Youth urged to engage in agribusiness

Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine has asked youth to start agribusinesses sinceUganda is endowed with fertile soils and good climate. He advised the not to shun because they think it is not a ‘cool trade' yet it's the backbone of our economy.

Speaking during the Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship camp Namugongo-Kyoto Spiritual Resort in Wakiso on Thursday, organised by Uhuru Institute of Social Development, Bobi Wine encouraged commercial agriculture saying there an immense opportunity, because of the availability of ready market for food.

"Agricultural products are most highly consumed commodity because people have to eat to survive. But don't just be subsistence farmers. Go out to the markets. I tell you, we have no excuse not to farm," he stated.

The training saw over 100 youth from different parts of the country trained in different areas of civic responsibility, entrepreneurship, business productivity and personal development among others. They were also trained on leadership skills.

"I am a proud farmer and I often take my children to my farm in Magere in Wakiso and they dig. They don't just watch. I want them to know that food is grown and we have to work hard for it," he noted. 

Unemployment

The music-tuned politician said youth constitute significant segment of Uganda's population, yet   statistics show that 50% of them are unemployed. Bobi Wine describes it a s a major setback.

"When you have young energetic minds that have no significant roles, they are bound to channel their energies to unworthy ventures like gambling and even crime," he revealed.

Stephen Omongin Odeke, the programme officer, said activities such as poultry farming and growing vegetables don't need someone to be a university graduate. He said there's idle land in some parts of the country which has attracted encroachers or government take over for different programmes.

However, Odeke said, the Government should invest more in education that emphasizes imparting skills to the learners other than the theoretical content. He said lack of practical skills have increased unemployment levels among the youth.

What youth say?

Gilbert Kahima from Kabale District said the different training he got from Uhuru Institute helped him to start Irish potatoes on his 5 acre piece of land. He said he also grows vegetables and rear rabbits and is currently getting some good income from the sale of produce.

Ronald Ayiasi, a student from Makerere University said there's need for youth to start business initiatives irrespective of other people's opinions on it. He said the youth should take a lead.

Laura-Angel Kyakunzire (from Wakiso), one of the participants said many youth think that white collar jobs are the best opportunities for people's prosperity forgetting that there are small opportunities that can generate them money such as small business enterprises.