Young Farmer Proves Agriculture is a Viable Business for Youth

A 28-year-old farmer from Ntabazinduna in Umguza District, Mr Mthunzikayise Mlotshwa, has chosen to channel his knowledge and energy into wheat production, creating employment and improving local food supply in the process. Armed with degrees in Applied Mathematics and Big Data Science, Mr Mlotshwa started farming in 2018 with broiler chickens and has since transitioned into horticulture and wheat production. He cultivates two hectares of wheat under drip irrigation powered by solar energy and borehole water.

Key Takeaways:

• Mr Mlotshwa started farming in 2018 with broiler chickens in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, before transitioning into wheat production.
• He cultivates two hectares of wheat under drip irrigation powered by solar energy and borehole water.
• Mr Mlotshwa has created employment for his peers, hiring seasonal workers during peak times like weeding, harvesting, and ploughing.
• He also gives back to the community by allowing people to fetch water from his pumps.
• His journey reflects the spirit of the National Youth Policy in Agriculture, which encourages young Zimbabweans to embrace farming as a business through access to land, inputs, and skills development.
• The Government is supporting young farmers through initiatives such as the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) and youth-focused agricultural support programmes.
• Mr Mlotshwa's vision is to grow his market, expand production, and become a reliable supplier of wheat across the country.
• His passion for farming is driven by his family, with his mother being an Agritex officer and his father loving farming.

Statistics:

• Mr Mlotshwa cultivates two hectares of wheat.
• He started farming in 2018.
• The Government projects the horticulture sector to become a US$2 billion industry by 2030.
• The Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan was launched by President Mnangagwa in 2021.
• The plan has seen exponential growth in key high-value crops.

Sources:

• "Young Farmer Proves Agriculture is a Viable Business for Youth"
• [No external sources mentioned, as the text only includes internal information.]