The African Union (AU) Permanent Ambassador for Southern Africa, David Pierre, has advised the youth in Malawi to take to farming instead of just waiting for employment.

Pierre, who made the statement during activities marking Zomba District International Youth Day, said agriculture can improve their lives.

A 2019 Labour Force Survey found that 21.7 percent of the nation’s youth aged 15–24 were not in employment, and approximately 27 percent of those with a job were underemployed.

Trading Economics also put the unemployment rate in Malawi at 6.0 percent in 2020, from 5.60 percent in 2019

‘We need to change our attitude towards farming. The youth must consider agriculture as another sector that could take them to prosperity’, Pierre said.

‘Farming is a better option because Malawi in particular, and Africa in general, depends on agriculture for economic growth. However, that economic growth will not be achieved if the youth, who are in majority, do not take part in the process’.

Pierre therefore appealed to government to consider incorporating in the education system an element which would allow young Malawians appreciate agriculture as a driver for economic growth.

Malawi’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture, which accounts for one third of its GDP and nearly 80 percent of employment.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), agriculture accounts for 58.4 percent of youth employment but productivity remains low.

Director of Youth Networking in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Judith Msusa, agreed with Pierre on the need for the youth to take to farming.

‘However, as a ministry, we are doing everything possible to ensure the youth take farming seriously’, Msusa said.

‘In addition, we also run a number of interventions that provide the youth with skills in technical, entrepreneurship and agriculture. We also train them in ICT, manufacturing and small-scale mining’.

Source: Nyasa Times

Photo source: USAID in Africa