Part of the 698 heifers that President Mnangagwa handed over to youths across all the provinces under the National Youths Livestock Scheme in Kwekwe.

Youths have thanked President Mnangagwa for introducing various empowerment programmes across economic sectors and have particularly hailed last week’s launch of a heifer scheme and farming development centres under the Provincial Integrated Youths Skills Development Centres (PIYSDCs).

The President launched PIYSDCs for the country’s 10 provinces where over 5 000 youths will be recruited at each centre each year to be trained in modern practical agriculture and the associated skills.

He also launched the incubation centres at DCK Farm in Kwekwe last Friday where he distributed nearly 700 heifers which will be shared among youths across the provinces under the President Heifer Pass-on Scheme, an initiative by the Second Republic aimed at empowering the younger generation.

Under the PIYSDCs, the President directed each provincial minister to identify a 500-hectare land to be dedicated to youth projects.

In Mashonaland East, a youth from Seke, Batsirai Kashambe, thanked the President for the initiative saying this would ensure that they were empowered and contributed meaningfully to national development.

“We are happy with this programme launched by our President. As youths, we are aware that our President is aiming to empower us.

“He wants us to also participate in the economic building of this country. We are sure that every youth in the province will benefit from this programme. We thank the President once again,” Kashambe said.

Another youth from Goromonzi, Arthur Chideme, who recently received cattle, hailed the President’s initiative of improving the cattle herd in the country and empowering youths.

“We want to thank President Mnangagwa for this initiative of improving the national herd and in the process empowering us. The youths in all provinces are more than grateful.

“This initiative will also improve our livelihoods and it is in line with Vision 2030 of attaining an Upper Middle Income Economy.”

ZANU PF Midlands Provincial Youth chair, Cde Ernest Dzoro said the initiative by the President was going to change the lives of youths for the better.

“We are very grateful to the President for walking his talk on empowering youths. He has reiterated that no one should be left behind and youths should be empowered to participate in mainstream agriculture,” Cde Mr Dzoro

Masvingo youth Pastor Isaac Makomichi said the move by President Mnangagwa was a masterstroke that would transform the lives of young people in Zimbabwe as the country gears towards Vision 2030.

Mr Charles Munganasa weighed in saying the youths from Masvingo were very grateful for the gesture by the government to empower young people through livestock and land provision.

“The President has just proved that empowerment is not just a word in the dictionary but it’s an action-oriented practice which can only be done by leaders and statesmen who have great plans for future generations. Vision 2030 is increasingly morphing from an idea to reality,” said Mr Munganasa.

Youths in Mashonaland West also welcomed the Presidential youth empowerment scheme with recently elected Zanu PF provincial youth chairman Cde Tapiwa Masenda saying the scheme was going to uplift the lives of many youths in the province.

Another party member, Cde Silas Chimbiro, who attended the launch last Friday, thanked President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for having initiatives that financially supported the youths.

“We are grateful to the President for the scheme. This is going to improve youths participation in nation-building,” said Cde Chimbiro.

Youthful farmer, Mr Gerald Mashiri of Daniel Farm in Zvimba North, was optimistic of accessing farming equipment through Government initiatives to fully utilise his farm all year-round.

He has put 60ha under maize with 30ha under the Agro-yield Scheme. Youths in Mashonaland Central also thanked President Mnangagwa for recognising and empowering them through the launch of agriculture incubation hubs across the country.

Former provincial youth chairperson Cde Esrom Nhete said they would ensure that the 500 hectares for the project would be shared equally across the province’s eight districts.

“All youths including those in marginalised communities like Mbire, Muzarabani Mukumbura will benefit. Youths living with disability will be prioritised.

“The province was given 80 breeding stock and we will ensure they are distributed after everyone has been trained on the project.

“We also received starter packs for the projects. This is the first of its kind and we thank the President for having the youths at heart.”