Agroecology workshop seeks to empower Chipinge youth

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

A training workshop on Agroecology that has begun today (August 19) and shall end tomorrow in Chipinge seeks to empower youth to become agroecological entrepreneurs.

The workshop that is coordinated by The Green Institute with support from IM Swedish Development Partner (IM) is being attended by youth from Chipinge ward 19 (Mt Selinda), ward 17 (Chikore), ward 5 (Tongogara), ward 3 (Mutema) and ward 24 (Checheche).    

According to the director of Green Institute, Blessing Matasva, the youth from those wards lack access to viable economic opportunities, leading to high rates of unemployment and poverty.

“The Chipinge District in Zimbabwe faces significant challenges in securing sustainable livelihoods for its youth population. Agriculture arguably remains the mainstay of the economy and the largest source of livelihood of the largest rural population of Zimbabwe. Its performance directly impacts the rural people’s lives.

“With smallholder agriculture currently underperforming due to climatic shocks, there has been increased hunger and poverty in rural Zimbabwe. Many young people in wards 19, 17, 3, 5 and 24 lack access to viable economic opportunities, leading to high rates of unemployment and poverty.

In response to this, we training the youth on agroecology and sustainable livelihoods, with a specific emphasis on goat and rabbit farming so that the youth can become agroecological entrepreneurs,” he said.