The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has challenged the youth in the country to venture into agriculture which has proved to be a viable and lucrative source of income.
DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe said young people should not only wait to be employed in the formal sector but rather strive to engage in other viable businesses such as agriculture as a way of sustaining their livelihood.
Mr. Kabwe said government supports such ventures, especially winter maize farming, adding that DMMU is also open to support the youth as part of coping capacities and reducing vulnerability and poverty as espoused in the Seventh National Development Plan.
“Government has been consistent in early supply of farming inputs like fertilizers and early maturity seeds that youths can take advantage of and engage in farming.”
“The Office of the Vice President through the Department of Resettlement has enough resettlement schemes where youths can go and do their agriculture practices,” Mr. Kabwe said.
He added that addressing challenges of young people require their active participation and taking a leading role in creating opportunities for themselves.
Mr. Kabwe further urged traditional leaders to help youths with land for farming, highlighting Chief Chipepo who has offered to give land to any youth regardless of tribe, region or religious affiliation wishing to venture into agriculture.
“Away from my duties as DMMU National Coordinator, I have continued to engage in farming as another way of generating income. During the 2019/2020 farming season I managed to harvest 3,300 by 50kg bags of maize against the 1,200 bags from the 2018/2019 season.”
“In addition to the maize, I am also involved in the growing of various cash crops and livestock rearing,” he added.