ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF YOUTHS IN AGRICUTURAL VALUE CHAINS (VCs):

BY TALENTUS MTHUNZI, VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING TEAM LEADER, ORAP

• ORAP was founded to eradicate all forms of poverty by facilitating culturally appropriate development processes

• Works in-Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Bulawayo and recently with a little activity in Masvingo

 

• Zihluze (Examine yourself)• Ziqoqe (Mobilise yourself)• Zimisele (Self determination)• Ziqhatshe (Employ yourself-entrepreneurship)• Zenzele (Do it yourself)• Zimele (Self reliance)• Ziqhenye (Be proud of yourself)• Qogelela (Save-financial component)

Reflection on cultural values as a platform for sustainable human development

• Lack of access to valuable information• Few agricultural assets• Lack of investment opportunity • Minimal technical support• Undefined marketing options

Asset creation Agro-enterprise development market

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF GOAT VALUE CHAIN

• Encouraged to take a leading role• They are trained on asset management

(value addition)• Trained on conservation works vs climate

change (value addition)

ASSET CREATION ( dip-tanks, sale-pens, dam rehabilitations)

• Engagement in quality goat production• Trained on farming as a business (FaaB)• Engage in innovation platforms that

influence market development and policy change (local, national & global)

• HIV/AIDS & gender mainstreaming

AGRO-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPT

• Trained on goat marketing • Form marketing groups• Engage with buyers (ICTs included)• Become local buyers who sale to regional and

terminal markets• Expansion & diversification opportunity identification

MARKETING

• Well informed youths on VCD and marketing• Sustainable agricultural assets• Availability of economic opportunity• Better defined marketing options• Policy change • Food and Financial resilience

• Youths in rural areas have the potential to engage in vast agro-enterprises but need support

• They have much to offer to the whole global economic system if their agricultural systems are developed

• Engagement of youths from a grassroots level and their cultural context results in sustainable agro-enterprises