By Dean Chisambo
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has encouraged the youths, women and other disadvantage groups to participate more in Agri-interpruership through ‘Ukama Utsawi programme the CGAIR regional initiative in order to make money
Speaking during the research findings presentation made by Kirk Development Research Consultancy on Youth Engagement In Agripreneurship: Landscape Analysis In Malawi Stakeholders Validation Meeting on Thursday in Lilongwe, IFPRI Senior Research Fellow Development Strategy and Government Division Kristin Davis said the findings has given the path way on how the international organisation, the government of Malawi and other stakeholders can support the youths in agriculture Agripreneurship in this country.
Davis said Agri-business is very important because it’s an engine for economic growth despite misconceptions that deters the youth saying farming is very old fashioned and it’s dirty. She said the youth have become more interested in agriculture according to international statistics, they are turning to be more involved in Agri-business which is the way when it comes to money making.
In his remarks Kirk Development Research Consultancy lead consultant Amon Kabuli said the findings are a bit interesting in the sense that the youth have got a number of challenges that hinders them going into Agriculture as a business.
Kabuli said the findings has shown that the youths are lacking skills to be able to venture into Agripreneurship, access to finance is also a problem, access to land by the youth is challenging and also the Mindset Challenge of thinking Agriculture is Old fashioned.
On his part Director of Agriculture Extension in the Ministry of Agriculture Pearson Soko said the findings are in line with what the country has been observing on youth engagement in agripreneurship.
“We have a number of initiatives in agricultural productivity and commercialisation as Malawi 2063 pillar number one. There is need for youth to fully participate in agriculture to achieve the MW2063. Youth participation in agriculture is not an option,” he said.
He added that as a government they have particular projects like Agricultural commercialisation and National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) which is normally targeted call proposal to ensure that youth and women should participate in agriculture commercialisation.
Senior Researcher for International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Dr Karen Nortje emphasised on the need to harness ideas by the youth saying they are enthusiastic about what they want to do.
One of the youth farmers, Fainess Kazembe from Mambe Club, Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka appealed to stakeholders to assist them address challenges if the youth are to fully participate and take agriculture as a business.
The Kirk Development Research Consultancy made the three months research from October to December 2023 in the districts of Balaka, Chikwawa, Nkhotakota and Nkhatabay respectively.
The Ukana Ustiwa programme is a CGAIR regional integrated initiative and they are working to diversify for resilient agrifood systems in East and Southern Africa.
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