The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
A NEW trend is emerging in Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector, with an increased number of young people taking up farming.
The farming business is proving to be an attractive source of employment and wealth creation.
In the past, young people used to view farming as a preserve of the older generation.
Staying on farms full time was considered backward as youths preferred to work and stay in urban settlements.
However, times are changing and observations made by The Manica Post Business show that a number of youths in Manicaland are falling in love with farming.
Youngsters are now toiling on farms and enjoying the fruits of the “dirty” work.
Some have left their jobs in the cities to till the land.
Interestingly, most of the youths do not own the land they are working on and most are renting from those failing to fully utilise their farms.
Maize, goat rearing, free range chickens, broilers, small-scale piggery and horticulture are the main ventures being favoured by the young and emerging farmers.
Maize is also heavily funded by the Government through the Command Agriculture and Pfumvudza initiatives and this seems to be attracting the youths who ordinarily would struggle to access bank loans for inputs due to lack of collateral.
The youths are spicing up agriculture with technology as they are using it to maximise production and market their produce.
Mr Joe Mugomba (34) of Rusape is one such farmer. He is taken up farming full time and is registering significant success on his farm.
Mr Mugomba is producing maize, potatoes and tobacco. He also has a piggery.
“I acquired my farming experience through a hands-on approach. I stay full time on the farm. I started with tobacco and the piggery but this year I decided to venture into maize and potato farming. I recently harvested the potatoes and have discovered that it is a very profitable venture. In fact, the potato crop has a better yield than tobacco.
“I have 50 hectares of maize under Command Agriculture. This scheme has helped to attract a number of youths to take up farming seriously as its terms and conditions are favourable.
“Government should also assist upcoming farmers with irrigation equipment. A five-hectare centre pivot is enough for a farmer like me.
“Fellow youths should not hesitate to take up farming as a business because there are a lot of opportunities in this sector. I do not regret quitting my job to take up farming full time,” said Mr Mugomba.
National Youths in Agriculture Apex Council Manicaland coordinator, Mr Farai Mapfumo, said youths prefer to venture into horticulture farming.
“The high returns from farming have attracted youths to farming. The realisation that a farmer’s produce is needed in every household and industry on a daily basis more than any other business has led to an increase of youthful entrepreneurs venturing into farming.
“Farming is rewarding and the youths are reaping huge rewards, especially from horticulture. It is preferred because of the short turn-around time. It does not require vast tracks of land or huge capital injections.
“The biggest challenge is securing capital and collateral when acquiring loans from lending institutions. Most youths do not have the collateral,” said Mr Mapfumo.
