YOUTH FARMERS IN MPONGWE TAKE A CHANCE WITH YAMS

Yams pounded into meal and used to cook porridge 

WHEN youth think of lucrative employment, they usually fantasize about anything other than getting their hands dirty with soil or absorbing the scent of livestock. However, as the trends in entrepreneurship change due to changing the preferences among people, the need for food and nutrition remains constant. As such, farming continues to be the income generation which is guaranteed to have a constant clientele.

As youth unemployment remains a challenge worldwide, a significant number of youth are being compelled to be creative and take a leap into entrepreneurship. Musonda Katongo is 26 year old youth and member of a cooperative group that is generating a steady income from the production and processing of yams.

As yams are not our common staple food among the people of Zambia, opting to go into yam production entailed some amount of research and self-education was needed to ensure that the venture of yam production would guarantee a return on the cooperative’s investment.

Chabutete Yam and Tubers Cooperative is a group of farmers base in Mpongwe district of Copperbelt province. The Cooperative which was established in 2017, is today processing their yams into a health drink, coffee and it is also pounded into meal.

“Yams are very nutritious. They are rich in antioxidants and vitamins: B6, C and E; and the yams we process are very organic,” Musonda shared.

Musonda Kasonde at the 

at the recently held Zambia

International Trade Fair

Musonda disclosed that through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chabutete accessed entrepreneurship and skills training which has enabled them access much needed to credit to purchase their basic processing equipment.

The Cooperative was privileged to have received support from district’s local constituency development fund (CDF). With this support that have managed to purchase locally-made processing equipment.

“But we would like to expand and become more commercial,” Musonda said.

With their equipment, the Cooperative currently produces on average 250 litres of yam juice which helps them generate K3,500 per week.

“One of the lead causes of diseases is poor nutrition and yams are a good source of nutrition,” Musonda emphasized.

Chabutete Cooperative was exhibiting their products at the recently held Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola which was held under the theme Stimulating economic growth through partnerships, trade and investment.

Partnering with and investing in youth like Musonda Katongo and his peers are one way to stimulate growth in the agricultural sector. -NAIS