Story by Peter Chivhima
YOUNG farmers have pledged to play their role to transform the country’s agricultural sector as the government works flat out to transform the agricultural sector and ensure food security
Stakeholders in the agriculture sector gathered in Harare for a Young Farmers independence dinner this Friday and they vowed to play their part as they launched an online sales platform.
“We are launching an online sales platform where all agriculture things such as tools, inputs and services will be available at the click of a button, simply dial *144*100#, this innovative idea courtesy of vaya digital coupled with a mobile application which enables the visual aspect of this initiative, to be rolled out across all 60 districts a round of applause,” said Federation of Young Farmers Clubs of Zimbabwe Trust president, Mr Ben Muchedzi.
“We are working together with the government and other parastatals so that we make our country food secure. So far, we have a facility where we are giving farmers loans and tractors so that they improve their farming. We are also partaking in research on how we can improve agricultural productivity,” said farmer and member – Federation of Young Farmers Clubs of Zimbabwe Trust, Tatenda Mukuwe.
The government expects young minds to be innovative and adopt climate smart strategies to ensure the country is food secure.
“We are saying that in Zimbabwe everyone must be connected so that we improve our smart agriculture. My Minister is pleased that young farmers are developing towards ICT. As the Ministry of ICT we have set up and deploy the ICT gargets across the country.
“I would like to appreciate the contributions from corporate partners towards the transformation of the sector,” said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Beaullar Chirume.
“We want young people, young minds to play a part in improving our agriculture. We are in an Elnino induced drought, and fortunately, we have young people. we want you to innovate and do things differently. I don’t see the reason why a nation should hungry whilst we have young minds like you. Surely let’s innovative and make our country food secure,” said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri.
In recent years, the country’s agricultural sector has undergone a profound transformation under the visionary leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa through various interventions such as the launch of Pfumvudza Intwasa and the Presidential free inputs distribution programmes.