KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Mtholophi Mthimkhulu officially launched the forum in Zimpondweni, Ndwedwe.
The MEC urged young people to take part in the agriculture sector and use the land to provide food for their families and sell food products at reasonable prices.
“We hope the youth can help us to fight the high price of food in this country by channeling their energy to farming,” said Mthimkhulu, adding that R30 million has been set aside for the project.
He said the youth were the cornerstone of our society, and therefore the department had a responsibility to help them grow and assist in them developing.
Mayor of Ndwedwe Local Municipality Sithembiso Kubheka said the forum will give thousands of unemployed youth in the area the opportunity to generate money as well as help to feed their families.
This structure, which will be made up of youths from all the regions of the province, is also aimed at encouraging the youth to use the land to harvest profits instead of waiting to find employment.
A youngster from Nongoma, Thandi Shelembe, said she hoped the youth forum would help emerging farmers develop so that one day they would be able to sell their products to stores across the country.
The department is expected to monitor the programme in partnership with the local municipalities to make sure the youth succeeded in farming
Over the next few months, the department will begin distributing the farming starter packs to youngsters in the province who are interested in farming.
The starter packs include seeds, tools and the materials needed for farming.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
