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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) yesterday launched an association aimed at empowering and developing up-and-coming farmers in the country.

Guest of honour, ZCFU Matabeleland North provincial chairman Winston Babbage said his organisation would engage Agritex to assist young farmers with technical support.

“Today we launch Young Farmers Association of Zimbabwe (YFAZ). Farming should be passed on to young farmers as they’re the future. ZCFU will support these up-and-coming farmers. We’ll engage Agritex to assist with technical support and advice on farming,” he said.

YFAZ chairman Ayanda Ndlovu said the association’s main objective was to advocate for a favourable agricultural environment for their members.

“We want to negotiate for a favourable agricultural environment in terms of policies, discounts and subsidies on behalf of young farmers. By saying young farmers, we’re talking about the new people in the farming business regardless of age and also the youths,” said Ndlovu.

He said his organisation would represent young farmers to relevant authorities in order to address the challenges they face.

“We’ll keep the farmers educated on new farming methods possibly source markets for their products by undertaking appropriate agricultural research programmes for the association’s members.

“In addition, we’ll lobby appropriate authorities to address the challenges they come across,” said Ndlovu.

He added that YFAZ would provide and facilitate provision of technical, extension, administrative support and advisory services to members through workshops.

So far, the association has 10 members.

“We hope to increase our membership in the near future. We’ll create a website which will enable us to reach more farmers,” Ndlovu said.