By Solister Mogha
Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) through Emeritus Insurance Company Thursday donated 100 beehives to three cooperatives in Zomba as part of youth empowerment.
The support is part of the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Thondwe, AGRA Sustainable Farming Specialist, Richard Kaonga said AGRA is one of the organisations that is committed to improving agriculture productivity and commercialisation.
Kaonga further said that the organisation values youth participation, noting that young people have the potential to drive the agricultural sector to greater heights.
He said through the YEEFA programme, the institution decided to support the youth by giving them beehives.“What we believe in is youth empowerment through agricultural support. It is our hope that through the beehives, the youth should be able to achieve their goals, establish themselves and support their households,” Kaonga said.
Chief Agriculture Officer for Zomba , Misheck Chawala hailed the organisation for what he described as timely support.
Chawala said the government depends on partners such as AGRA and the Farmers Union of Malawi to complement its efforts, as it cannot reach every corner of the country on its own.
Chawala said the support will contribute significantly to the attainment of the agriculture commercialisation pillar under the Malawi 2063 development agenda.
Chawala then appealed to the youth to actively participate in the business and be focused.
“To show our commitment to the programme, our office will from next week start training for all the youth who have been supported in business management,” he said.
In Zomba , there are 105 farmers organisations involved in bee keeping.
Ian Kawo, one of the beneficiaries commended AGRA for the support.
