This project will provide the education and resource for 40 youth to begin peanut cultivation, an important crop in Zambia, putting an end to the perception that youths cannot do anything worthwhile in society. This goes together with low self-esteem which has reduced them to mere vulnerable citizens susceptible to abuse and exploitation. It will bring about positive thinking among youths who will utilize land as the key natural resource as the tool for economic development.
The issues of youth unemployment, prostitution, school dropouts, high tertiary education fees and several other social vices have reduced the youth in Zambia to a level of frustration, despair and shock. Zambian society is so rigid where it comes to youth involvement in decision making. This has perpetrated the tendency of exploitation and talking on their behalf by elders. Giving youths the financial muscle will also give them the right and power to speak out on these social ills.
This project will give skills to (40) youths so that they produce a good groundnut crop that will supply other youths (400).The concept of outgrower scheme (a strategy recommended by IFAD) shall be employed to reduce risk for producers and buyers. The crop shall be sold to the organization's cooking oil plant that shall offer steady and ready market to the youths. Proceeds in form of cash shall them go towards the financing of all sorts of the beneficiaries concerns and shall go on indefinitely.
In the long term, it is anticipated that the project will drive the youths of Petauke district towards economic success using land and acquired skills as the only means for success. The society shall appreciate that youths, if handled well, can make wonders. The empowerment of 400 youths should see to it that above 2000 youths are empowered within 3 years.
