By Patience Kapinda

Lilongwe, June 28, MANA: The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYC) says it is committed in empowering young entrepreneurs in agriculture through its Empowering Youth in Agriculture (EYA) programme. 

Director of Programmes at NYC, Williot Lumbe said the organisation has helped over 500 youths by providing them with loans to expand their businesses and supporting them to export their products outside the country. 

"We are not just giving them cash, but we are buying equipment equivalent to that money, Our goal is to empower them to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute to the country's economic growth." He said

NYC has partnered with various organizations, including the National Enterprise Empowerment Fund (NEEF), Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), Centenary Bank, and others, to provide loans and support to young entrepreneurs. 

"We are ensuring that government is taking a big part in this initiative,"  Lumbe added.

The programme recently organized a business pitch competition where youths from various districts, including Mchinji, Mzimba, and Ntchisi, gathered to showcase their innovative ideas and products.

The competition aims at identifying and supporting talented young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, providing them with the necessary resources to grow their businesses. 

The winners of the competition will receive equipment worth K3.5 million, which will be used to enhance their production capabilities.

Chairlady of the Chimwemwe Youth Club Mphatso Gondwe, one of the participating groups, expressed her gratitude to NYC for the support. 

"NYC has taught us how to empower ourselves, We came up with soya milk and coffee products, which are unique and of high quality." she said.

Gondwe expressed her hope about the possibility of winning the competition, which would enable them to purchase a machine to increase their milk production to 5,000 liters per week and irrigation equipment to enhance their farming capabilities.

She said by providing them with the necessary resources and support, NYC is helping to create a new generation of successful entrepreneurs who will contribute to the country's economic growth and development.