture. Youth in agriculture offer a dynamic workforce that is innovative, have a high uptake of technological know-how and the ability to take on significant level of risk.

The agricultural sector presents huge opportunity for the creation of employment to absorb the youth and ensure achievement of food security for future generations. National Development Strategy 1 aims to empower the society and grow the economy. His Excellency the President of The Republic Zimbabwe Cde Dr. E.D Mnangagwa pronounced an upper middle income status by the year 2030.

Global population is expected to increase from 7 billion to 9 billion by 2050, with youth (15-35) accounting for about 14% of this total (ILO,2014). With the rapidly rising population, there is an equal increase in demand for food hence worsening the global food insecurity especially in rural communities.

Positive achievements were recorded year in and year out making reference to Article 1V, Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for a Share Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, (2014), call for commitment to halving poverty by the year 2025, through Inclusive Agricultural Growth and Transformation.

It was agreed by Heads of State and Governments in Africa, that African government can create job opportunities for 30% of the youth in agricultural value chains hence the need for the youth to be part of this transformative journey. This is buttressed by the conducive environment created by the 2^nd Republic such as the alignment of Zimbabwe’s Constitution Respectively Section 20.

On the 4^th of July 2023 Cabinet formalized operationalization of Youth Desks across all government line ministries.

FUNCTIONS

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Agriculture Youth Desk aims to engage young people in agriculture by providing them with information, resources and opportunities to get involved in the agricultural sector.

CAPACITY BUILDING

It may organize programmes, workshops, and seminars to build the capacity of young people in areas such as agricultural techniques, entrepreneurship, marketing and leadership skills

ADVOCACY AND POLICY ENGAGEMENT

It may advocate for policies that support youth participation in agriculture and represent the interest of young farmers in policy formulation processes

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

The Desk may serve as a hub for disseminating information on agricultural policies, practices, innovations, market trends, and opportunities relevant to young farmers and agripreneurs.

NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION

Facilitates networking opportunities for young farmers and agripreneurs to connect with each other, industry, experts, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector

PROMOTION OF INNOVATION

Agriculture Youth Desk may promote innovation and technology adoption among young farmers by providing access to information on new agricultural practices, tools and technologies

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT

May offer support and guidance to young entrepreneurs in starting and scaling their agricultural businesses including access to finance, markets and mentorship

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

The office aims to empower young people by providing them with skills, knowledge, resources and support they need to succeed in agriculture and contribute to sustainable development

REPORTING

Preparing sectoral reports and policy briefs.

COORDINATION OF YOUTH BUSINESS UNITS AND PROVINCIAL YOUTH HUBS

The office coordinates Provincial Youth Hubs and Youth Business units. Government aims to establish 2800 Youth Business Units throughout the country where two YBUs will be established per each and every rural ward of Zimbabwe.

RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES

The office may do research on youth in agriculture related issues, the office may carry out case studies in various countries and regions.

BRANDING EXERCISE

The office may Correct the poor branding of agriculture and correcting a perception of agriculture as an unattractive career option for the youth. Youth Desk coordinates National Young Farmer Excellency Awards Programme.

PRINCIPLES

The Youth Desk is driven by the principle that each and every citizen of Zimbabwe should have availability of and access to adequate, safe and nutritious food to eat at all times (1996 World Food Summit).
The Youth Desk believe that young people should feed the nation with huge investment on agricultural production and productivity.
The Youth Desk believe that a hungry stomach is a source of violence and conflict. Food security for all people is a pathway towards national peace, stability and economic development.
Patriotism, Discipline and Entrepreneurship are three pillars of production and productivity.
Inclusivity is a vehicle for economic empowerment.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. His Excellency the President The Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa in 2019 launched Annual National Young Champion Farmer Awards Programme and its being held annually.

2. 1200 young commercial farmers were profiled and their success stories published through print, electronic and social media platforms. The programme is ongoing.

3. Conducted Capacity Building Programme for youth between 2021 and 2023. More than 20 000 youth have been trained to date

4. Awareness on Drug 1and Substance abuse held

5. Launch of Musika Solutions which provide online market services for agricultural produce.

6. Youth in agriculture data base by enterprise, scale of production and region has been put in place.

7. Research on youth mainstreaming in other countries such as Europe, Asia and Africa.

8. Launched EmpowerED Farmer Magazine that highlights the positive strides being made by government in pursuit of youth empowerment through agriculture.

9. The office co-pioneered the Green Economy Magazine which was launched in Egypt in 2022.

10. Coordination of National Capacity Building Programme and approximately 6000 youth trained between 2022 and 2023.

11. Coordination of Provincial Youth Integrated Hubs.

12. Coordination of land allocation to the youth.

13. Mainstreaming of youth in inputs and related resources such as the Presidential Climate proofed Input Scheme (Pfumvudza, Presidential Piggery Scheme and the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS).

14. Engaging fellow youth in agriculture in several countries:

- i)Kenya
- ii)South Africa
- iii)China
- iv)Russia
- v)Great Britain and Northen Ireland
- vi)Zambia
- vii)Namibia
- viii)Botswana
- ix)Mozambique
- x)Uganda
- xi)Malawi
- xii)Ecuador
- xiii)Egypt
- xiv)Rwanda
- xv)DRC Innovation

ON GOING PROGRAMMES

1. Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment

This programme is sponsored by FAO aimed at mainstreaming youth in agriculture and creating employment through agriculture.

2. Opportunities for Rural Youth Employment

This project is directly funded by Government of Netherlands through SNV aimed at creating employment for the youth in the sector

3. Youth inclusion under SIRP sponsored by IFAD.

The project targets community youths. They will be deployed to agricultural colleges for training and business induction

4. Capacity Buiding Programme

This programme aim to provide youths in various communities with tailor made agricultural skills and is directly funded by treasury through the ministry or departments

5. Land Allocation to the Youth

The office in partnership with the Party and Department of Lands Management and Administration is identifying some pieces of land for some youths trained under the Provincial integrated Programme which was launched by His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa in Kwekwe on the 7^th of January 2022.

6. Coordination of Village Business Units