Lack of startup capital and limited access to land have been identified as major factors hindering the participation of refugee youths in farming activities in the country.
The concerns were raised on Tuesday at Dzaleka Refugee Camp during a three-day workshop organized by Salama Africa, MACODA and FEDOMA. The initiative aims to equip refugee youths with skills to venture into farming in the upcoming agricultural season.
Project coordinator for FEDOMA, Ganizani Gabriel, said the two-year project is expected to help refugee youths build sustainable livelihoods and generate income, ultimately contributing to the development of their host communities and the country at large.
Gabriel also called on stakeholders to create more opportunities for refugee youths in various sectors to promote self-reliance and economic participation.
“Beneficiaries of the agricultural project in Dowa District are being encouraged to increase production, as they have been equipped with the necessary knowledge and will also receive farm inputs,” he added.
An official from the Dowa District Agriculture Office, Chimweme Kazizi, expressed confidence that the training will help emerging farmers improve their crop and livestock production through the skills acquired.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Theophile Ishimwe, commended the organizers for the training, noting that skilled farmers are able to achieve higher yields in their farming activities.
