YOUTHS in three districts of Manicaland last week received loans and farming inputs from Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme (DOMCCP), in a move expected to enhance their economic participation.

About 50 youths from Mutasa, Honde and Nyanga districts benefited from the flexible loan facility.

The youths are into poultry, banana, tomatoes, beans and maize production.

Speaking to The Herald, DOMCCP director Mr Robert Munhenga said supporting rural-based youths would boost productivity.

“Gone are the days when youths would scramble for employment,” he said. “In this era, they must be employers, producers and be able to make use of available resources.

“We intend to bring about a paradigm shift in the current situation where people leave the rural areas to urban areas in search of employment.

“The new strategy is to have a localised business environment which allows those based in rural areas to produce their own products and become self-sufficient while utilising natural resources.”

A beneficiary, Mr Forget Muranganwa, thanked the organisation for the assistance.

“I am very happy as a youth to be provided with the inputs,” he said. “This is going to improve my production as I will be able to cultivate bigger piece of land.

“Big companies which approached us wanted us to have supply consistence which we failed to meet due to inputs shortage. These inputs will increase productivity.”