Increase funding to youths, State told
By MAILESI BANDA THE 2018 national budget should have increased funding to youth empowerment especially for those engaged in agriculture entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Association of Zambia, economic and agriculture advisor, Kiru Sichoongwe has said.
Mr. Sichoongwe said following the ministers pronouncement in the 2017 budget where he emphasised that the ministry would provide funds for startup capital especially for youths, it was important that funds were dispatched on time to the beneficiaries.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation as he shared his expectations of the 2018 national budget, Mr. Sichoongwe said it was unfortunate that most of the youth who had applied for funds from the 2017 national budget had not benefitted from the funds.
“It is important that pronouncements made during the national budget are accomplished by ensuring that funds allocated to the different sectors of the economy reach the targeted audience in time as delays in doing so has led to some projects failing to take off,” he said.
He noted that it was important for those responsible for the allocation of funds to realise that time was an important factor in business.
Mr. Sichoongwe also said it was important that what was presented in the national budget was implemented to attain meaningful development. He said the agriculture sector remained a key economic sector adding that more investment to the sector by the government would guarantee youth’s employment and the nation’s economic growth.
He said it was important for youths in agriculture to be empowered with entrepreneurship skills for them to take agriculture as a business.
He advised the government to come up with a plan that would ensure funds allocated to different economic sectors reach all parts of Zambia.