Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANZIBAR Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla and the US Ambassador in Tanzania, Donald Wright have called on youths who have benefited from the ‘USAID/Feed the Future Tanzania-Advancing Youth programme’ to use the knowledge and skills acquired to boost their economies.
The programme, which was implemented in Zanzibar, Mbeya and Iringa regions in Mainland, supported youths in rural areas, aged between 15 and 35 years to engage in agribusiness and other rural value chains and increase their economic opportunities while promoting leadership and healthy lifestyle.
The programme has reached more than 43,000 young people since its inception in 2017 to August this year when it is coming to an end. It has provided 5.3bn/- (USD 2.3 million) in grants in Zanzibar alone.
The VP commended the US for funding the programme and also interacted with the AY program beneficiaries who provided their testimonials on how the program has been beneficial to them during the closing ceremony held here yesterday.
He said that agribusiness provides opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. It can be the key to their life and contributes to the country (Tanzania)’s economic transformation.
“Empowering youth through the Feed the Future was additional to the ongoing government initiatives which includes the 31bn/- revolving fund from the IMF Covid-19 relief fund,” Mr Abdulla said.
“The money from Covid-19 relief funds is available; there shouldn’t be any unjustified barrier to get them,” the 2nd VP stressed as he directed all respective authorities to ensure that youth who apply for the loans do not get difficulties in getting them.
Mr Abdulla also emphasized that farm products from the youths and other local people should find a market at home.
Zanzibar Ministers, Simai Mohamed Said (Tourism and Heritage) and Mr Shamata Shaame Khamis (Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, and Natural Resources) who were present at the closing ceremony pledged to ensure that hotels purchase vegetables and fruits from local farmers.
Ambassador Wright noted in his remarks that, “US government remains committed to continuing supporting and collaborating with the people in Tanzania to achieve vision 2025 (Mainland) and Vision 2050(SADC Vision) which aim to uplift Tanzanians’ lives.”
He said that through the USAID, the focus is on enterprise-driven youth development in all sectors as a more sustainable way to empower Tanzanian people and communities on their journey to self-reliance.
The envoy explained that the USAID seeks to increase and deepen engagement with the private sector and embrace market-based approaches as a more sustainable way to achieve development and humanitarian outcome.
Programme Manager, Ms Ngasuma Kanyeka AY reached 43,000 youth (including 15,670 in Zanzibar) in five years while the target was 33,000.
“As we close the programme, about six hundred jobs were created and 882 different businesses were established or improved in Zanzibar,” she said.
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