From proven results to scaling impact: Zimbabwe advances sustainable rural youth employment and green growth with FAO

Marondera - The Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Jae Kyung Park, visited youth‑led agribusiness enterprises supported under the Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment (GJ4RYE) project in Marondera district, Mashonaland East Province. The high‑level field visit, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, provided an opportunity to observe first‑hand the lasting economic and social impacts of the project on rural youth.

During the visit, the Ambassador toured horticulture and livestock production businesses and engaged directly with youth project participants and their mentors, who showcased the sustained impact of Phase I of the project and its legacy seven years after the project started. The visit also formed part of ongoing dialogue around a proposed Phase II of the initiative, aimed at expanding successful models and deepening employment creation for rural youth through inclusive, green agrifood systems.

“Today, the young people you have met are no longer waiting for jobs. They are running businesses, employing others, producing food, adding value, and contributing to their local economies. We invite the Republic of Korea to join us in this Phase II, to move from success to scale, from pilots to systems, and from opportunity to transformation,” said Patrice Talla, Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative to Zimbabwe.

FAO noted that preparations for the next phase of the project are underway, with co‑financing being explored to support Phase II implementation. The proposed scale‑up seeks to deepen youth engagement through green jobs and digitalization, positioning rural youth at the centre of agrifood systems transformation, employment creation and sustainable economic growth.

During the visit, youth project participants, supported by technical and business mentors, showcased their operations and innovations, providing first‑hand insight into how the project has translated skills development, mentoring and start‑up support into viable rural livelihoods, even years after its completion.

"Your Excellency, the resounding success of Phase I provides both confidence and evidence for a Phase II—a scaled-up intervention designed to reach thousands of young rural people more, deepen digital and financial inclusion, and fortify multi-ministerial policy coherence. Phase II would prioritize not only scale but also quality and sustainability, through accredited competency-based training, advanced mentorship models, and stronger linkages to national policies and strategies,” said Carista Nobert Masiwa Provincial Director for Mashonaland East in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.  

Building on FAO’s wider technical portfolio such as Digital Villages Initiative, One Health, Mechanization and Climate-Smart and resilient agriculture, agri-SME acceleration and inclusive finance, and competency-based training, the Phase II for empowering Zimbabwean youth through green jobs and digitalization in agrifood systems is designed for national relevance, with plans to reach more than 5,000 young people, provide skills training to at least 1,500 rural youth, support 500 youth into decent green jobs through wage employment, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship, equip 60 digital facilitators across districts, support 20 to 48 scalable youth led agribusinesses through a Business Accelerator Programme, and indirectly benefit over 20,000 people through jobs, services, and improved food security.

“Experiences from completed projects over the past four years demonstrate that there is no single model for success. Listening to young people today reveals a similar direction: they adapt lessons from practice to their own contexts, turning agriculture into a viable, real‑world livelihood and achieving meaningful improvements long after the project ended,” said His Excellency Jae Kyung Park, Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Zimbabwe.

The Ambassador’s reflections were echoed by the Government of Zimbabwe, which underscored the importance of sustained investment in youth‑centred agrifood systems and strong development partnerships. Closing the high‑level field visit, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training highlighted the project’s role in unlocking rural youth potential.

“I commend the young beneficiaries of this project for their dedication, creativity, and resilience. You are living proof that, with the right support, rural youth can become successful agripreneurs, employers, and champions of sustainable development. I thank the Government of the Republic of South Korea, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), FAO, and all stakeholders involved for this impactful intervention. We look forward to deepening and expanding this partnership for the benefit of Zimbabwe’s young people,” said Mr Solomon Mhlanga, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.

FAO welcomed the continued support of the Republic of South Korea and emphasized that the successes of Phase I and the lessons learned over seven years offer a compelling case for other development partners to join in. Investing in youth-led agribusiness and green jobs offers a powerful pathway to sustainable economic growth, social transformation and resilient agrifood systems across rural Zimbabwe.

A snapshot of reflections from the high-level field tour

At 32 years old, Tinei Matanga runs a horticulture enterprise specialising in carrots and potatoes in Ward 17 of Marondera District. Production currently covers 0.7 hectares of carrots and 1 acre of potatoes, with a main production cycle running from November to mid-February. Asked by the Ambassador about how his life has been transformed by this project

“Before this project, I was the local work-horse, I was known for my hard work and always hired by almost all the farmers in this community. Now, I am the one employing other young people, helping many move away from drugs, and giving them the chance to dream of a better life through green jobs.”

Media amplifying the voices of the youth: Tinei being interviewed by the national broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation during the field visit.  © FAO/Kevin Mazorodze

Another beneficiary visited during the field tour was Justice Rushesha, a livestock producer from Ward 17, Marondera District, supported under the GJ4RYE project through a cattle pen‑fattening and breeding enterprise.

“Thanks to the training and support for my cattle, I have learned disease management and improved breeding practices. My animals are healthier, grow faster, and provide a reliable source of income for my family,” he explained.

His wife added, “The project has also improved our family life. With the stability and income from the farm, domestic tensions have reduced, and our household is more peaceful.”

From the mentor’s perspective

Maybe Mutanga, the Project’s Youth Business Mentor speaking during the high-level visit © FAO/Kevin Mazorodze

“As a result of the project, young beneficiaries have recorded significant positive changes in their lives, including improved livelihoods and more stable living conditions. Many have moved away from harmful coping behaviours and are now productively engaged in income‑generating activities. Through their enterprises, they are not only improving their own standard of living through building their own homes but are also creating employment opportunities for other young people within their communities. Beyond employment creation, the project has fostered a strong culture of learning and innovation among participants, years after its completion” said Maybe Mutanga, the Project’s Youth Business Mentor.