By Juliet Makwama
The Womens’ Entrepreneurship Access Centre WEAC has observed that programs that aim at empowering young people to participate in sustainable food production systems are encouraging the inclusivity needed for development.
WEAC Program Support Susan Mudwayu Kabwe says young people need to be encouraged that agriculture is a business that can uplift their living standards, and the potential among the youth needs to be harnessed.
Ms Kabwe said this during an interview on the sidelines of a Youth Entrepreneurship Mentorship Programme for Transformative Food Systems whose target was youths captured under the Urban Futures Project being implemented by Hivos and partners such as Global Network Solutions GNS and Consumer Unit and Trust Society CUTS among others.
The Hivos Urban Futures project aims to transform urban food systems by creating inclusive, climate-resilient cities and urban food systems, with a special focus on empowering youth to participate in sustainable food production in view of climate change.
The training aimed at equipping participants with essential skills in marketing, branding, community engagement and sustainable waste management practices tailored for small-scale producers and agrifood enterprenuers.
The training also introduced participants to digital marketing tools and pitch deck preparation.
“We empower youths and for the Urban Futures Project, we have been mentoring them to elevate them through business. We started with them when they were at start up level but we have now have some that are winning awards,” Ms Kabwe said.
She said the youths that are being empowered are being linked to opportunities such as grants while some are partnering with each other to expand their businesses.
And Chongwe Municipal Council Health Inspector Mulemwa Litiya advised youths in the area to take advantage of the business opportunities created in food systems to avoid wastage while improving their health and the environment.
Mr Litiya said there are many business opportunities presented for young people in sustainable food production systems.
Mr Litiya said youths need to take advantage of the waste produced in the food value chain and engage in activities such as recycling and composting, and open cooperatives for them to gain more traction.
Mr Litiya has observed that youths are not adequately taking advantage of the sustainable business opportunities that are being presented to them, and there is need to change this scenario.
“Looking at youths today, they are not pushing so hard to take these opportunities available to them. We have gurus who can even assist them identify opportunities but they are not showing interest,” Mr Litiya said.
He said the environment is friendly for youths to take advantage of the business opportunities available, and they need to exhibit more interest to venture into entrepreneurship activities.
Mr Litiya says the common excuse about limited capital for young people to start up business ventures should not arise and that there are people willing to empower those that show interest.
“I will talk in terms of capital. It takes effort and a willing heart for some one to achieve what they want. The issue of capital cannot be an excuse because the moment people see your willingness, they will help,” he added.
He said youths need to take advantage of the current opportunities in terms of youth empowerment from various stakeholders including local authorities through the Constituency Development Fund CDF and others.
