Description
The Challenge
It is often very difficult for Zambian youths to get started with farming their own plots. They, and their families, lack the capital they need in order to purchase the seed and fertilizer necessary to get started. As a result, there are many youths in rural areas with no steady source of income, no opportunities, and no real direction in life.
The Agripreneur Solution
Agripreneur wanted to create a pathway for these youths to earn and save money. Towards that end, we created the Youth Empowerment Program. We have initially identified three farmers who will serve as mentors to 5 youths each (including at least 2 girls). They will instruct the youths in various small-scale income generating skills, such as organic gardening, pig farming, grafting and budding, and poultry rearing. We start by giving each student a garden bed at the teacher’s farm, as well as the necessary seed, and teaching them proper organic farming. They are then allowed to sell their produce (with our assistance), and we encourage them to reinvest the money by expanding their gardens, starting to grow a larger crop such as maize or soy beans, and/or purchasing small animals such as chickens or rabbits. In other words, using the business skills we have taught them in order to earn the money necessary to begin farming.
The Numbers
An example of the Youth Empowerment Program cost per Garden (assuming a 1/8 hectare garden) is set forth below:
| Item | Cost (Kwacha) | Cost (USD) (1) |
| Garden Fencing | 0 (2) | 0 |
| Labour | 0 (2) | 0 |
| Vegetable Seeds | 500 | $27.50 |
| Garden Tools | 400 (3) | $22.00 |
| Total | 900 | $49.50 |
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Notes:
- At an exchange rate of 18.2 Kwacha to 1USD
- The Youths will provide the labour to construct the fences, plant and maintain the gardens.
- Such as hoe, shovel and buckets.
Required Donation to Sponsor One Child in Youth Empowerment Program
$49.50 USD
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