Ministry of Labour Urges Trainers of Trainers to Share Agro-Food Processing Knowledge with Youth
Malawi's Ministry of Labour encourages TOTs to share agro-food processing skills with youth, writes Royal Kasiya.
CHIRADZULU, Malawi — The Ministry of Labour has called upon the Trainers of Trainers (TOT), who recently completed a three-week training in agro-food processing at Magomero Community Development College in Chiradzulu district, to pass on their knowledge and skills to the youth in their respective districts, writes Royal Kasiya.
The Principal Quality Assurance Officer in the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Simplex Gondwe, made the request during the official closing ceremony of the Agro-Food Processing TOT-GIZ Empowering Youth in Agribusiness (EYA) Project held at Magomero Community Development College's multipurpose hall on May 27, 2023.
Gondwe emphasized the significant impact the acquired knowledge and skills can have on the successful implementation of the project, urging the TOTs to effectively convey the training to empower youth engagement in agribusiness.
He expressed his sincere gratitude to GIZ and other development partners for their support, acknowledging their efforts in ensuring the project's success.
Gondwe stated, "The knowledge and skills you have obtained will assist the youth to engage in agribusiness if properly conveyed."
Ackim Kress, a representative of GIZ Team Leader, pledged full support for the project's implementation and emphasised the importance of youth participation in agro-food processing and agribusiness in Malawi.
Kress recognised the country's agriculture-based economy and the potential for youth training in agribusiness to boost economic growth, aligning with Malawi's sustainable development goals for 2063.
Kress stated, "GIZ understands that Malawi's economy is agri-based. With youths being the largest group in the population, I believe that training youths in agribusiness will boost the country's economy. This will help Malawi as a nation achieve its 2063 sustainable development goals."
James Muhowa, the AFC EYA representative, commended GIZ and other implementing entities for their financial and technical support.
He assured the public of the project's successful implementation, highlighting its potential to enhance youth self-reliance.
Muhowa expressed, "Being a pilot project, I assure the general public that it will be implemented successfully. I understand that the project will help the youth become self-reliant."
Ms. T. Mtapaonga, the principal of Magomero Community Development College, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the college by GIZ and the Ministry of Labour.
She emphasised the institution's belief in skill development as the foundation for sustainable development, emphasising the significance of agro-food processing in achieving this goal.
Mtapaonga said, "I am very glad that you allowed the trainers of trainers to be trained here. This has demonstrated that you trust in what we offer as far as agro-food processing is concerned. As an institution, we believe that skill development is the root of sustainable development."
The Principal for the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare assured implementing partners of the ministry's commitment to working closely with all Community Development Centres nationwide to ensure the project's successful implementation.
The principal stated, "The Ministry of Gender will ensure that there is a strong relationship between the ministry and all Community Development Centres across the country so that the project shall meet its goals."
Elias Ziyambo, a representative of the TOT group, commended the training's success and its benefits for both trainers and individuals.
He highlighted the trainers' commitment to using their newly acquired skills to promote self-reliance among Malawian youth through agribusiness.
Additionally, the training will enable individuals to process agricultural products that would have otherwise gone to waste, creating various consumables.