International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) say that young people’s active participation in income-generating programmes can make them self-reliant and provide them with viable livelihoods.
The observation was made during a joint monitoring visit of ILO Director of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Wellington Chibebe and IFAD Country Director for IFAD Bernadette Mukonyora at Naturals Limited Company in Lilongwe in order to appreciate work that ILO’s ProAgro youth project in collaboration with the Global Skills Programme is implementing in Malawi with funding from IFAD.
According to Mukonyora, the project has demonstrated that tapping into the youth dividend is key in ensuring that they become critical players in economic development.
On his part, Chibebe said the Pro-Agro Youth project is not only focusing on equipping youth with relevant skills but also prospective employers that will create more jobs for fellow youth.
Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Director of Planning in the Ministry of Labour, Wezzie Kayira Madzi, has urged ILO and IFAD to start looking beyond just equipping youths with relevant skills, but also help them with start-up capital for businesses.
Managing Director for Naturals Limited, Towera Jalakasi has since commended IFAD and ILO for the grant given to her company as she managed to train youths and produce oil from baobab fruits.
