The Zambian government has stepped up efforts to drive agriculture as part of its diversified economic growth plan, by urging young Zambians to take up farming.

At the launch of the Global African Agribusiness Accelerator Platform (GAAP) on Wednesday, vice-president Inonge Wina, spoke to the country’s young people, urging them to take advantage of initiatives that have been put in place to promote agri-businesses.

“Youths must consider taking up agriculture as a business, and stop perceiving it as an activity for retired and elderly people,” said Wina.

GAAP seeks to identify, and work with, active African agri-business owners aged 40 or younger, to grow their enterprises by 20%/annum over a three-year period.

“Youths must consider taking up agriculture as a business, and stop perceiving it as an activity for retired and elderly people,” said Wina.

According to a statement released by her office in Lusaka, the vice-president stressed that it was important for young people to get involved in farming, if the stubbornly high levels of poverty are to be radically reduced.

“The introduction of young people to farming is important because the youth can contribute to a significant reduction in poverty,” she said.

“They can take advantage of the various programmes government has put in place to promote agri-businesses.”
GAAP has indicated that agriculture is a legitimate carrier path to financial independence, for young people.

More than 70% of Zambia’s estimated population of 13 million is made up of people who are younger than 40.