Agriculture Zim’s economic backbone
AGRICULTURE is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy contributing immensely to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is also one of the major foreign currency earners after the mining sector.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement has identified youths who have been outstanding in the agriculture sector among them Mr Nikros Kajengo. Mr Kajengo has been applauded for his efforts in empowering the youths through various programmes.
Our Senior Agriculture Reporter, Elita Chikwati (EC) speaks to Kajengo (NK) on his interests and contribution towards the upliftment of the youths in farming. EC: Mr Kajengo you have been identified as one of the champions in the agriculture sector. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? NK: Nickros is a development practitioner, born and bred in Rushinga District, Mashonaland Central Province. I am a sample analyst under the Department of Research and Specialist Services, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement. I am responsible for the enforcement of Fertiliser, Farm Feeds and Remedies Act and at the same time I am the Ministry’s Coordinator for Youth in Agriculture. EC: What’s your background? NK: I was born and bred in Rushinga. I did my O-Level at Nyamatikiti Secondary School and also did my A-Level at Rushinga High School. I am a National Youth Service graduate, trained at Dadaya Training Centre, Midlands Province, in 2003. Since then I had the passion to serve my country and the youth at large. In 2004 I was elected Secretary for Finance (Youth League) Nyamasanga ZANU-PF Political District. I have held several portfolios for the youth at district level. At the moment I am also serving as a ZANU-PF Mashonaland Central Provincial Member (Youth League) (Deputy Secretary for Tourism and Environment). In the Year 2004, I joined the Ministry responsible for Education as relief teacher in Rushinga District till 2005. In 2007 I joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as an extension officer. I worked under the Department of AGRITEX, now called Crops and Livestock Department till 2011. In 2011 I was assigned work as a sample analyst under the Department of Research and Specialist Services. My duties involved the inspection of agro-dealers in line with the Fertiliser, Farm Feeds and Remedies Act. In 2016 I was appointed the coordinator for the Youth in Agriculture. I am a holder of an Honours Degree in Development Studies and currently I am Studying for a Masters Degree in Development Studies. I have as well done a number of in house training programmes in youth development and agriculture locally and abroad. EC: What inspired you to lobby for the upliftment of youth in the agricultural sector? NK: To me agriculture itself is the life blood of the current generation, the means of sustainable livelihoods and the only way the country can sustain itself. The land reform programme launched by the Government more than a decade ago proven beyond doubt to me that the Government is committed to economic empowerment and indigenisation. It’s indeed motivating to see black people owning assets and land. I fully believe that the sanctions imposed by the West to our country can only be overcome by youth participation and mainstreaming in the national economy specifically agriculture. I am of the view that it’s the youths can absolutely shape their own future. EC: Who inspired you to champion
the interests of young farmers? NK: I drew encouraging notes from the veterans of the liberation struggle such as our own President Mnangagwa, VP Chiwenga, (Retired) Cde Perrance Shiri, Cde Victor Matemadanda, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Cde Samuel Parirenyatwa and Dr Chris Mutsvangwa only to mention a few who joined the bloody and risky liberation struggle at youthful age. I was also inspired by the youthful history of Hon Cde Kazembe Kazembe who has been devoted to the development of his nation. EC: Have you led any youth organisation? NK: I led several youth associations in
agriculture such as: i Zimbabwe Revolutionary and Patriotic Youth Network( ZIRAPAYON) Secretary General 2012-2013 ii Patriotic and Revolutionary Youth of Zimbabwe Organisation (PREYZO) Executive Chairman(2014) iii Zimbabwe Youth Empowerment
Platform Executive Chairman( 2015) iv Zimbabwe Internet Governance Forum Member (Representing Youth) (POTRAZ) 2016 v Zimbabwe Youth Council Board Member and representing Agriculture Sector (2016) vi Zimbabwe Agro-tourism Platform
Board Member (2018) vii Zimbabwe Young Exporters Platform
Board Member (2018) I have also attended regional and international functions held in support of youth in agriculture ; 2016 Nairobi, Kenya, Youth and ICT in Agriculture and in 2017 I went to China for the China , Youth Employment and Empowerment for Zimbabwe. EC: As a youth what are your expectations from stakeholders in the industry? NK: I am expecting the stakeholders to support the youths in agriculture. The notion that the youths abuse inputs and resources should be dealt with caution since it is a drawback in terms support for the youths and youth mainstreaming effort of the Government. Youths require capacity building, financial support and inclusion in national decision making. I as well expect the stakeholders
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