Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ZIMTRADE chief executive officer Allan Majuru has called on Zimbabwean youths to take part in the Eagle’s Nest agribusiness initiative, which aims to bring cutting-edge technologies and value addition to the sector.
The initiative is supported by the embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe and is aimed at building on the achievements of the broader Eagles’ Nest programme, which has been instrumental in nurturing young entrepreneurs and integrating them into mainstream export activities.
Speaking during the Eagle’s Nest Agri-challenge official launch in Harare last week, Majuru said participating in the initiative unlocked the opportunity for them to participate in the export business.
“Indeed, we had no option and together with you and our partners we had to enter the arena by bringing an agriculture and youth-oriented export capacity building programme, The Eagles Nest Youth Export Incubator Agri-Challenge.
“The agri-challenge is an initiative that is meant to harness the potential of our youths and convert it to current and future prosperity,” Majuru said.
He said the programme’s criteria were established with sustainability at its core, with the aim of fostering innovative businesses that add value and have export potential while also contributing to social and environmental goals.
Majuru said responsible business practices were essential for market access, calling on participants to be daring as they embark on a journey to change the agricultural landscape through guidance and development strategies that would help them to develop their business models.
“This is not a once-off campaign. It is a full-scale export incubator built for lasting impact. Over the next several months, 50 youth-led agro-businesses will undergo intensive, hands-on training in key areas such as export packaging and branding, financial literacy, regulatory compliance and intellectual property protection, among others.
“The young entrepreneurs will receive technical interventions from local and international experts. ZimTrade has a memorandum of understanding with PUM from the Netherlands, which next year will reach 10 years. It has been 10 years of impact as we have been receiving expert advice from them,” he said.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade director Senzeni Mateta, who was representing the ministry’s secretary Albert Chimbindi, called on stakeholders, government agencies, development partners and the private sector to support the initiative that is transforming the agricultural sector through innovative practices.
“I urge all stakeholders, government agencies, development partners, the private sector and our financial institutions to support this initiative not just in word but in action,” she said.
Mateta said her ministry was actively forging partnerships that benefited the youth and SMEs through pursuing trade agreements, technical co-operation and investment frameworks that open markets and attract resources to Zimbabwe’s agricultural ecosystem as the initiative aligns with national policies that emphasise youth participation in economic activities for sustainable livelihoods.
“The Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge seeks to flip that narrative on its head. It will cultivate a new generation of agri-preneurs, young Zimbabweans who are not just farmers, but innovators, value creators, exporters and nation-builders and we have introduced several financing windows targeted at youth through institutions like EmpowerBank, AFC Bank and the Zimbabwe Youth Empowerment Bank, enabling startups and smallholder producers to access affordable credit,” she said.
Netherlands ambassador to Zimbabwe Margret Verwijk urged the youth to build sustainable businesses, that are not only driven by profit, but consider climate and humanity.
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