By Wellington Sibale
Neno, April 16, Mana: Government has disbursed start-up packages worth over K38 million to 111 youths in Neno District to help them establish small scale businesses after completing three months training in piggery, crops and poultry production under the National Youth Service (NYS) programme.
The start-up package includes: 40 piglets, 200 bags of maize bran, 400 black Australorp chicks, 200 hylines chicks, 80 bags of chicken feed, potatoes and maize seeds.
Speaking on Tuesday during the youth graduation and handover of the packages, Neno District Commissioner, Rosemary Nawasha said the initiative aligns with Malawi’s Agenda 2063, adding that this also reflects government commitment in building sustainable livelihoods for young people.
“We believe the start-up packages will empower our youths to become productive and self-reliant. Our hope is that their enterprises will not only thrive but also create jobs and contribute to national economic development,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Madalitso Namaona thanked government for providing the startup packages saying the items will uplift their livelihood.
“This is a turning point for us. With the skills and resources, we are ready to start businesses and even employ fellow youths,” she said.
She therefore asked government to continue with the programme, saying this will allow more youths in the district to become economically self-reliant.
Neno Integrated Youth Development Centre Manager who is also the District Youth Officer, Ian Sukai, said the programme was meant to empower youths with relevant skills to contribute to personal, community and national development.
The trained youths are also expected to roll out community programmes to fellow youths in various communities.
He therefore said the 111 beneficiaries comprising 67 males and 44 females, were part of the first NYS cohort, which initially enrolled 118 youths.
Upon graduating, the youths formed eight business groups: YOLISFA, Tingathe, Look Sharp, Muwale, Rise and Shine, Mindset Change, Chikumbe, and Miracle which are currently involved in various agribusinesses such as crop production, piggery, and poultry farming.
Sukali explained that the beneficiaries were expected to operate as cooperatives to ensure collective management of the resources before sharing outputs.
“We want them to understand agribusiness as a sustainable livelihood. By working together first, they can multiply what they have and pass it on to others,” he said.
He therefore, asked the youths to use the packages for intended purposes, saying meaningful investment for sustainable economic empowerment was the right way to go.
The NYS, a flagship government initiative implemented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports was officially launched in July 2022 by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera at the Neno Integrated Youth Development Centre.
The initiative is meant to equip young people with technical and vocational skills for them to become economically productive.
