By: Takudzwa Ignatius Kutoka, Y4N Global Ambassador
This blog post aims to provide an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on youth in agribusiness in Zimbabwe. It highlights key findings, offers insights, and suggests potential solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant and lasting effect on the worldwide economy, with a particularly deep impact on industries like agriculture, especially for young entrepreneurs. In Zimbabwe, a country strongly dependent on agriculture, the pandemic worsened pre-existing difficulties and presented additional barriers for young farmers.
An Overview of the Demographics of Young Farmers
Prior to exploring the effects of the pandemic, it is crucial to comprehend the characteristics of the young farmers being discussed. The study, centered on the Mutoko region, uncovered a primarily female (76.1%) and youthful (predominantly aged between 18 and 35 years old) population. Although the majority of farmers have a high level of education (95.7% with secondary education or more), they often work on tiny plots of land. A considerable proportion (62.5%) manage between 1 and 2 hectares. This demography represents a group of young, well-educated individuals who work in agriculture but have limited access to resources.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the agribusiness industry
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the economic well-being of these young farmers. The convergence of mobility restrictions, supply chain interruptions, and limited market access resulted in a highly challenging situation.
Farmers encountered challenges in obtaining vital inputs such as fertilizers, insecticides, and seeds due to limited access. The importation of these crucial supplies was impeded by supply chain interruptions and border restrictions, resulting in increased prices and restricted availability.
Furthermore, the implementation of lockdown measures presented substantial limitations on the mobility of commodities and individuals, hence creating obstacles for farmers in transporting their agricultural products to markets. Consequently, there was a decrease in the need for recently harvested agricultural products, resulting in an excess supply and reduced prices.
Financial hardship ensued as farmers' revenues were severely affected by the combination of decreased yield and restricted market access. The vast majority (84.6%) reported a decrease in income exceeding 50%. The situation was worsened by the shutdown of restaurants and boarding schools, which are important outlets for agricultural goods.
The protracted economic adversity resulting from the epidemic posed a significant risk to the sustainability of farming as a means of living for many young individuals. Due to declining revenues and a pessimistic future, several individuals were compelled to completely leave agricultural activities. In a time when we as a global society want young people to be connected to nature and the land, and when the agricultural sector needs the innovation and energy of young people willing to continue or transition to sustainable and regenerative farming practices, this is not good news.
Government Initiatives and Their Effects
The building of a fruit and vegetable processing business in Mutoko exemplified a governmental endeavour to counter this trend and bolster the efforts of youthful farmers. Although this facility provided some alleviation by decreasing traveling expenses and offering a consistent market, its influence was restricted. Due to the plant's limited capacity and the sector's overall issues, it was unable to completely offset the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
The Zimbabwean government earmarked ZW$17 million as a relief fund to aid young individuals whose businesses or livelihoods were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the fund gave priority to registered youth companies and associations, its distribution has been impeded by issues related to accessibility. Empowerbank, the designated financial institution, has a restricted number of branches across the country, which could potentially hinder the government's endeavors to reach and assist the intended recipients.
Another government-led solution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was Zimbabwe's Presidential Poultry Scheme. The primary goal was to empower young people by providing poultry resources such as chicks, feed, and housing. Although the initiative aimed to alleviate economic hardship and food insecurity, its overall impact has been mixed. Although some recipients were successful in establishing poultry initiatives, the scheme's full potential was hampered by barriers such as a lack of resources, disease outbreaks, and limited market access. However, the program remains an important step toward promoting youth empowerment and agricultural development in Zimbabwe.
The Pfumvudza Scheme was implemented in Zimbabwe as a climate-resilient conservation agriculture program designed to tackle food insecurity worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent droughts. Although the program has demonstrated potential in enhancing agricultural productivity for certain participants, its effect on young people has been varied. Although the program provides chances for enhancing skills and independence, there are worries regarding the restricted availability of land and resources for young individuals, as well as the long-term viability of the program beyond immediate relief initiatives.
Recently, the Presidential Goat Scheme, a government initiative was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on empowering young people. The program's objective was to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and promote self-sufficiency by providing goats to young people. Although the program has achieved some success in generating income and providing livelihoods, its overall impact on mitigating the economic consequences of COVID-19 has been restricted by factors such as the crisis's severity, the slow pace of distribution, and the challenges faced by beneficiaries in obtaining essential support services.
Proposals for the Future
Overall, we see varied results and success rates from these 5 initiatives implemented to support young farmers since the pandemic. While we see the most common barriers being the availability of and/or access to resources (especially in rural areas), the pace of and distribution channels used by top-down decision-makers, as well as weak biodiversity and a lack of long-term support, this piece yields an opportunity to review deeper, more long-term solutions to these challenges. There are numerous proposals to improve the agriculture industry and provide help to young farmers to have sustainable livelihoods, including:
Enhanced Government Assistance: The government should allocate specific financial aid, such as subsidies and loans with low interest rates, to aid farmers in recovering from the repercussions of the epidemic and to facilitate their investments in agricultural activities.
Capacity building is essential for young farmers since it involves investing in training and education programs to provide them with the necessary skills to effectively adapt to evolving situations and embrace sustainable practices.
Enhanced Market Access: By promoting infrastructure development, e-commerce platforms, and providing assistance to cooperatives, farmers may expand their client base and gain easier entry into markets.
Promoting the use of technology, such as precision agriculture and digital platforms, may improve efficiency and resilience.
Encouraging farmers to diversify their crops and add value to their products can assist in mitigating risks and enhancing their potential for revenue generation.
Young farmers in Zimbabwe encounter considerable climate-related challenges, such as droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns, and they are essential for addressing climate change and promoting biodiversity. Adopting sustainable practices such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture enhances soil health, increases resilience, and contributes to carbon sequestration. Providing climate-smart training, access to information and resources, and investing in resilient infrastructure is essential for achieving a sustainable and resilient agricultural future in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe may enhance its agricultural growth by adopting these techniques, which would provide a conducive atmosphere for young farmers to surmount the obstacles caused by the pandemic and make valuable contributions. This can also be replicated in other African countries given our agrarian-based economy as a continent.
All photos provided by Takudzwa Ignatius Kutoka
References
Burger, P. (2021). Youth in agriculture in Africa: Investing in a new generation. World Bank Publications.
Constitution of Zimbabwe Act, 2013.
FAO. (2011). The role of women in agriculture: FAO’s work in gender and food security. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2020). COVID-19 and food security: Rapid assessment. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Nyagadza, D. (2019). Impact of border closures on agricultural output and food security in Southern Africa: The case of Zimbabwe. Journal of International Food and Agribusiness Management, 32(2), 111-122.
Nyagadza, D. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe. Sustainability, 13(13), 7070.
OECD. (2020). The COVID-19 crisis and the agri-food system: Impacts and policy responses. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.