Muifha Tshifhiwa
Youth business seminar in session
Youth-owned businesses in farming could be granted some funds amounting to thousands of rands if their business ideas are anything to go by.
Sixteen of the 50 youth farmers were successfully convinced the potential investors from National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) following the opportunity afforded to them to present their business ideas during the youth seminar held at Tshipise Forever Resort from 24-28 July 2023. Their businesses were found to be compliant and eligible for funding to grow their farming enterprises.
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) in partnership with National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) have organised this five-day workshop.
The move was to assist youth in Musina to improve their business skills, assess and reinforce their business ideas, be able to conduct market research and be able to prepare their marketing plan.
Ananias Budeli said in his address that, “a young person living in South Africa today is destined to achieve a great deal of success through hard work and dedication. However, if you underestimate your capabilities, you should surely know that your dreams may never be realised and as a result you limit yourself. Hence the department has organised this workshop to enlighten and position you to become successful farmers and run profitable farming enterprises”.
Ndivhuwo Mbulaheni added that farming entrepreneurs should put in place some basic components to ensure that their businesses are profitable such as a business plan, the marketing plan, the staffing, legal responsibilities and insurance, financial planning, start-up capital and action plan.
In conclusion, Augustine Nethononda emphasised the importance of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification if running a farming business. He maintained that the benefits of fully complying with GAP processes are limitless both nationally and globally.
This was to assert youth farmers to put more efforts in their businesses. They were advised that their businesses could be provisionally qualified but still have to go through the application process according to the terms and conditions of the NYDA funding policies.
The seminar hosted the most influential motivational speakers in Talifhani Tshitwamulomoni listed on Forbes 30 under 30 magazine as well as Lyson Baloyi from Old mutual whose lecture was mainly focused on financial literacy
Ananias Budeli, Deputy Director for Vhembe North Agro Ecological Zone, leads the seminar.
Nethengwe Goodenough from NYDA addresses the participants attending a gala dinner at Tshipise Forever resort.
