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The Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change has called for youth-driven policy solutions and the active involvement of young people in agroecological activities.
Caucus co-Chairperson and Itezhi-Tezhi Member of Parliament, Twaambo Mutinta, said engaging youths in agroecology would enhance nutrition, create jobs, strengthen value chains, and build resilience among smallholder farmers.
Speaking during a youth policy workshop on sustainable agriculture held at Palmwood Lodge in Lusaka, Mutinta emphasized that agriculture should be treated as a science- and culture-based transformation rooted in communities, with youth at the center.
“We must ensure that young people are central to discussions on agroecology and climate change. Policymakers and lawmakers must be held accountable for creating smart, sustainable policies that reflect the voices of youth,” Mutinta said.
He cautioned that the rising cost of fertilizer and shrinking natural resources were posing a serious threat to food security in Zambia and globally.
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Mutinta urged youths not to leave sustainable agriculture to the older generation but to embrace farming as a viable and rewarding career path.
“Farming does not require a license. Young people must protect this industry from harmful practices and champion agroecology, which offers real solutions to the agricultural challenges we face,” he said.
He also commended the Young Emerging Farmers Initiative (YEFI), which organised the workshop, describing it as a formidable organisation fostering practical solutions to climate change and encouraging youth participation in agroecology.
YEFI Executive Director, Richard Kachungu, said the ongoing policy dialogue aimed to empower young people to contribute recommendations to the reviewed agriculture policies and the draft national agroecology strategy.
“Young people, especially in rural areas, often struggle to access financial services because banks perceive them as high-risk. YEFI plays a key role in helping them access opportunities, raise awareness about agroecology, and become agents of change,” he said.
The workshop highlighted the need for youth-focused agricultural policies, increased financing for climate-smart farming, and greater community education on agroecological practices, especially as Zambia grapples with the growing impacts of climate change.
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